John10
English Standard Version
1 , , I to , he who does the in by another , that a a .
2 he who the the of the .
3To the . , he his .
4 he has his , he , the , they .
5 they will , they will , they do the of .
6 with , did he to .
7 to them, , , I to , the of the .
8 , the did .
9 the . , he will be will go .
10The . they may it .
11 the . The lays the .
12 who a a , the , the the , the them.
13He flees he a the .
14 the . own own ,
15 the and the ; I the .
16 I . also, they will to . there will , .
17 this the , I may up .
18 , down my own . I to down, I to up . I have .
19There a the of .
20 , He a , is ; to ?
21 , the of one who is oppressed by a . a the of the ?
22At that time the Feast of took . It ,
23 was the , the of .
24 the to , will you in ? the , .
25 , I , you do . The ,
26 do you .
27 , and , they .
28 , they will , will out .
29 , has them to , than , one is to them out the .
30 the .
31The up .
32 , I have the ; of are you ?
33The , It is a that we are going to , , a , .
34 , it , , you ?
35 he the of — be —
36do of him the the , You are , I , I the of ?
37 I am the of , then do ;
38 I them, even you do , the , you may the is and am the .
39 they to , he .
40 the the had at , he .
41 . they , , this .
42 .
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for John 10.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The parable of the good shepherd. (1–5). Christ the Door. (6–9). Christ the good Shepherd. (10–18). The Jews' opinion concerning Jesus. (19–21). His discourse at the feast of dedication. (22–30). The Jews attempt to stone Jesus. (31–38). He departs from Jerusalem. (39–42).
vv1-5
Here is a parable or similitude, taken from the customs of the East, in the management of sheep. Men, as creatures depending on their Creator, are called the sheep of his pasture. The church of God in the world is as a sheep-fold, exposed to deceivers and persecutors. The great Shepherd of the sheep knows all that are his, guards them by his providence, guides them by his Spirit and word, and goes before them, as the Eastern shepherds went before their sheep, to set them in the way of his steps. Ministers must serve the sheep in their spiritual concerns. The Spirit of Christ will set before them an open door. The sheep of Christ will observe their Shepherd, and be cautious and shy of strangers, who would draw them from faith in him to fancies about him.
vv6-9
Many who hear the word of Christ, do not understand it, because they will not. But we shall find one scripture expounding another, and the blessed Spirit making known the blessed Jesus. Christ is the Door. And what greater security has the church of God than that the Lord Jesus is between it and all its enemies? He is a door open for passage and communication. Here are plain directions how to come into the fold; we must come in by Jesus Christ as the Door. By faith in him as the great Mediator between God and man. Also, we have precious promises to those that observe this direction. Christ has all that care of his church, and every believer, which a good shepherd has of his flock; and he expects the church, and every believer, to wait on him, and to keep in his pasture.
vv10-18
Christ is a good Shepherd; many who were not thieves, yet were careless in their duty, and by their neglect the flock was much hurt. Bad principles are the root of bad practices. The Lord Jesus knows whom he has chosen, and is sure of them; they also know whom they have trusted, and are sure of Him. See here the grace of Christ; since none could demand his life of him, he laid it down of himself for our redemption. He offered himself to be the Saviour; Lo, I come. And the necessity of our case calling for it, he offered himself for the Sacrifice. He was both the offerer and the offering, so that his laying down his life was his offering up himself. From hence it is plain, that he died in the place and stead of men; to obtain their being set free from the punishment of sin, to obtain the pardon of their sin; and that his death should obtain that pardon. Our Lord laid not his life down for his doctrine, but for his sheep.
Key Words
ἀμήν (amḗn): properly, firm, i.e. (figuratively) trustworthy; adverbially, surely (often as interjection, so be it)
λέγω (légō): properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas G2036 (ἔπω) and G5346 (φημί) generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while G4483 (ῥέω) is properly to break silence merely, and G2980 (λαλέω) means an extended or random harangue)); by implication, to mean
ὑμῖν (hymîn): to (with or by) you
μή (mḗ): (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas G3756 (οὐ) expects an affirmative one)) whether
εἰσέρχομαι (eisérchomai): to enter (literally or figuratively)
εἰς (eis): to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
πρόβατον (próbaton): something that walks forward (a quadruped), i.e. (specially), a sheep (literally or figuratively)
διά (diá): through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
ἀλλά (allá): properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
ἀναβαίνω (anabaínō): to go up (literally or figuratively)
Cross References
John 10Directly quoted by Jesus ('I said, Ye are gods') to defend His claim as Son of God.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, John Calvin
Messianic prophecy of the one Shepherd whom God would set up over His flock.
Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin, JFB
Prophecy of the Shepherd of the Lord (His Fellow) being smitten for the sheep.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
Explains 'other sheep' as gathering together in one the children of God scattered abroad.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, John Calvin
Parallels the Jews' reaction to Christ's claims of divine oneness, charging Him with blasphemy.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, John Calvin
Old Testament background condemning false shepherds who feed themselves and scatter the flock.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
Expounds the metaphor of 'the door' as Jesus being the exclusive way to the Father.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
The classic Old Testament identification of Jehovah as the personal, caring Shepherd.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Prophetic portrait of the Messiah gently feeding, gathering, and leading His flock.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Apostolic designation of Jesus as 'that great Shepherd of the sheep' through His blood.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Parallel on God's secure, mutual knowledge: 'The Lord knoweth them that are his.'
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
Fulfillment of making 'one fold' by breaking down the middle wall of partition.
Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin, JFB
Refers back to the division among the Pharisees concerning Jesus' miracles.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
Previous instance where the Jews took up stones to stone Jesus for claiming divinity.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Instruction to under-shepherds to feed the church of God, purchased with His blood.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Describes believers returning unto the 'Shepherd and Bishop' of their souls.
Supported by John Calvin
Locates the post-resurrection ministry of the apostles in the same 'Solomon's porch' location.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Jesus prays for the keeping of His sheep, grounded in their oneness.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The Mosaic law commanding stoning as the legal penalty for blasphemy.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Identifies the place 'beyond Jordan' where John originally baptized.
Supported by Matthew Poole