John Calvin Commentary John 11:52

"and not for the nation only, but that he might also gather together into one the children of God that are scattered abroad." — John 11:52 (ASV)

And not for that nation only. The Evangelist means that the reconciliation effected by Christ is also extended to the Gentiles. But how is it that those who, as a consequence of being wretchedly scattered and wandering, became the enemies of God, are here called the children of God? I answer, as has already been said, God had in his heart children, who in themselves were wandering and lost sheep, or rather who were the farthest possible from being sheep, but, on the contrary, were wolves and wild beasts. It is therefore by election that he reckons as the children of God, even before they are called, those who eventually begin to be manifested by faith both to themselves and to others.