The context is Jesus describing himself as a good shepherd, who "dedicates his self in order to get it back." The "it" in this verse refers to the "self."
John 10:18 No man taketh it 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 have I received of my Father.
John 10:18 No 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 command I received from my Father.”
No one remove it from me. Instead, I myself surrender it out of myself. I posssess authority to surrender it and I have authority to get it back. I get this here order issuing from that Father of mine.
Jesus controls to whom he gives his character.
The word "it" in this verse refers to Jesus's self, in the sense of his unique character.The English translation here changes Jesus's words so it seems to refer to Christ's death and resurrection, but as in the previous verses, this is done by changing and adding words. Two different Greek words are translated as "take" while the same Greek word is translated as both "take" and "receive." The words "down" and "up" are added to create the desired impression. The actual sense seems more that Jesus has the power to put his character into his followers and get it back, but that no one can take his character from him. The first word translated as "take" primarily means "to lift ." It is used to mean "remove" in the sense of our word "shoplifting." The same Greek word is translated in this verse as both "take" and "receive" but that word works like our word "get" which can convey both ideas as well as "understanding" something. The "command" here seems to refer to the "power" or "authority" that Jesus has to give and take back his character.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "take" is the same word translated as "take" in the previous verse or later in this verse.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "but" is not the common word usually translated as "but."
- MW -- Missing Word -- The pronoun repeats the information in the verb so it should be repeated in English like "I myself."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "lay" does not capture the specific meaning of the word.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "down" doesn't exist in the source.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "of" does not capture the specific meaning of the word.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "down" doesn't exist in the source.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "commandment" is not shown in the English translation.
- WT - Wrong Tense - The verb "have" indicates the past perfect tense, but the tense is something that happens at a specific point in time (past, present, or future).
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "lay" does not capture the specific meaning of the word.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "father" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "takes" is the same word translated as "take" in the previous verse or later in this verse.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "but" is not the common word usually translated as "but."
- MW -- Missing Word -- The pronoun repeats the information in the verb so it should be repeated in English like "I myself."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "lay" does not capture the specific meaning of the word.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "down" doesn't exist in the source.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "accord" doesn't exist in the source.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "lay" does not capture the specific meaning of the word.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "down" doesn't exist in the source.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "up" doesn't exist in the source.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "commandment" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "father" is not shown in the English translation.
No man -- The Greek adjective translated as "no man" also means "no one," "nothing," and other negative ideas. It is used by Jesus more like a negative pronoun than an adjective.
taketh -- (CW) "Taketh" is not the word translated as "take" in the previous verse, but yet another of Jesus's favorite "multiple meaning" words. It is a verb that means "to raise up," "elevate," "to bear," "to carry off," "to take and apply to any use," "lifted" in the sense of "removed," and "to cause to cease." Jesus uses this verb to refer to what will happen to "the son of man," which can apply either to his being raised from the dead or lifted up on the cross. The "lift" verb also came to mean "remove" in the same way we describe stealing as "shoplifting."
it -- The word translated as "it" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English. It is in a form that matches "self" in the previous verse.
from -- The word translated as "from" means "from" in both locations and when referring to a source or a cause. It also means the instrument "by" which a thing is done and "away from."
me, - "Me" is the first-person possessive singular pronoun. As a genitive object of a preposition, as here, it means movement away from something or a position away from something else.
but -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "but" denotes an exception or simple opposition. It is used to emphasize the contrast between things like we use "instead," "but instead,"or "rather." It is not the common word usually translated as "but." It is the Greek word "other" like we use "otherwise." Jesus often uses this conjunction to connect a negative clause, not doing something, with a positive one, "instead do this."
I -- The pronoun "I" is used here. Since, as the subject of the sentence, it is part of the verb, its explicit use accentuates who is speaking "I." Saying "I myself" captures this feeling in English.
missing "myself" -- (MW) The subjective pronoun repeats the information in the verb so it should be repeated in English like "I myself."
lay -- (CW) The Greek verb translated as "lay" is translated from a Greek word that means primarily "to put," "to dedicate," "to assign," "to award," and "to place," and in the military, "to bear arms," "to lay down and surrender," but which has many related meanings as well.
it -- The word translated as "it" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English. It matches the form of the word "self."
down -- (IW) There is nothing in the Greek that can be translated as "down" in the Greek source.
of -- (CW) The word translated as "of" means "from" in both locations and when referring to a source or a cause. It also means the instrument "by" which a thing is done and "away from."
myself. -- The Greek reflexive pronoun is translated as "myself." It is used primarily as the object of a preposition. As a genitive object means a movement away from something or a position away from something else.
