As Canon Westcott observes, “in the fulfilment of His work, the Good Shepherd claims the admiration of all that is gen- erous im man.”
Giveth his life (T)v sux vy adtod ti9now). The phrase is peculiar to John, occurring in the Gospel and First Epistle. It is explained in two ways: either (1) as laying down as a pledge, paying as a price, according to the classical usage of the word ti9nut. So Demosthenes, ¢o pay interest or the alien tax. Or (2) according to Jolin xiii. 4, as daying asede his life like a gar- ment. The latter seems preferable. Té9y, in the sense of to pay down a price, does not occur in the New Testament, unless this phrase, to day down the life, be so explained.* In John xiii. 4, layeth aside His garments (riSnou 7a iuadtua) is fol- lowed, in ver. 12, by had taken His garments (€haBe Ta ipartia). So, in this chapter, giveth (riSnow) His life (ver. 11), and L lay down (riSnus) my life (vv. 17, 18), are followed by AaPety “ to take it again.” The phrases tHv Wuyny Inne He laid down His life, and ras suyas Setvar to lay down our lives, occur in 1 John iii. 16. The verb is used in the sense of laying asede in the classics, as to lay aside war, shields, etc. Compare Matt. xx. 28, dodvar tiv puxny, to give His life.
For the sheep (i7rép). On behalf of.
12. Hireling (uic$w7ds). From pucdds, hire. See on 2 Pet. ii. 18. Wye., merchant.
Seeth (Sewpez). Very graphic. His gaze is fiwed with the fascination of terror on the approaching wolf. Compare Dante:
‘¢ But not so much, that did not give me fear A lion’s aspect which appeared to me. And a she wolf, that with all hungerings Seemed to be laden in her meagreness, And many folk has caused to live forlorn ! She brought upon me so much heaviness, With the affright that from her aspect came, That I the hope relinquished of the height.”’ “Inferno,” i., 44-54.
* Huther on 1 John iii. 16, claims that this sense would be admissible only in the event of the phrase being used invariably with bmép twos, on behalf of one.