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John 10

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.

But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.

And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.

And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.

Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.

All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.

I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.

The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.

I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.

As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.

No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings.

And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him?

Others said, These are not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind?

And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.

And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch.

Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly.

Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me.

But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.

I and my Father are one.

Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.

Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?

The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.

Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?

If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;

Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?

If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.

But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.

Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand,

And went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized; and there he abode.

And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man were true.

And many believed on him there.

What does John 10:7 mean?

Explanation

John 10:7 is a part of the discourse in which Jesus is explaining His role and relationship with His followers, utilizing the metaphor of a shepherd and his sheep to illustrate the concept.

In this verse, Jesus explicitly identifies Himself as "the door of the sheep," meaning He is the legitimate and singular point of entry for the sheepfold, which symbolizes the Kingdom of God.

The repetition of "Verily, verily" (truly, truly) emphasizes the truth and importance of His statement.

As the door, Jesus is asserting that He is the way through which one must pass to receive salvation and to enter into fellowship with God.

The literal meaning refers to a Shepherd's role in physically lying at the entrance of a sheep pen to protect the sheep; the deeper meaning is spiritual, signifying Jesus as the gateway to spiritual security and eternal life.

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

The Gospel of John was written approximately in the late 1st century AD.

The image of a shepherd and sheep was familiar in the historical and cultural background of Judean society, where shepherding was a common occupation.

This provided Jesus with a relevant and understandable metaphor for His audience.

At the time, religious leaders, like the Pharisees, were also considered shepherds of the Jewish people, but Jesus contrasts their leadership with His own, demonstrating that He is the true shepherd and guardian of God's people.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, this verse has been interpreted in several ways by different Christian traditions.

The dominant viewpoint sees this verse as a claim to Jesus' exclusive role in salvation.

Jesus is seen as the mediator between God and humanity, and faith in Him is essential for salvation.

Some theologians also argue that the verse reflects the beginning of the ecclesiological understanding in the early Christian community, where Jesus is the entrance to the church -- the community of believers.

Practical Applications

In a practical sense, this verse encourages believers to acknowledge Jesus as the exclusive path to spiritual security and caretaker of their faith.

It can be seen as a call to trust in Jesus' guidance and to follow His teachings as one would trust a shepherd to protect and direct his sheep.

It can also be interpretive of the need for discernment in distinguishing true spiritual leadership from false, as it implies that there are legitimate and illegitimate ways to enter into spiritual life and community.

Cross-References

"I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6)
"And the door was shut." (Matthew 25:10)
"By me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture." (John 10:9)
"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:" (John 10:27)

Language Study

The original Greek word translated as "door" is "θύρα" (thyra), which can mean a literal door or gate but also metaphorically a way or means of access.

The word for "sheep" is “πρόβατον” (probaton), which can refer to sheep or goats, generally used to represent those who belong to God.

The phrase "I am" echoes the divine name in the Old Testament (Exodus 3:14), suggesting a connection to God's identity.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The image of a shepherd is also present in other cultural and religious texts, attributing to a leader or deity the role of protector and provider.

For example, in ancient Mesopotamia, kings were often referred to as shepherds.

In the Egyptian religion, the god Osiris is sometimes shown as a shepherd.

Such parallels show common ancient Near Eastern themes, although the Christian interpretation is unique in its identification of Jesus as the exclusive "door" for believers.

Scientific Perspectives

Scientific perspectives do not typically intersect with the metaphoric language found in this verse.

However, the role of shepherding can be examined through the lens of ethology (the study of animal behavior) and environmental science, which can give insights into the behavioral patterns of sheep and the dynamics of their interaction with their environment, drawing parallels to human societal structures and leadership roles.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars and theologians offer various interpretations of John 10:7.

For instance, William Barclay notes the importance of Jesus as both the door to safety for the sheep and the path to green pastures.

D.A.

Carson emphasizes the exclusivity of Jesus' claim, indicating that there is no other way to God except through Him.

Matthew Henry comments on the sufficiency of Christ, suggesting that through Jesus, the sheep (believers) have freedom and provision.

These expert views reflect the multifaceted implications of the metaphor, pointing to spiritual, ecclesiological, and soteriological dimensions of the verse.

John 10

John 10

What does John 10:7 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does John 10:7 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?