I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.
have -- The word translated as "have" means to "have," "possess," "bear," "keep close," "hold in," "have means to do," "to have due to one," or "keep" and many specific uses. This verb isn't used to form past tenses as the helper verb does in English. Nor does it has the sense of "must" when used with infinitives.
power -- The term translated as "power" isn't the "power" of skill or energy but of authority, control, and the ability to choose.
to -- This "to" is added because the infinitive form of the verb requires a "to" in English.
lay -- (CW) The Greek verb translated as "lay" is translated from a Greek word that means primarily "to put," "to dedicate," "to assign," "to award," and "to place," and in the military, "to bear arms," "to lay down and surrender," but which has many related meanings as well.
it -- The word translated as "it" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English. It matches the form of the word "self."
down, -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "down" in the Greek source.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it is can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."
I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.
have -- The word translated as "have" means to "have," "possess," "bear," "keep close," "hold in," "have means to do," "to have due to one," or "keep" and many specific uses. This verb isn't used to form past tenses as the helper verb does in English. Nor does it has the sense of "must" when used with infinitives.
power -- The term translated as "power" isn't the "power" of skill or energy but of authority, control, and the ability to choose.
to -- This "to" is added because the infinitive form of the verb requires a "to" in English.
take -- The word translated as "receive" primarily means "take." However, it means "receive" in the same sense that we use "get" to mean "receive" and has many different uses as we use "get" in English. Among these are the ideas of "understanding" and "possessing." This is different than the word above, but it is the common word used to mean "take."
it -- The word translated as "it" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English. It matches the form of the word "self."
again. -- The Greek word translated as "again" means "back," "again," and "contradiction."
This -- The "this" is a pronoun that can mean "this" or "that," the nearer or the further depending on usage. It follows the noun so it repeats the idea of the noun as "this one." It is often used in the neuter plural to refer to "these things." As an adverb it can mean "therefore" and "that is why."
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article,"the," which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
commandment -- The word translated as "commandment" has the sense of a direct "order" or "command" given by someone as opposed to a body of law or tradition in society. Jesus uses it to refer to the written Law, his lessons, and the commands given by someone in authority.
have -- (WT) This helping verb "have" indicates that the verb is the tense indicating an action completed in the past. This is not the tense of the verb here.
I - This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.
received -- The word translated as "received" primarily means "take." However, it means "receive" in the same sense that we use "get" to mean "receive" and has many different uses as we use "get" in English. Among these are the ideas of "understanding" and "possessing."
of -- (CW) The Greek preposition translated as "of" has many meanings, many of which depend on the case of its object. With the genitive, the sense is motion, "from the side of," "from beside," and generally "from." With the dative, the sense is static, "by the side of," "near," and "before." With the accusative, its has a number of specialized meanings depending on the character of the verb, with coming/going "near," "beside," with placing "side-by-side," as a metaphor, "like" or "as a parody of, of comparison, "compared with" and many more.
my - "My" is the first-person possessive singular pronoun. This pronoun follows the noun so "of mine."
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article,"the," which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
Father. -- "Father" is the Greek noun that means "father" or any male ancestor so "forefathers." It is the word that Christ uses to address his own Father.
No one -- The Greek adjective translated as "no man" also means "no one," "nothing," and other negative ideas. It is used by Jesus more like a negative pronoun than an adjective.
takes -- (CW) "Takes" is not the word translated as "take" in the previous verse, but yet another of Jesus's favorite "multiple meaning" words. It is a verb that means "to raise up," "elevate," "to bear," "to carry off," "to take and apply to any use," "lifted" in the sense of "removed," and "to cause to cease." Jesus uses this verb to refer to what will happen to "the son of man," which can apply either to his being raised from the dead or lifted up on the cross. The "lift" verb also came to mean "remove" in the same way we describe stealing as "shoplifting."
it -- The word translated as "it" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English. It is in a form that matches "self" in the previous verse.
from -- The word translated as "from" means "from" in both locations and when referring to a source or a cause. It also means the instrument "by" which a thing is done and "away from."
me, - "Me" is the first-person possessive singular pronoun. As a genitive object of a preposition, as here, it means a movement away from something or a position away from something else.
but -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "but" denotes an exception or simple opposition. It is used to emphasize the contrast between things like we use "instead," "but instead,"or "rather." It is not the common word usually translated as "but." It is the Greek word "other" like we use "otherwise." Jesus often uses this conjunction to connect a negative clause, not doing something, with a positive one, "instead do this."
