Keraia
John 10

John 10:18

Jesus the Good Shepherd · John 10:1–21
Read John 10

Translations

Modern
No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of My own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from My Father.”
Traditional
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.
Literal
No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it again. This commandment I received from My Father.”
Latin
Nemo tollit eam a me: sed ego pono eam a meipso, et potestatem habeo ponendi eam, et potestatem habeo iterum sumendi eam. Hoc mandatum accepi a Patre meo.

Interlinear

Greek
English
No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of My own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from My Father.”

Notes

John 10:18

  • No one takes it from Me: The death of the Son was voluntary. Jesus was not a helpless victim of events beyond his control. He chose to give his life freely in obedience and close relationship with the Father (see Acts 2:23–24).

  • The resurrection of Jesus was not an afterthought or a rescue from failure. God cannot be confined by death or a tomb. Because Jesus and the Father are one, Jesus possessed the authority to rise from death.

John 10:1–21

This illustration of a shepherd and his sheep comes from a Middle Eastern perspective of shepherding and Old Testament traditions in first-century AD Jewish culture. God was the shepherd of Israel (Genesis 49:24; Psalms 23; 78:52–53; Isaiah 40:10–11).

Spiritual and political leaders of Israel were also shepherds of God’s people, the flock of God (Isaiah 56:9–12; Jeremiah 23:1–4; Ezekiel 34).

Jesus spoke these words during the Feast of Dedication (see John 10:22). At that time, people remembered both faithful and unfaithful leaders in Israel’s history.

In this setting, Jesus addressed the theme of shepherds. He spoke in a way that echoes Ezekiel 34, where God condemns bad shepherds and promises to care for his people himself. Jesus then identified himself as the good shepherd (John 10:11–14).

John 10:1–42

Chapter 10 continues the series of feast sermons (see study note on 5:1–10:42). Here, the setting is the Feast of Dedication. The timing of this feast is important for understanding the story (see study note on 10:22).

Theme notes and profiles

The Shepherd

Events

Parallels

Psalm 23:1–6 Ezekiel 34:11–24

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Exaltation of Christ Ezekiel, Book of John, Gospel of Power Seven Last Sayings of Jesus Sheep Shepherd Soul

Topics

Christ is God: As Raising Himself from the Dead Jesus, the Christ: Death of Jesus, the Christ: Death of, Voluntary Jesus, the Christ: Omnipotence of Jesus, the Christ: Relation of, to the Father Jesus, the Christ: Son of God Jesus, the Christ: Teaches People (In Jerusalem) Power of Christ: Rising from the Dead Sheep of the People of Christ Sunshine The Atonement was Voluntary The Death of Christ was Voluntary The Humility of Christ: Exhibited in His: Death The Miracles of Christ: His Resurrection The Power of Christ: Exhibited in Raising Himself from the Dead The Resurrection of Christ: Effected by His own Power