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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comRobertson Word Pictures - John 10:18 - 10:18
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
No one taketh it away from me (oudeis airei autēn ap' emou). But Aleph B read ēren (first aorist active indicative of airō, 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 (ap' emautou). The voluntariness of the death of Jesus repeated and sharpened. D omits it, probably because of superficial and apparent conflict with Joh 5:19. But there is no inconsistency as is shown by Joh 3:16; Rom 5:8. The Father “gave” the Son who was glad to be given and to give himself.
I have power to lay it down (exousian echō theinai autēn). Exousia is not an easy word to translate (right, authority, power, privilege). See Joh 1:12. Restatement of the voluntariness of his death for the sheep.
And I have power to take it again (kai exousian echō palin labein autēn). Note second aorist active infinitive in both cases (theinai from tithēmi and labein from lambanō), single acts. Recall Joh 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 (Rom 8:11).
I received from my Father (elabon para tou patros mou). Second aorist active indicative of lambanō. He always follows the Father’s command (entolē) in all things (Joh 12:49.; Joh 14:31). So now he is doing the Father’s will about his death and resurrection.