For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him.
authority = exousia = the power of choice; the liberty of doing as one pleases. Christ’s authority is given by God and extends over the entire human race (Matt 11:27, 28:18, John 5:27). While on earth He exercised His authority in the way He taught (Matt 7:29), in forgiving sins (Matt 9:6), and in doing miracles (Matt 9:8). Authority is something which He can delegate to those He pleases (Matt 10:1). Jesus does not exercise His authority over mankind as an earthly king would. Our verse tells us that the Father gave Christ this authority for the specific purpose of giving life to men (3:35-36, 10:28).
Matthew 11:27 “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No-one knows the Son except the Father, and no-one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
Matthew 28:18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
John 5:27 And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man.
Matthew 7:29 because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.
Matthew 9:6 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins….” Then he said to the paralytic, “Get up, take your mat and go home.”
Matthew 9:8 When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to men.
Matthew 10:1 He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.
John 3:35-36 The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.”
John 10:28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no-one can snatch them out of my hand.
There is a thought conveyed here that was precious to the early church fathers: Jesus reigned even from the cross. That which Satan and men intended for defeat brought about victory. As Morris notes, “He exercised authority in bringing men life even as He hung, apparently helpless, on the cross.”
Even though His authority extends over all men, that life He brings is only for those the Father “has given him.” Why? Does God play favorites? Of course not! Eternal life is only given to those who will receive it and the only way to receive it is through Jesus Christ (1:12, 14:6).
John 1:12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—
John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No-one comes to the Father except through me.