Discovery BoxJohn 10:15-18
Context10:15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father – and I lay down my life 1 for 2 the sheep. 10:16 I have 3 other sheep that do not come from 4 this sheepfold. 5 I must bring them too, and they will listen to my voice, 6 so that 7 there will be one flock and 8 one shepherd. 10:17 This is why the Father loves me 9 – because I lay down my life, 10 so that I may take it back again. 10:18 No one takes it away from me, but I lay it down 11 of my own free will. 12 I have the authority 13 to lay it down, and I have the authority 14 to take it back again. This commandment 15 I received from my Father.”
[10:15] 1 tn Or “I die willingly.”
[10:15] 2 tn Or “on behalf of” or “for the sake of.”
[10:16] 3 tn Grk “And I have.” Because of the difference between Greek style, which often begins sentences or clauses with “and,” and English style, which generally does not, καί (kai) has not been translated here.
[10:16] 4 tn Or “that do not belong to”; Grk “that are not of.”
[10:16] 5 sn The statement I have other sheep that do not come from this sheepfold almost certainly refers to Gentiles. Jesus has sheep in the fold who are Jewish; there are other sheep which, while not of the same fold, belong to him also. This recalls the mission of the Son in 3:16-17, which was to save the world – not just the nation of Israel. Such an emphasis would be particularly appropriate to the author if he were writing to a non-Palestinian and primarily non-Jewish audience.
[10:16] 6 tn Grk “they will hear my voice.”
[10:16] 7 tn Grk “voice, and.”
[10:16] 8 tn The word “and” is not in the Greek text, but must be supplied to conform to English style. In Greek it is an instance of asyndeton (omission of a connective), usually somewhat emphatic.
[10:17] 5 tn Grk “Because of this the Father loves me.”
[10:17] 6 tn Or “die willingly.”
[10:18] 8 tn Or “of my own accord.” “Of my own free will” is given by BDAG 321 s.v. ἐμαυτοῦ c.
[10:18] 9 tn Or “I have the right.”
