John 10:17 kjv
Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
John 10:17 nkjv
"Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again.
John 10:17 niv
The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life?only to take it up again.
John 10:17 esv
For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again.
John 10:17 nlt
"The Father loves me because I sacrifice my life so I may take it back again.
John 10 17 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| John 10:11 | I am the good shepherd... | Divine Shepherd Identity |
| John 10:15 | ...and I lay down my life for the sheep. | Voluntary Sacrifice |
| John 10:18 | No one takes it from me, but I lay it down myself. | Self-initiated Sacrifice |
| John 3:16 | For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son... | God's Love & Gift of Son |
| Romans 5:8 | But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. | Christ's Death for Sinners |
| Philippians 2:8 | And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! | Obedience unto Death |
| Hebrews 9:14 | ...how much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God. | Christ's Perfect Sacrifice |
| 1 Peter 3:18 | For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God... | Righteous for Unrighteous |
| Acts 2:24 | But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. | Resurrection Victory |
| 1 Corinthians 15:3 | ...that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, | Centrality of Resurrection |
| Ephesians 1:20 | ...that he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, | Power in Resurrection |
| Hebrews 12:2 | ...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. | Endurance for Joy |
| John 1:14 | The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us... | Incarnation |
| John 1:18 | No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known. | Revelation of God |
| John 2:19 | Jesus replied, "Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days." | Prophecy of Resurrection |
| John 5:26 | For as the Father has life in himself, so he granted the Son life in himself. | Source of Life |
| John 6:54 | Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life... | Life in Christ |
| John 14:6 | Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." | Christ is the Life |
| Colossians 1:13 | For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, | Deliverance from Darkness |
| Acts 4:12 | Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” | Exclusive Salvation |
| Revelation 1:18 | I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades. | Christ's Authority over Death |
| 1 Thessalonians 4:14 | For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. | Resurrection of Believers |
| Psalm 22 | Many Messianic prophecies of suffering and resurrection. | Old Testament Messianic |
John 10 verses
John 10 17 Meaning
Jesus states that He is laying down His life, which He has the authority to do, and that He will take it up again, a testament to His divine power over life and death. This act of laying down His life is voluntary and motivated by His love for humanity, a voluntary sacrifice for the salvation of believers. His subsequent taking up of His life signifies His resurrection, a demonstration of His victory over sin and death.
John 10 17 Context
This verse occurs within John's Gospel, specifically in chapter 10, where Jesus is dialoguing with the Jewish leaders (Pharisees). Jesus has just healed a man born blind and then spoken about His role as the Good Shepherd who cares for His sheep. The preceding verses (John 10:1-10) describe Jesus as the gate for the sheep, contrasting Himself with thieves and robbers who do not enter through the gate. The leaders had previously rejected Jesus' claims and attempted to stone Him (John 8:59; 10:31), indicating an ongoing polemic. Jesus is presenting Himself as having divine authority, unique in His relationship with the Father and His power over life and death.
John 10 17 Word Analysis
- “The Father”: Refers to God the Father, emphasizing Jesus' unique filial relationship. It underscores that His authority is derived from and co-extensive with the Father's divine nature.
- Significance: Highlights the oneness of essence and authority between Jesus and the Father (John 10:30).
- “loves me”: Signifies a unique, intrinsic love based on Jesus' divine Sonship and obedience.
- Significance: This love is the basis for the Father granting Jesus His divine authority and commission.
- “because I”: Indicates the reason for the Father's love and granted authority.
- “lay down”: (Greek: tithemi) Means to place down, to put aside. In this context, it signifies Jesus' voluntary submission to death.
- Significance: Emphasizes that His death is not forced upon Him but is a deliberate act of self-sacrifice.
- “my life”: Refers to His physical existence, His human life, and possibly even His pre-incarnate divine existence in its manifestation.
- “the authority”: (Greek: exousia) Power, right, liberty, ability. It denotes legitimate authority derived from God.
- Significance: Jesus is asserting that His ability to lay down His life and take it up again is not a matter of chance but a God-given authority.
- “to lay it down”: Repeats the deliberate action of offering His life.
- “and”: Connects the act of laying down life with taking it up again, presenting them as a unified divine operation.
- “to take it up again”: (Greek: lambanozoō aïa palin). "Lambano" can mean to take, receive, grasp. "Palin" means again, anew. It points to the resurrection.
- Significance: Jesus is claiming the power of resurrection for Himself, demonstrating His dominion over death.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "The Father loves me because I lay down my life": This links divine love with willing sacrifice, a reciprocal relationship where the Father’s love enables Jesus' mission, and Jesus’ obedience in sacrifice honors that love and the Father’s will.
- "that I may take it up again": This phrase connects the sacrifice directly to the resurrection, showing them as inseparable parts of Jesus' redemptive plan, initiated by His own divine authority and love.
John 10 17 Bonus Section
This verse highlights the dual nature of Christ: His humanity (indicated by "life" that can be "laid down") and His divinity (indicated by the "authority" to both lay down and take up life). His authority is not external but intrinsic, stemming from His divine essence. The concept of "laying down His life" is a foundational aspect of His atoning work, underscoring that His death was a sacrifice intended to redeem. The sequence – laying down then taking up again – is crucial, showing that the sacrifice is the precursor to the victory, a victory that belongs solely to Him to enact. This contrasts sharply with any other human leader who might die, but none possess the inherent authority to return from the grave on their own power. This verse echoes themes from the Old Testament prophecies concerning the Suffering Servant, who would offer Himself as a sacrifice for sin and be exalted (Isaiah 53).
John 10 17 Commentary
Jesus' declaration in John 10:17 is a profound assertion of His deity and His active role in salvation. He reveals that His death is not an accidental defeat but a voluntary, purposeful offering, motivated by the Father's love and His own perfect obedience. This act of laying down His life is what secures His right and power to take it up again in resurrection. This sets Him apart as the Good Shepherd who doesn't flee when danger comes but willingly sacrifices Himself for His flock, possessing the inherent divine authority to overcome death. His resurrection is the proof and vindication of His sacrificial love and His authority over the entire created order, especially life and death.
- The "laying down" is a conscious, voluntary choice.
- The "authority" to do so originates from His divine nature and His Father's commission.
- The "taking it up again" signifies His victory over death through resurrection, guaranteeing eternal life for those who follow Him.