John 10:17

John 10:17 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
• New International Version (NIV)The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again.
• English Standard Version (ESV)For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again.
• New King James Version (NKJV)“Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again.

Context of John 10:17

15just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep. 16I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them also. They will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock with one shepherd. “The Father loves me because I sacrifice my life so I may take it back again. 18No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what my Father has commanded.” 19When he said these things, the people were again divided in their opinions about him.

John 10:17 word by word

διὰ τοῦτό με ὁ πατὴρ ἀγαπᾷ ὅτι ἐγὼ τίθημι τὴν ψυχήν μου, ἵνα πάλιν λάβω αὐτήν.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Thereforeδιάdia · through/because ofG1223
• dothἀγαπάωagapaō · to loveG25
• my Fatherὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• my Fatherπατήρpatēr · fatherG3962
• meἐγώegō · I/weG1473
• becauseὅτιhoti · that/since: sinceG3754
• lay downτίθημιtithēmi · to placeG5087
• lifeψυχήpsuchē · soul: lifeG5590
• thatἵναhina · in order that/toG2443
• I might takeλαμβάνωlambanō · to takeG2983
• itαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
• againπάλινpalin · againG3825
• ·οὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778

Cross-references for John 10:17

• John 3:25A debate broke out between John’s disciples and a certain Jew over ceremonial cleansing.
• John 15:9“I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love.
• John 17:4I brought glory to you here on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.
• Isaiah 42:1“Look at my servant, whom I strengthen. He is my chosen one, who pleases me. I have put my Spirit upon him. He will bring justice to the nations.
• Isaiah 53:7He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth.
• Hebrews 2:9What we do see is Jesus, who for a little while was given a position “a little lower than the angels”; and because he suffered death for us, he is now “crowned with glory and honor.” Yes, by God’s grace, Jesus tasted death for everyone.

Commentaries on John 10:17

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 17Therefore doth my Father love me - As I shall be shortly crucified by you, do not imagine that I am abandoned by my heavenly Father, and therefore fall thus into your hands. The Father loveth me particularly on this account, because I am going to lay down my life for the life of the world. Again, do not suppose that I shall be put to death by your rulers, because I have not strength to resist them. I Lay Down my life voluntarily and cheerfully; no one can…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 17I lay down my life - I give myself to die for my people, in Jewish and pagan lands. I offer myself a sacrifice to show the willingness of my Father to save them; to provide an atonement, and thus to open the way for their salvation. This proves that the salvation of man was an object dear to God, and that it was a source of special gratification to him that his Son was willing to lay down his life to accomplish his great purposes of benevolence. That I…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 10-18Verses 10-18 Christ is a good Shepherd; many who were not thieves, yet were careless in their duty, and by their neglect the flock was much hurt. Bad principles are the root of bad practices. The Lord Jesus knows whom he has chosen, and is sure of them; they also know whom they have trusted, and are sure of Him. See here the grace of Christ; since none could demand his life of him, he laid it down of himself for our redemption. He offered himself to be…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 14-17I give my life for the sheep: Jesus was speaking about his coming death. He was referring to his crucifixion (his death on a cross; chapter 19).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 15-1815-18. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father--What claim to absolute equality with the Father could exceed this? (See on Mt 11:27). and I lay down my life for the sheep--How sublime this, immediately following the lofty claim of the preceding clause! It is the riches and the poverty of "the Word made flesh"--one glorious Person reaching at once up to the Throne and down even to the dust of death, "that we might live through Him." A candid…Read the comment

Topics related to John 10:17

• Jesus Continued
• Jesus, the Christ

In the dictionaries

• Fold
• Lay
• Resurrection of Christ
• Sanctify
• Thief
• Atonement
• Children of God
• Christ, Offices of
• Christ, the Exaltation of
• God

Commentaries on John 10

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Catena Aurea
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• John Lightfoot Commentary
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings