John 10:10-11

10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come so that they may have life, and may have it abundantly.

10:11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

John 10:15

10:15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father – and I lay down my life for the sheep.

John 10:17-18

10:17 This is why the Father loves me – because I lay down my life, so that I may take it back again. 10:18 No one takes it away from me, but I lay it down of my own free will. 10  I have the authority 11  to lay it down, and I have the authority 12  to take it back again. This commandment 13  I received from my Father.”


tn That is, “to slaughter” (in reference to animals).

tn That is, more than one would normally expect or anticipate.

tn Or “model” (see R. E. Brown, John [AB], 1:386, who argues that “model” is a more exact translation of καλός [kalos] here).

tn Or “The good shepherd dies willingly.”

tn Or “I die willingly.”

tn Or “on behalf of” or “for the sake of.”

tn Grk “Because of this the Father loves me.”

tn Or “die willingly.”

tn Or “give it up.”

10 tn Or “of my own accord.” “Of my own free will” is given by BDAG 321 s.v. ἐμαυτοῦ c.

11 tn Or “I have the right.”

12 tn Or “I have the right.”

13 tn Or “order.”