Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 10:15
As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
15. As the Father knoweth me, even so, &c.] This rendering entirely obscures the true meaning. There should be no full stop at the end of Joh 10:14, and the sentence should run; I know Mine, and Mine know Me, even as the Father knoweth Me and I know the Father. So intimate is the relation between the Good Shepherd and His sheep that it may be compared to the relation between the Father and the Son. The same thought runs through the discourses in the latter half of the Gospel: Joh 14:20, Joh 15:10, Joh 17:8; Joh 17:10; Joh 17:18; Joh 17:21.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
As the Father knoweth me … – See the Mat 11:27 note; also Luk 10:22 note.
I lay down my life for the sheep – That is, I give my life as an atoning sacrifice for their sins. I die in their place, to redeem them from sin, and danger, and death. See Joh 10:17-18.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
By these words our Saviour openeth how he knew his sheep, and should be again known of them, even as the Father knoweth him, and he knows his Father: this mutual knowledge between the Father and Christ was joined with perfect love and delight. Thus our Saviour knoweth those that are his sheep, not only fully and distinctly, so as to call them all by their names; but so as to love them, delight in them; so as to be ready to lay down his life for their good, and eternal salvation. Christ, to show not only the sincerity, but the degrees, of his love to his people, doth often compare it to the love wherewith his Father loved him, Joh 15:9; 17:23,26. So that if we can believe that God the Father loved Christ his only begotten Son, we may also believe that both the Father and Christ love those that are truly the sheep of Christ. The love that Christ hath to his people is as true and as certain as the Fathers love to Christ, or Christs love to his Father; and this could be showed by no higher act than that of laying down his life, Joh 15:13. Now, saith he,
I lay down, that is, I am ready to lay down, or I shall shortly lay down, my life for the sheep: whether sheep can signify all and every person born into the world, is their concern more strictly to inquire, who are so tenacious of that point. That Christ died equally for all and every man: as also, whether upon that principle that absurdity must not follow. That Christ loved those who shall yet perish eternally, with such a love as the Father loved him, and he loved the Father.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
15-18. As the Father knoweth me,even so know I the FatherWhat claim to absolute equality withthe Father could exceed this? (See on Mt11:27).
and I lay down my life forthe sheepHow sublime this, immediately following the loftyclaim of the preceding clause! It is the riches and the poverty of”the Word made flesh”one glorious Person reaching atonce up to the Throne and down even to the dust of death, “thatwe might live through Him.” A candid interpretation of thewords, “for the sheep,” ought to go far to establishthe special relation of the vicarious death of Christ to the Church.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
As the Father knoweth me,…. These words, with what follow, are in connection with Joh 10:14; and the sense is, that the mutual knowledge of Christ, and his sheep, is like that which his Father and he have of each other. The Father knows Christ as his own Son, and loves him as such, in the most strong and affectionate manner; and has entrusted him with the persons, grace, and glory, of all his people:
even so know I the Father; or rather, “and I know the Father”; as he needs must, since he lay in his bosom, and still does, and knows his nature, perfections, purposes, and his whole mind and will; and loves him most ardently, which he has shown by his coming down from heaven, to do his will; and trusts in him for the accomplishment of everything he promised unto him:
and I lay down my life for the sheep; which proves him to be the good shepherd, Joh 10:11. The Vulgate Latin version reads, “for my sheep”; which were his, by the Father’s gift, and for no other has he laid down his life. The Ethiopic version, as before, renders it, or rather explains it, “I lay down my life for the redemption of my sheep”.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
And I know the Father ( ). Hence he is qualified to reveal the Father (1:18). The comparison of the mutually reciprocal knowledge between the Father and the Son illustrates what he has just said, though it stands above all else (Matt 11:27; Luke 10:22; John 17:21-26). We cannot claim such perfect knowledge of the Good Shepherd as exists between the Father and the Son and yet the real sheep do know the Shepherd’s voice and do love to follow his leadership here and now in spite of thieves, robbers, wolves, hirelings.
