Commentaries:
Robertson's Word Pictures (NT)
But that he may steal, and kill, and destroy (ei mh ina kleyh kai qush kai apolesh). Literally, "except that" (ei mh) common without (Matthew 12:4) and with verb (Galatians 1:7), "if not" (literally), followed here by final ina and three aorist active subjunctives as sometimes by otan (Mark 9:9) or oti (2 Corinthians 12:13). Note the order of the verbs. Stealing is the purpose of the thief, but he will kill and destroy if necessary just like the modern bandit or gangster.
I came that they may have life (egw hlqon ina zwhn exwsin). In sharp contrast (egw) as the good shepherd with the thieves and robbers of verse John 10:1 came Jesus. Note present active subjunctive (exwsin), "that they (people) may keep on having life (eternal, he means)" as he shows in John 10:28. He is "the life" (John 14:6).
And may have it abundantly (kai perisson exwsin). Repetition of exwsin (may keep on having) abundance (perisson, neuter singular of perissov). Xenophon (Anab. VII. vi. 31) uses perisson exein, "to have a surplus," true to the meaning of overflow from peri (around) seen in Paul's picture of the overplus (upereperisseusen in Romans 5:20) of grace. Abundance of life and all that sustains life, Jesus gives.
Other commentary entries containing this verse:
John 10:1
1 John 5:11
DISCLAIMER: Church of the Great God (CGG) provides these resources to aid the individual in studying the Bible. However, it is up to the individual to "prove all things, and hold fast to that which is good" (I Thessalonians 5:21). The content of these resources does not necessarily reflect the views of CGG. They are provided for information purposes only.
E-mail this page
