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Scripture focus
No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
John 10:18 — KJV
Bible study online
John 10:18
King James Version (KJV)
“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”
— D.L. Moody
John 10:18
Verse 18 of 42
Commentary
Commentary on John 10:18
Theological / DevotionalNo man. Literally, “no one,” a term that might include supernatural beings. The laying down of Jesus’ life for the salvation of man was entirely voluntary. There was no compulsion on the part of His Father (see on v. 17). Nor could Satan have touched His life had He not laid it down voluntarily.
Taketh. Textual evidence is divided (cf. p. 146) between this and the reading “took.” This latter reading could be understood in the sense that Christ’s death was “foreordained before the foundation of the world” (1 Peter 1:20). He was the “Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” (Rev. 13:8). But the offering of His life was voluntary.
Power. Gr. exousia, “authority,” “right,” “privilege,” rather than ability or strength (see on ch. 1:12).
Received of my Father. The procedure was in harmony with the will of God the Father. At the same time it was Christ’s own will to take it up again; it was His free act. The Father and Son were working in full accord with the agreement entered into before the foundation of the world (1 Peter 1:20; PP 63).
By SdaBc