No one takes it from me; I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and authority to take it up again. This is the charge I received from my Father.”
In context
16I have other sheep as well, which are not of this fold. Those too I must bring; they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock, one shepherd. 17This is why the Father loves me: because I lay down my life, in order to take it up again. 18No one takes it from me; I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and authority to take it up again. This is the charge I received from my Father.” 19Because of these words the Jews were divided again. 20Many of them said, “He has a demon; he is out of his mind. Why listen to him?”
