The Greek verb airō, translated “takes away,” has the primary definition of “to lift from the ground,” although the term can and often does mean “to lift with a view to carrying, to carry off or put away.”6 John uses airō in both senses: “to take away” (11:39; 11:48; 16:22; 17:15) and “to lift up” (5:8–12; 8:59). Therefore, a strong case for either definition can be made. I favor the definition “to lift up” for a couple reasons. First, these two verses introduce the illustration in summary fashion,