I -- The pronoun "I" is used here. Since, as the subject of the sentence, it is part of the verb, its explicit use accentuates who is speaking "I." Saying "I myself" captures this feeling in English.
missing "myself" -- (MW) The subjective pronoun repeats the information in the verb so it should be repeated in English like "I myself."
lay -- (CW) The Greek verb translated as "lay" is translated from a Greek word that means primarily "to put," "to dedicate," "to assign," "to award," and "to place," and in the military, "to bear arms," "to lay down and surrender," but which has many related meanings as well.
it -- The word translated as "it" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English. It matches the form of the word "self."
down -- (IW) There is nothing in the Greek that can be translated as "down" in the Greek source.
of -- (CW) The word translated as "of" means "from" in both locations and when referring to a source or a cause. It also means the instrument "by" which a thing is done and "away from."
my own -- The Greek reflexive pronoun is translated as "my own." It is used primarily as the object of a preposition. As a genitive object means a movement away from something or a position away from something else.
accord -- (IW) There is nothing in the Greek that can be translated as "accord" in the Greek source.
I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.
have -- The word translated as "have" means to "have," "possess," "bear," "keep close," "hold in," "have means to do," "to have due to one," or "keep" and many specific uses. This verb isn't used to form past tenses as the helper verb does in English. Nor does it has the sense of "must" when used with infinitives.
authority -- The term translated as "authority " isn't the "power" of skill or energy but of authority, control, and the ability to choose.
to -- This "to" is added because the infinitive form of the verb requires a "to" in English.
lay -- (CW) The Greek verb translated as "lay" is translated from a Greek word that means primarily "to put," "to dedicate," "to assign," "to award," and "to place," and in the military, "to bear arms," "to lay down and surrender," but which has many related meanings as well.
it -- The word translated as "it" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English. It matches the form of the word "self."
down, -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "down" in the Greek source.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it is can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."
I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.
have -- The word translated as "have" means to "have," "possess," "bear," "keep close," "hold in," "have means to do," "to have due to one," or "keep" and many specific uses. This verb isn't used to form past tenses as the helper verb does in English. Nor does it has the sense of "must" when used with infinitives.
authority -- The term translated as "authority " isn't the "power" of skill or energy but of authority, control, and the ability to choose.
to -- This "to" is added because the infinitive form of the verb requires a "to" in English.
take -- The word translated as "receive" primarily means "take." However, it means "receive" in the same sense that we use "get" to mean "receive" and has many different uses as we use "get" in English. Among these are the ideas of "understanding" and "possessing." This is different than the word above, but it is the common word used to mean "take."
it -- The word translated as "it" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English. It matches the form of the word "self."
up -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "up" in the Greek source.
again. -- The Greek word translated as "again" means "back," "again," and "contradiction."
This -- The "this" is a pronoun that can mean "this" or "that," the nearer or the further depending on usage. It follows the noun so it repeats the idea of the noun as "this one." It is often used in the neuter plural to refer to "these things." As an adverb it can mean "therefore" and "that is why."
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article,"the," which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
command -- The word translated as "command" has the sense of a direct "order" or "command" given by someone as opposed to a body of law or tradition in society. Jesus uses it to refer to the written Law, his lessons, and the commands given by someone in authority
I - This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.
received -- The word translated as "received" primarily means "take." However, it means "receive" in the same sense that we use "get" to mean "receive" and has many different uses as we use "get" in English. Among these are the ideas of "understanding" and "possessing."
from -- The Greek preposition translated as "from" has many meanings, many of which depend on the case of its object. With the genitive, the sense is motion, "from the side of," "from beside," and generally "from." With the dative, the sense is static, "by the side of," "near," and "before." With the accusative, its has a number of specialized meanings depending on the character of the verb, with coming/going "near," "beside," with placing "side-by-side," as a metaphor, "like" or "as a parody of, of comparison, "compared with" and many more.
my - "My" is the first-person possessive singular pronoun. This pronoun follows the noun so "of mine."
