--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: But it is John who stresses most…" description: "\"“But it is John who stresses most explicitly that Jesus’ death did not come as an accident but was fully willed and anticipated by our Lord. In a sayin..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/081/andreas-k-stenberger-79885_death_but-it-is-john-who-stresses-most-explici_1506469.jpg" --- # But it is John who stresses most explicitly that Jesus’… ![“But it is John who stresses most explicitly that Jesus’ death did not come as an accident but was fully willed and anticipated by our Lord. In a saying found only in John’s Gospel, Jesus is recorded as saying, “The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No…” quote by Andreas Köstenberger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/081/andreas-k-stenberger-79885_death_but-it-is-john-who-stresses-most-explici_1506469.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/081/andreas-k-stenberger-79885_death_but-it-is-john-who-stresses-most-explici_1506469.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/081/andreas-k-stenberger-79885_death_but-it-is-john-who-stresses-most-explici_1506469.jpg) > ““But it is John who stresses most explicitly that Jesus’ death did not come as an accident but was fully willed and anticipated by our Lord. In a saying found only in John’s Gospel, Jesus is recorded as saying, “The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 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” (10:17-18). At his own arrest, Jesus is shown to take the initiative, “knowing all that was going to happen to him” (18:4; cf. 13:1-3). And in another saying unique to John’s Gospel, Jesus reminds Pilate, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above” (19:11).”” Andreas Köstenberger ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Jesus presents his death as a deliberate, sovereign act, emphasizing divine foreknowledge and authority over his sacrifice **In simple terms:** Jesus chose his death, showing control and purpose Key Takeaway Recognize purposeful sacrifice in life decisions Themes faith divine purpose agency sacrifice Mood reflective serene Type scriptural theological When to use this quote - personal crisis - leadership - ethical dilemmas - spiritual reflection Key Concepts theology free will predestination Questions to Reflect On - What does it mean to willingly accept suffering? - How does acknowledging purpose affect coping? A Different Perspective Interpretations may differ on human vs. divine agency ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Death](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/death/) [Jesus death](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jesus-death/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) ## Related quotes > [“Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/betrayal-and-arrest-of-jesus/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I realized after reading the fourth chapter of St. John's Gospel, that Christ was truly the Divine Saviour he claimed to be, and no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pandita-ramabai/i-realized-after-reading-the-fourth-chapter-of-st-john-s-gospel-that/) Pandita Ramabai > [ “I feel about John \['s gospel\] like I feel about my wife; I love her very much, but I wouldn't claim to understand her.… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-t-wright-2/i-feel-about-john-s-gospel-like-i-feel-about-my-wife-i-love-her-very-2/) [N. T. 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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” (10:17-18). At his own arrest, Jesus is shown to take the initiative, “knowing all that was going to happen to him” (18:4; cf. 13:1-3). 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