John 10:18 Commentary - Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary

1) "No man taketh it from me," (oudies heren auten ap' emou) "No one took it from me." To the end He had power to choose another time of exit from life as He asserted, Mat 26:53.

2) "But I lay it down of myself." (all' ego tithemi auten ap' emautou) "But I lay it down from myself," from my own choice, for the redemption of the whole world and the purchase of the church with His own blood, Heb 2:9; Act 20:28; Eph 5:25.

3) "I have power to lay it down," (eksousian echo theinai auten) "I hold the authority to lay it down," or to retain it, a thing men do not have, Joh 3:35; Joh 12:32.

4) "And I have power to take it again." (kai eksousian echo palin labein auten) "And I have, hold, or own authority to take it again," to reserve it, Joh 2:19; Joh 14:1-3.

5) "This commandment have I received of my Father." (tauten ten entolen elabon para tou patros mou "This commandment I received directly from my Father," to dispose of His life and begin or resume it again, Joh 6:38; Rom 8:11. In doing this He was fulfilling the will and purpose of His Father.