Joh 10:17-18 | RWP | e4.org | For this reason ( δια τουτο ). Points to the following οτ clause. The Father's love for the Son is drawn out ( ) by the voluntary offering of the Son for the sin of the world ( ). Hence the greater exaltation ( ). Jesus does for us what any good shepherd does ( ) as he has already said ( ). The value of the atoning death of Christ lies in the fact that he is the Son of God, the Son of Man, free of sin, and that he makes the offering voluntarily ( ). That I may take it again ( ινα παλιν λαβω αυτην ). Purpose clause with ινα and second aorist active subjunctive of λαμβανω . He looked beyond his death on the Cross to the resurrection. "The purpose of the Passion was not merely to exhibit his unselfish love; it was in order that He might resume His life, now enriched with quickening power as never before" (Bernard). The Father raised Jesus from the dead ( ). There is spontaneity in the surrender to death and in the taking life back again (Dods).

‏ John 10:17-18

For this reason ( δια τουτο ). Points to the following οτ clause. The Father's love for the Son is drawn out (Joh 3:16) by the voluntary offering of the Son for the sin of the world (Ro 5:8). Hence the greater exaltation (Php 2:9). Jesus does for us what any good shepherd does (10:11) as he has already said (10:15). The value of the atoning death of Christ lies in the fact that he is the Son of God, the Son of Man, free of sin, and that he makes the offering voluntarily (Heb 9:14).

That I may take it again ( ινα παλιν λαβω αυτην ). Purpose clause with ινα and second aorist active subjunctive of λαμβανω. He looked beyond his death on the Cross to the resurrection. "The purpose of the Passion was not merely to exhibit his unselfish love; it was in order that He might resume His life, now enriched with quickening power as never before" (Bernard). The Father raised Jesus from the dead (Ac 2:32). There is spontaneity in the surrender to death and in the taking life back again (Dods).

No one taketh it away from me ( ουδεις αιρε αυτην απ' εμου ). But Aleph B read ηρεν (first aorist active indicative of αιρω, to take away), probably correct (Westcott and Hort). "John is representing Jesus as speaking sub specie aeternitatis" (Bernard). He speaks of his death as already past and the resurrection as already accomplished. Cf. Joh 3:16.

Of myself ( απ' εμαυτου ). The voluntariness of the death of Jesus repeated and sharpened. D omits it, probably because of superficial and apparent conflict with 5:19. But there is no inconsistency as is shown by Joh 3:16; Ro 5:8. The Father "gave" the Son who was glad to be given and to give himself.

I have power to lay it down ( εξουσιαν εχω θεινα αυτην ). Εξουσια is not an easy word to translate (right, authority, power, privilege). See 1:12. Restatement of the voluntariness of his death for the sheep.

And I have power to take it again ( κα εξουσιαν εχω παλιν λαβειν αυτην ). Note second aorist active infinitive in both cases ( θεινα from τιθημ and λαβειν from λαμβανω ), single acts. Recall 2:19 where Jesus said: "And in three days I will raise it up." He did not mean that he will raise himself from the dead independently of the Father as the active agent (Ro 8:11).

I received from my Father ( ελαβον παρα του πατρος μου ). Second aorist active indicative of λαμβανω. He always follows the Father's command ( εντολη ) in all things (12:49f.; 14:31). So now he is doing the Father's will about his death and resurrection.