John 10:17
New International Version
The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again.

New Living Translation
“The Father loves me because I sacrifice my life so I may take it back again.

English Standard Version
For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again.

Berean Standard Bible
The reason the Father loves Me is that I lay down My life in order to take it up again.

Berean Literal Bible
Because of this, the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life, that I might take it again.

King James Bible
Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.

New King James Version
“Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again.

New American Standard Bible
For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it back.

NASB 1995
“For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it again.

NASB 1977
“For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again.

Legacy Standard Bible
For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it again.

Amplified Bible
For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My [own] life so that I may take it back.

Christian Standard Bible
This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life so that I may take it up again.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
This is why the Father loves Me, because I am laying down My life so I may take it up again.

American Standard Version
Therefore doth the Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I may take it again.

Contemporary English Version
The Father loves me, because I give up my life, so I may receive it back again.

English Revised Version
Therefore doth the Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I may take it again.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The Father loves me because I give my life in order to take it back again.

Good News Translation
"The Father loves me because I am willing to give up my life, in order that I may receive it back again.

International Standard Version
This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it back again.

Majority Standard Bible
The reason My Father loves Me is that I lay down My life in order to take it up again.

NET Bible
This is why the Father loves me--because I lay down my life, so that I may take it back again.

New Heart English Bible
Therefore the Father loves me, because I lay down my life, that I may take it again.

Webster's Bible Translation
Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I may take it again.

Weymouth New Testament
For this reason my Father loves me, because I am laying down my life in order to receive it back again.

World English Bible
Therefore the Father loves me, because I lay down my life, that I may take it again.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Because of this the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life, that again I may take it;

Berean Literal Bible
Because of this, the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life, that I might take it again.

Young's Literal Translation
'Because of this doth the Father love me, because I lay down my life, that again I may take it;

Smith's Literal Translation
Therefore does my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Therefore doth the Father love me: because I lay down my life, that I may take it again.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For this reason, the Father loves me: because I lay down my life, so that I may take it up again.

New American Bible
This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again.

New Revised Standard Version
For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
This is why my Father loves me, because I lay down my life, so that I may take it up again.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“Because of this my Father delights in me, because I am laying down my life that I may receive it again.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
For this reason, my Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it again.

Godbey New Testament
Therefore my Father loves Me, because I lay down my soul, that I may take it again.

Haweis New Testament
Therefore doth the Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I may take it again.

Mace New Testament
therefore doth my father love me, because I lay down my life, but I shall reassume it.

Weymouth New Testament
For this reason my Father loves me, because I am laying down my life in order to receive it back again.

Worrell New Testament
On this account My Father loveth Me, because I lay down My soul, that I may take it again.

Worsley New Testament
For this doth the Father love me; because I lay down my life: that I may take it again.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jesus the Good Shepherd
16I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them in as well, and they will listen to My voice. Then there will be one flock and one shepherd. 17The reason the Father loves Me is that I lay down My life in order to take it up again. 18No 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.”…

Cross References
John 3:16
For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Romans 5:8
But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Philippians 2:8-9
And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross. / Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above all names,

Hebrews 2:9
But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because He suffered death, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone.

1 John 3:16
By this we know what love is: Jesus laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.

Romans 6:4
We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may walk in newness of life.

Ephesians 5:2
and walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant sacrificial offering to God.

1 Peter 3:18
For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit,

Revelation 1:18
the Living One. I was dead, and behold, now I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of Death and of Hades.

Matthew 20:28
just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”

Isaiah 53:10-12
Yet it was the LORD’s will to crush Him and to cause Him to suffer; and when His soul is made a guilt offering, He will see His offspring, He will prolong His days, and the good pleasure of the LORD will prosper in His hand. / After the anguish of His soul, He will see the light of life and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant will justify many, and He will bear their iniquities. / Therefore I will allot Him a portion with the great, and He will divide the spoils with the strong, because He has poured out His life unto death, and He was numbered with the transgressors. Yet He bore the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors.

Psalm 16:10
For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol, nor will You let Your Holy One see decay.

Acts 2:24
But God raised Him from the dead, releasing Him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep Him in its grip.

Romans 8:11
And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who lives in you.

1 Corinthians 15:3-4
For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, / that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,


Treasury of Scripture

Therefore does my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.

John 3:25
Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying.

John 15:9,10
As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love…

John 17:4,5,24-26
I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do…

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Account Love Loves Order Reason Receive
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Account Love Loves Order Reason Receive
John 10
1. Jesus is the door, and the good shepherd.
19. Diverse opinions of him.
23. He proves by his works that he is Jesus the Son of God;
31. escapes the Jews;
39. and goes again beyond Jordan, where many believe on him.














