John 10:17

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - John 10:1-18

It is not certain whether this discourse was at the feast of dedication in the winter (spoken of John 10:22), which may be taken as the date, not only of what follows, but of what goes before (that which countenances this is, that Christ, in his discourse there, carries on the metaphor of the sheep, John 10:26, 27, whence it seems that that discourse and this were at the same time); or whether this was a continuation of his parley with the Pharisees, in the close of the foregoing chapter. The... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - John 10:17-18

10:17-18 "The reason why my Father loves me is that I lay down my life that I may take it again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own free will. I have full authority to lay it down, and I have full authority to take it again. I have received this injunction from my Father." Few passages in the New Testament tell us so much about Jesus in so short a compass. (i) It tells us that Jesus saw his whole life as an act of obedience to God. God had given him a task to do, and he... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 10:17

Therefore doth my Father love me ,.... Christ was the object of his Father's love from all eternity, and was loved by him on various accounts; first and chiefly, as his own Son, of the same nature with him, equal to him; and also as Mediator, engaging for, and on the behalf of his chosen people; and likewise as he was clothed with their nature, and even in his state of humiliation; and not only as subject to his ordinances, and obedient to his will, and doing what was pleasing in his sight,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 10:17

Therefore 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 take it away from me, see John... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 10:17

Verse 17 17.On this account the Father loveth me. There is, indeed, another and a higher reason why the Father loveth the Son; for it was not in vain that a voice was heard from heaven, This is my beloved Son, in whom the good-pleasure of God dwells, (Matthew 3:17.) But as he was made man on our account, and as the Father delighted in him, in order that he might reconcile us to himself, we need not wonder if he declares it to be the reason whythe Father loveth him, that our salvation is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 10:1-21

5. Christ the Shepherd of the flock of God . The discourse which now follows was the Lord's parabolic or allegoric reply to the conduct of the Pharisaic malignants. These men, claiming to be infallible guides of the ignorant, to be veritable shepherds of the flock of God, had ignored the advent of the true and good Shepherd, had opposed the Divine call and supreme claim of the Messiah, had set themselves to disturb and dislocate the relations between him and those who saw his glory... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 10:11-21

(3) The functions and responsibilities of the veritable Shepherd , and the relation of the Shepherd to the flock . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 10:11-21

Allegory of the good Shepherd. There is a progress of thought in each allegory. I. THE CHARACTER OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD . "I am the good Shepherd: the good Shepherd giveth his life for the sheep." 1. He is himself " the great Shepherd of the sheep " of whom the prophets stoke . ( Ezekiel 34:23 ; Genesis 49:24 ; Isaiah 40:11 .) 2. This interest in his sheep is manifested in his throwing away his life/or their protection . Like David, he exposes his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 10:16-18

(a) The continuity of the Shepherd-activity , notwithstanding the laying down of his life . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 10:17

Therefore doth the Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I may take it again. The διὰ τοῦτο points to the whole of the previous statement, and ὅτι to a more complete exposition of the precise point in it on which the Divine Father's love ( ἀγαπή ) rests. The "I" and "me" refer to the incarnate Son, i . e . to the Divine-human Personality of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Father loveth me, because , not merely that I lay down my life , for such might be the... read more

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