17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life-only to take it up again.
17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again.
17 This is why the Father loves me: because I freely lay down my life. And so I am free to take it up again.
17 Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again.
17 "The Father loves me because I sacrifice my life so I may take it back again.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on John 10:17
Commentary on John 10:10-18
(Read John 10:10-18)
Christ is a good Shepherd; many who were not thieves, yet were careless in their duty, and by their neglect the flock was much hurt. Bad principles are the root of bad practices. The Lord Jesus knows whom he has chosen, and is sure of them; they also know whom they have trusted, and are sure of Him. See here the grace of Christ; since none could demand his life of him, he laid it down of himself for our redemption. He offered himself to be the Saviour; Lo, I come. And the necessity of our case calling for it, he offered himself for the Sacrifice. He was both the offerer and the offering, so that his laying down his life was his offering up himself. From hence it is plain, that he died in the place and stead of men; to obtain their being set free from the punishment of sin, to obtain the pardon of their sin; and that his death should obtain that pardon. Our Lord laid not his life down for his doctrine, but for his sheep.