King James Bible
"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."
Jesus asserts his death is not forced upon him by human power but is his voluntary sacrifice. This counters any notion that the crucifixion represents defeat or victimization, emphasizing instead his sovereign choice to give his life for his sheep. Christ claims divine authority over both death and resurrection, demonstrating his unique nature as both fully human and fully divine. No mere mortal could claim power to resume life after death, marking this as a messianic declaration of his identity. Jesus grounds his sacrificial mission in obedience to the Father's will, showing perfect unity within the Godhead. His voluntary death fulfills a divine plan rather than acting independently, revealing salvation as the Father's loving initiative executed through the Son.