And I lay down my life for the sheep ( ). This he had said in verse 11, but he repeats it now for clearness. This he does not just as an example for the sheep and for under-shepherds, but primarily to save the sheep from the wolves, the thieves and robbers.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
As the Father knoweth me. Connect these words with the previous sentence : mine own know me, even as the Father knoweth me, etc.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “As the Father knoweth me,” (kathos ginoskei me ho pater) “Just as the Father knows me,” Mat 11:27, personally in all my work, offices, and my relation with Him; I and my Father know and trust each other as personally as the sheep and the shepherd know and trust each other.
2) “Even so I know the Father: (kago ginosko ton patera) “I also know the Father: Joh 15:10; Joh 17:8.
3) ”And I lay down my life for the sheep.” (kai ten psuchen mou tithemi huper ton probaton)”And l lay down my soul-life on behalf of the sheep,” Joh 10:17-18; Joh 3:16. For l know this to be His will, which I came to do, Isa 53:4-6; Isa 53:10-12; Joh 6:39; Joh 15:13; Luk 23:46.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
15. As the Father knoweth me. It is unnecessary, and is not even expedient, that we should enter into those thorny questions, How is it that the Father knows his Wisdom? For Christ simply declares that, so far as he is the bond of our union with God, he is placed between Him and us; as if he had said, that it is no more possible for him to forget us, than that he should be rejected or disregarded by the Father. At the same time, he demands the duty which we mutually owe to him, because, as he employs all the power which he has received from the Father for our protection, so he wishes that we should be obedient and devoted to him, as he is wholly devoted to his Father, and refers everything to him.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(15) As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father.Better, . . . and I know the Father. Our version, by its rendering, and by the division of verses, fails to give the full meaning, and there is thus, indeed, no reason for the assertion of the mutual knowledge of the Father and the Son. But connecting the words with those of the previous verse, we have, I am the Good Shepherd, and know those who are Mine, and those who are Mine know Me, even as the Father knoweth Me, and I know the Father. This deeper sense of union between the human spirit and Himself, and the wondrous likening of it to the union of Himself and the Father, is present to His mind as the close of His work on earth draws near. We find it again in Joh. 14:20; Joh. 15:10; Joh. 17:8; Joh. 17:21. It is bound up with the thought of the love which lays down His own life for them. This is repeated here and again in Joh. 10:17-18.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
15. Life for the sheep In this verse the Saviour emerges from the figurative, except so far as the term sheep is concerned, and speaks in deep, solemn, literal words. Whilst the thief and robber would slay he would die for the sheep. He dies for them as a shepherd, slain by the wolf in rescuing the sheep, would die for the sheep. No substitutional sacrifice is here expressed; certainly no judicial substitution, by which the Saviour bears a suffering which stands in place of the penalty upon the sinner. And yet there is an alternative substitution; the sheep would die if he does not, and he dies instead of them. The blessed Saviour now speaks in solemn prophecy perhaps to the very men by whose agency the final sacrifice should be made the slaying of the true Shepherd by the wolves. One of the Christian Fathers, who was born before the apostles died, thus testifies to the doctrine of the atonement: “Christ our Lord gave his blood for us by the will of God; and flesh for our flesh, and life for our life.” (Clemens Romanus, 1st Epistle to the Corinthians.)
