{No one taketh it away from me} (oudeis airei aut(886e) ap'
emou). But Aleph B read (8872)en (first aorist active indicative
of air(935c), to take away), probably correct (Westcott and Hort).
"John is representing Jesus as speaking _sub specie
aeternitatis_" (Bernard). He speaks of his death as already past
and the resurrection as already accomplished. Cf. Joh 3:16 . {Of
myself} (ap' emautou). The voluntariness of the death of Jesus
repeated and sharpened. D omits it, probably because of
superficial and apparent conflict with 5:19 . But there is no
inconsistency as is shown by Joh 3:16 Ro 5:8 . The Father
"gave" the Son who was glad to be given and to give himself. {I
have power to lay it down} (exousian ech(9320)theinai aut(886e)).
Exousia is not an easy word to translate (right, authority,
power, privilege). See 1:12 . Restatement of the voluntariness
of his death for the sheep.
{And I have power to take it again} (kai exousian ech(9320)palin
labein aut(886e)). Note second aorist active infinitive in both
cases ( heinai from ith(886d)i and labein from lamban(935c)),
single acts. Recall 2:19 where Jesus said: "And in three days I
will raise it up." He did not mean that he will raise himself
from the dead independently of the Father as the active agent
( Ro 8:11 ). {I received from my Father} (elabon para tou patros
mou). Second aorist active indicative of lamban(935c). He always
follows the Father's command (entol(885c)) in all things ( 12:49f. 14:31 ). So now he is doing the Father's will about his death and
resurrection.
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