John 10:17

John 10:17, in plain English

Jesus explains that the Father loves Him because He lays down His life—and He does it so He can take it up again.

Why it's here

The cross isn't the end of the story. Jesus gives up His life with the full intention and power to rise again.

Who's speaking

Jesus reveals why the Father loves Him and connects His death to His resurrection.

Where it sits in the story

Jesus is pulling back the curtain on the plan: His death isn't a defeat. It's a deliberate act of love, and the resurrection was always part of the design.

The scholarly reading

Jesus reveals the Father's love as grounded in His voluntary sacrifice: the Father loves Him 'because' (hoti) He lays down His life, with the stated purpose of taking it up again—pointing to the resurrection.

Language and setting

The phrase 'hina palin labō autēn' (in order to take it up again) frames the crucifixion within the resurrection purpose. The cross is not an end but a means to greater life.

Voice

Jesus explains the Father's love in connection with His voluntary death and resurrection.

Significance

Jesus reframes His impending death as an act of love that deepens the Father-Son relationship and serves the larger purpose of resurrection and new life.

15just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father. And I lay down My life for the sheep.

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.”

19Again there was division among the Jews because of Jesus’ message.

Read all of John 10 — Jesus describes a shepherd who knows every sheep by name and lays down his life for them. The hired hand runs; the good shepherd stays.