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article,"the," which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
Father. -- "Father" is the Greek noun that means "father" or any male ancestor so "forefathers." It is the word that Christ uses to address his own Father.
οὐδεὶς [69 verses](adj sg masc nom) "No man" is oudeis which means "no one," "not one," "nothing," "naught," "good for naught," and "no matter."
ἦρεν [56 verses](verb 3rd sg aor ind act) "Taketh" is airo, which means "to lift up," "to raise," "to raise up," "to exalt," "to lift and take away," and "to remove." In some forms, it is the same as apaomai, which means to "pray to," or "pray for."
αὐτὴν [720 verses](adj sg fem acc) "It" is autos, which means "the same," and the reflexive pronouns, "myself," "yourself," "himself," "herself," "itself," or the oblique case of the pronouns, "him," "her," and "it." It also means "one's true self," that is, "the soul" as opposed to the body and "of one's own accord." In the adverbial form, it means "just here" or "exactly there."
ἀπ᾽[190 verses](prep) "From" is apo, a preposition of separation which means "from" or "away from" from when referring to place or motion, "from" or "after" when referring to time, "from" as an origin or cause. It also means the instrument "by" which a thing is done. Usually takes the genitive object.
ἐμοῦ, [239 verses](adj sg masc gen) "Me" is from mou (emou), which means "me," and "mine." As a genitive object means movement away from something or a position away from something else.-
ἀλλ᾽[154 verses](conj) "But" is alla, which means "otherwise," "but," "still," "at least," "except," "yet," nevertheless," "rather," "moreover," and "nay."
ἐγὼ [162 verses](pron 1st sg masc nom) "I" is ego, which is the first-person singular pronoun meaning "I." It also means "I at least," "for my part," "indeed," and for myself.
τίθημι [24 verses](verb 1st sg pres ind act ) "Lay" is tithemi which means "to put," "to place," "to propose," "to suggest," "o deposit," "to set up," "to dedicate," "to assign," "to award," "to agree upon," "to institute," "to establish," "to make," "to work," "to prepare oneself," "to bear arms [military]," "to lay down and surrender [military]," "to lay in the grave," "to bury," and "to put words on paper [writing]," and a metaphor for "to put in one's mind."
αὐτὴν [720 verses](adj sg fem acc) "It" is autos, which means "the same," and the reflexive pronouns, "myself," "yourself," "himself," "herself," "itself," or the oblique case of the pronouns, "him," "her," and "it." It also means "one's true self," that is, "the soul" as opposed to the body and "of one's own accord." In the adverbial form, it means "just here" or "exactly there."
ἀπ᾽ [190 verses](prep) "Down of" is apo, a preposition of separation which means "from" or "away from" from when referring to place or motion, "from" or "after" when referring to time, "from" as an origin or cause. It also means the instrument "by" which a thing is done. Usually takes the genitive object.
ἐμαυτοῦ. [15 verses] (pron sg masc gen) "Myself" is emautou, which means "of me," and "of myself".
ἐξουσίαν [23 verses](noun sg fem acc) "Power" is exousia which means "control," "the power of choice," "permission," "the power of authority," "the right of privilege," "abundance of means," and "abuse of power."
ἔχω [181 verses](1st sg pres ind act) "I have" is echo, which means "to have," "to hold," "to possess," "to keep," "to have charge of," "to have due to one," "to maintain," "to hold fast," "to hold in," "to bear," "to carry," "to keep close," "to keep safe," and "to have means to do." In aorist, it can mean "acquire," or "get." The main sense when it has an object is "to have" or "to hold." It can also mean "to without" or "keep back" a thing.
θεῖναι [24 verses](verb aor inf act) "To lay...down" is tithemi which means "to put," "to place," "to propose," "to suggest," "o deposit," "to set up," "to dedicate," "to assign," "to award," "to agree upon," "to institute," "to establish," "to make," "to work," "to prepare oneself," "to bear arms [military]," "to lay down and surrender [military]," "to lay in the grave," "to bury," and "to put words on paper [writing]," and a metaphor for "to put in one's mind."