For the sheep This is no proof-text in behalf of a limited atonement. It is not because Christ died for the sheep alone that the sheep alone are mentioned; but, because the sheep are the subject of the discourse, his death for them alone needs to be mentioned. Affirming that Christ died for the sheep is not denying that he died for others besides the sheep.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
Ver. 15. I lay down my life ] Yet as man he was . (Aesop, Fab.) Quis vitam non vult? Who does not want life? saith Augustine; and Quis enim vult mori? prorsus nemo, Indeed who wishes to die, absolutely no one, saith another. And, “skin after skin,” or skin upon skin, “and all that a man hath will he give for his life,” saith that old deceiver, truly,Job 2:4Job 2:4 . Yet our Saviour held not his life dear for his sheep’s safety. Because he saw we should fall sore (said that angel, John Bradford) therefore he would suffer sore. Yea, if his once suffering had not been enough, he would yet once more come again. God the Father, I am sure, saith he, if the death of his Son incarnate would not serve, would himself and the Holy Ghost also become incarnate, and die for us.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Joh 10:15 . This reciprocal knowledge is so sure and profound that it can only be compared to the mutual knowledge of the Father and the Son: . He then applies to Himself what had been stated in general of all good shepherds in Joh 10:11 ; and Joh 10:16 might suitably have begun with the words “And my life I lay down for the sheep”. This statement is, however, prompted by His reference to His knowledge of the Father. He knows it is the Father’s will that He should lay down His life. See Joh 10:17-18 .
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
As = According as. the Father. See note on Joh 1:14.
even so know I = I also know.
lay down. Same as “give”, Joh 10:11.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Joh 10:15. , as) This is connected with the preceding verse. Often the relation of believers towards Christ is derived from the peculiar relation of Christ towards the Father: ch. Joh 14:20, I am in My Father, and ye in Me, and I in you; Joh 15:10, If ye keep My commandments, ye shall abide in My love, even as I have kept My Fathers commandments and abide in His love; Joh 17:8; Joh 17:21, I have given unto them the words which Thou gavest Me;-That they all may be one, as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in us; Mat 11:27, Neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal Him; Luk 22:29, I appoint unto you a kingdom, as My Father hath appointed unto Me; 1Co 11:3, The Head of every man is Christ,-and the Head of Christ is God; 1Co 15:28, The Son also Himself shall be subject unto Him that put all things under Him, that God may be all in all; Rev 3:21, To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me on My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father on His throne.-) and for that reason [viz. because I am the Good Shepherd]. Hence [from this act of love] it is that the sheep know the goodness of the Shepherd.-, I lay down) Present. The whole life of Christ was a going to death.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
Joh 10:15
Joh 10:15
even as the Father knoweth me, and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.-The Father knew Jesus would lay down his life for the sheep and because he loved the truth himself, and so loved that he was willing to die to lead all willing to follow truth.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
As: Joh 1:18, Joh 6:46, Joh 8:55, Joh 17:25, Mat 11:27, Luk 10:21, Rev 5:2-9
and I: Joh 10:11, Joh 10:17, Joh 15:13, Isa 53:4-6, Isa 53:8, Isa 53:10, Dan 9:26, Zec 13:7, Mat 20:28, Gal 1:4, Gal 3:13, Eph 5:2, 1Ti 2:5, 1Ti 2:6, Tit 2:14, 1Pe 2:24, 1Pe 3:18, 1Jo 2:2, Rev 5:9
Reciprocal: Gen 33:3 – passed Exo 33:12 – I know Mat 27:50 – yielded Luk 10:22 – and no Luk 15:4 – having Joh 7:29 – I Joh 8:14 – for Joh 8:19 – Ye neither Joh 11:51 – that Jesus 1Co 13:12 – now 1Th 5:10 – died 2Pe 1:17 – God 1Jo 2:1 – Father 1Jo 3:16 – perceive
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
5
The Father and Son are interested in the same flock, hence their mutual knowledge of each other is manifested in their common care for the flock. If the shepherd is called upon to give his life in defence of the sheep, the Father will give that life back to Him.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
[I lay down my life, etc.] I deliver; or I give, my life for the flock. Judah gave up his life for Benjamin. Hur gave his life for the holy blessed God. For they have a tradition, that Hur underwent martyrdom, because he opposed the golden calf.
Fuente: Lightfoot Commentary Gospels
10:15 As the Father {e} knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
(e) Loves me, allows me.