Albert Barnes Commentary John 10:18

"No one taketh it away from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment received I from my Father." — John 10:18 (ASV)

No man taketh it from Me. That is, no one could take it by force, or unless I was willing to yield Myself into his hands.

He had power to preserve His life, as He showed by so often escaping from the Pharisees; He voluntarily went up to Jerusalem, knowing that He would die; He knew the approach of Judas to betray Him; and He expressly told Pilate at his tribunal that Pilate could have no power at all against Him unless it were given to him by His Father (John 19:11).

Jesus had a right to lay down His life for the good of humankind. The patriot dies for his country on the field of battle; the merchant exposes his life for gain; and the Son of God had a right to put Himself in the way of danger and of death, when a dying world needed such an atoning sacrifice.

This shows the unique love of Jesus. His death was voluntary. His coming was voluntary—the fruit of love. His death was the fruit of love. He was permitted to choose the time and mode of His death. He did. He chose the most painful, lingering, ignominious manner of death then known to man, and THUS showed His love.

I have power. This word often means authority. It includes all necessary power in this case, and the commission or authority of His Father to do it.

Power to take it again. This shows that He was divine. A dead man has no power to raise himself from the grave.

And since Jesus had this power after He had died, it proves that there was some other nature than that which had expired, to which the term 'I' could still be applied. None but God can raise the dead; and as Jesus had this power over His own body, it proves that He was divine.

This commandment. My Father has appointed this, and commissioned Me to do it.