The reason
This phrase introduces a causal relationship, indicating a purpose or explanation. In the Greek, the word used is "διὰ τοῦτο" (dia touto), which means "for this reason" or "because of this." It sets the stage for understanding the profound connection between the actions of Jesus and the love of the Father. This highlights the intentionality and divine purpose behind Jesus' mission.

the Father
In the context of the Gospel of John, "the Father" refers to God the Father, the first person of the Holy Trinity. The relationship between Jesus and the Father is central to John's Gospel, emphasizing unity and divine love. Historically, this reflects the Jewish understanding of God as a paternal figure, yet Jesus presents a more intimate and personal relationship.

loves Me
The Greek word for "loves" here is "ἀγαπᾷ" (agapaō), which denotes a deep, unconditional love. This is not merely affection but a profound, divine love that is active and purposeful. The Father's love for the Son is foundational to the Christian understanding of the Trinity, where love is eternally exchanged among the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

is that I lay down My life
The phrase "lay down My life" is significant, as it indicates a voluntary act. The Greek word "τίθημι" (tithēmi) means "to place" or "to set," suggesting a deliberate and willing sacrifice. This reflects the sacrificial nature of Jesus' mission, aligning with the Old Testament concept of the sacrificial lamb, which is fulfilled in Christ's atoning death.

in order to take it up again
This phrase speaks to the resurrection, a cornerstone of Christian faith. The Greek "πάλιν λαβεῖν" (palin labein) means "to take again," indicating not just a return to life but a victorious reclaiming of life. This demonstrates Jesus' authority over life and death, affirming His divinity and the promise of eternal life for believers. The resurrection is not an afterthought but an integral part of the divine plan, showcasing the power and glory of God.

(17) Therefore doth my Father love me . . . For the meaning of this difficult verse, comp. Notes on John 5:17 et seq., and on Philippians 2:8-9. The thought is that in the relation between the Father and the human nature of Christ, the reason of the Father's love is based upon the self-devotion of the Son. He who so loved the world that he gave His only-begotten Son to die for it, loves the Son who of His own will gives Himself to die. It is, if we might presume so to speak, as though the salvation of mankind had called forth a new relation of love between the Father and the Son.

That I might take it again.--This is given as part of the reason of the Father's love; and the words admit of no other construction. At first sight they seem to us paradoxical, beyond and against common feeling. In acts of sacrifice, the fact that that which is lost will be certainly regained, seems to us to take away all value from the act; but here the fact that Christ will lay down His life, is stated to be in order that He may take it again; and this is the foundation of the Father's love! The key to the meaning is in the truth that for Christ the taking again of human life is itself a further sacrifice, and that this is necessary for the completion of the Great Shepherd's work. The scattered sheep during the whole of the world's existence are to be gathered in by Him whose continued union with human nature makes Him at once the Shepherd who gives His life for the sheep, and the Door by whom we ever have access to the Father.

Verse 17. - Therefore doth the Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I may take it again. The διὰ τοῦτο points to the whole of the previous statement, and ὅτι to a more complete exposition of the precise point in it on which the Divine Father's love (ἀγαπή) rests. The "I" and "me" refer to the incarnate Son, i.e. to the Divine-human Personality of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Father loveth me, because, not merely that I lay down my life, for such might be the consequence of helplessness in the presence of victorious and desperate foes. The love which merely "laid down life" would be a Buddha-like self-sacrifice, producing certain moral effects upon the minds of the onlookers, and revealing a large and loving sense of the need of others. Yet in such expression of his sacrificial love he would have relinquished his undertaking. There would have been no more that he could do for his flock, this Shepherd-functions would, in the consummating act, cease, he would be a beautiful Memory, not a living Energy; a glorious Example, not the Author of eternal salvation. He would cease to be the great Shepherd of the sheep. Now the Father's love contemplated more than this, viz. the Lord's own purpose to take up again that life which he was prepared voluntarily to lay down for the sheep. Thus he would indeed die, that he might be more of a Shepherd to them than he had ever been before. How otherwise would he personally bring the other sheep into his flock, or be known of them, as the Father was known by him? Christ declares that after his death he would still exercise royal rights, be as much a Divine-human Personality as ever. Christ, as a sinless Man, the sinless One, might indeed, after the victory over the tempter in the wilderness, or from the Mount of Transfiguration, have returned to the spiritual world without accomplishing an exodus on Golgotha, but he chose, he willed, to lay down his life. Having done this much, he might have joined the great majority, and been their Head and Chief, and left his work to be commented on by others. But such a consummation would have fallen far short of the true and sufficing object of the Father's love. Christ declares that the very end of his death was his resurrection from death. In retaking his life, he is able to continue, on perfectly different terms, the shepherding of his people he becomes in the highest sense, the great Shepherd, the good Shepherd, the archetypal, and the veritable Shepherd of the flock of God.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
The reason
Διὰ (Dia)
Preposition
Strong's 1223: A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.

the
(ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Father
Πατὴρ (Patēr)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3962: Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a 'father'.

loves
ἀγαπᾷ (agapa)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 25: To love, wish well to, take pleasure in, long for; denotes the love of reason, esteem. Perhaps from agan; to love.

Me
με (me)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

[is] that
ὅτι (hoti)
Conjunction
Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.

I
ἐγὼ (egō)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

lay down
τίθημι (tithēmi)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 5087: To put, place, lay, set, fix, establish. A prolonged form of a primary theo to place.

My
μου (mou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

life
ψυχήν (psychēn)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5590: From psucho; breath, i.e. spirit, abstractly or concretely.

in order
ἵνα (hina)
Conjunction
Strong's 2443: In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that.

to take it up
λάβω (labō)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 2983: (a) I receive, get, (b) I take, lay hold of.

again.
πάλιν (palin)
Adverb
Strong's 3825: Probably from the same as pale; anew, i.e. back, once more, or furthermore or on the other hand.


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