John 10:16-18 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

And other sheep have I Whom I foreknow as repenting and believing in me; which are not of this fold Not of the Jewish Church or nation, but Gentiles. Some, indeed, understand by these the Jews living out of the land of Canaan; but certainly they could not with propriety be said not to belong to the fold of Israel. The incorporating the believing Gentiles into one church with the Jews was a grand event, worthy of such particular notice. Them also I must bring Namely, into my church, the general assembly of those whose names are written in heaven. And they shall hear my voice The voice of my gospel, calling them to repentance, and inviting them to believe in me as their Redeemer and Saviour. And there shall be one fold Greek, μια ποιμνη, one flock, though in different folds, no corrupt or divided flocks remaining; and one shepherd Who laid down his life for the sheep, and will leave no hireling among them. This unity, both of the flock and the Shepherd, shall be completed in its season. The shepherds shall bring all into one flock, and the whole flock shall hear the one Shepherd. Therefore doth my Father love me He loves me more especially on this account, approving it as an act of eminent duty and love to him; because I lay down my life That I am come into the world with this design, to give my life for the redemption of my sheep, which are dear to him, as well as to me; that I might take it again And possess it for ever, to be employed for his glory and for the happiness of my people. In other words, I cheerfully die to expiate the sins of mankind, to the end I may rise again for their justification. No man taketh it from me “This,” says Dr. Campbell, “can hardly be said with propriety, since he suffered by the hands of others. The English verb take, does not express the full import of the Greek, αιρεω, [here used.] In this place it is evidently our Lord's intention to inform his hearers, that his enemies could not by violence take his life, if he did not voluntarily put himself in their power.” Hence he translates the clause, No one forceth it from me, but I give it up of myself By my own free act and deed; I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again I have an original power and right of myself, both to lay it down as a ransom, and to take it again after full satisfaction is made for the sins of the whole world. I am able to raise myself from the dead! nay, I can do it as easily as I can die! Nevertheless, I do not lay down my life, nor rise from the dead, without the appointment of my Father. In both I act wisely, and agreeably to the divine will. This commandment Or, this commission, as the word εντολη may be rendered; have I received of my Father Which I readily execute. Our Lord's receiving this commission as a Mediator, is not to be considered as the ground of his power to lay down and resume his life, for this he had in himself, as having an original right to dispose thereof antecedent to the Father's commission. But this commission was the reason why he thus used his power in laying down his life: he did it in obedience to his Father.