αὐτήν, [720 verses](adj sg fem acc) "It" is autos, which means "the same," and the reflexive pronouns, "myself," "yourself," "himself," "herself," "itself," or the oblique case of the pronouns, "him," "her," and "it." It also means "one's true self," that is, "the soul" as opposed to the body and "of one's own accord." In the adverbial form, it means "just here" or "exactly there."
καὶ [1089 verses](conj/adv) "And" is kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "also." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."
ἐξουσίαν [23 verses](noun sg fem acc) "Power" is exousia which means "control," "the power of choice," "permission," "the power of authority," "the right of privilege," "abundance of means," and "abuse of power." -- The term translated as "power" isn't the "power" of skill or energy but of authority, control, and the ability to choose.
ἔχω [181 verses](1st sg pres ind act) "I have" is echo, which means "to have," "to hold," "to possess," "to keep," "to have charge of," "to have due to one," "to maintain," "to hold fast," "to hold in," "to bear," "to carry," "to keep close," "to keep safe," and "to have means to do." In aorist, it can mean "acquire," or "get." The main sense when it has an object is "to have" or "to hold." It can also mean "to without" or "keep back" a thing.
πάλιν [23 verses](adv) "Again" is palin, which means "back," "backward," "contradiction," "again," "once more," and "in turn."
λαβεῖν [54 verse](aor inf act) "To take" is lambano means to "take," "take hold of," "grasp," "seize," "catch," "overtake," "find out," "detect," "take as," in Logic, "assume," "take for granted," "understand," "undertake," "take in," "hold," "get," "receive [things]," "receive hospitably," "receive in marriage," "receive as produce," "profit," "admit," "initiate," "take hold of," "lay hold on," "seize and keep hold of," "obtain possession of," "lay hands upon," "find fault with," "censure," "to apprehend with the senses," and "to take hold of." It is also specifically used to mean "seized with emotion."
αὐτήν, [720 verses](adj sg fem acc) "It" is autos, which means "the same," and the reflexive pronouns, "myself," "yourself," "himself," "herself," "itself," or the oblique case of the pronouns, "him," "her," and "it." It also means "one's true self," that is, "the soul" as opposed to the body and "of one's own accord." In the adverbial form, it means "just here" or "exactly there."
ταύτην [96 verses](adj sg fem acc) "This" is tauta, which is a referring pronoun meaning "these," "this," "that," and "here." It can mean the nearer or the further depending on usage. As an adverb it can mean "therefore" and "that is why."
τὴν [821 verses](article sg masc nom) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
ἐντολὴν [23 verses](noun sg fem acc) "Commandment" is entole which means "injunction," "order," and "command."
ἔλαβον [54 verse](1st sg aor ind act) "Have I received," is lambano means to "take," "take hold of," "grasp," "seize," "catch," "overtake," "find out," "detect," "take as," in Logic, "assume," "take for granted," "understand," "undertake," "take in," "hold," "get," "receive [things]," "receive hospitably," "receive in marriage," "receive as produce," "profit," "admit," "initiate," "take hold of," "lay hold on," "seize and keep hold of," "obtain possession of," "lay hands upon," "find fault with," "censure," "to apprehend with the senses," and "to take hold of." It is also specifically used to mean "seized with emotion."
παρὰ [45 verses](prep) "With" is para, has many meanings, which depend on the case of its object and the sense of the verb.With the genitive, the sense is always motion, "from the side of," "from beside," "issuing from", and generally "from." With the dative, the sense is always static, "by the side of," "near," "in the presence of," and "before." With the accusative, its has a number of specialized meanings depending on the character of the verb, with coming/going "near," "beside," with placing "side-by-side," as a metaphor, "like" or "as a parody of, of comparison, "compared with" and many more including "along", "past", "beyond", "parallel (geometry)", "precisely at the moment of (time)," and "throughout (time)."
τοῦ [821 verses](article sg masc gen) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
πατρός [191 verses](noun sg masc gen) "The Father" is pater, which means "father," "grandfather," "author," "parent," and "forefathers."
μου. [239 verses](adj sg masc gen) "My" is from mou (emou), which means "me," and "mine." As a genitive object means movement away from something or a position away from something else.-