John
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John 10
John 10
Commentary · verses 1-5
1Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
2But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
3To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.
1Verily, 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.
2But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
3To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.
Commentary · verse 3
The shepherd (Jesus) calls his sheep (believers) by name. The shepherd leads his sheep.
4When he hath put forth all his own, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
4And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
Commentary · verse 4
The sheep follow the shepherd because they know his voice. Sheep are led from the front.
5And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.
6This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.
5And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.
6This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.
Commentary · verses 7-18
Verses 7-18: Jesus' interpretation of the Parable of the Shepherd.
7Jesus therefore said unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.
7Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.
Commentary · verse 7
Jesus is the door.
8All that came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.
9I am the door; by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and go out, and shall find pasture.
8All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.
9I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
Commentary · verse 9
Doctrine: Salvation only comes through Jesus, and it is available to all: "...if any man..." God does not prevent people from being saved.
10The thief cometh not, but that he may steal, and kill, and destroy: I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly.
10The 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.
Commentary · verse 10
Doctrine: Jesus came to give life ("life" – "the ability to repair") and that we can have life abundantly: more life. This verse proved that life cannot mean "existence." How can someone exist more abundantly?
Doctrine: The enemy can only steal, kill, and destroy. The enemy cannot create. The enemy does not have life: the ability to repair.
Doctrines on this passage
11I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd layeth down his life for the sheep.
11I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
Commentary · verse 11
Doctrine: Jesus willingly chose to give up His life for the sheep. Jesus was the Good Shepherd. Jesus confirmed this in John 10:18.
Doctrines on this passage
12He that is a hireling, and not a shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, beholdeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth, and the wolf snatcheth them, and scattereth them: 13he fleeth because he is a hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
12But 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.
13The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
Commentary · verse 13
Doctrine: Hirelings flee during a crisis. If a "leader" tries to ignore a crisis, he is a hireling and does not care for the people.
14I am the good shepherd; and I know mine own, and mine own know me,
14I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
Commentary · verse 14
Jesus could have been referencing Ezekiel 34:23 – "And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd."
15even as the Father knoweth me, and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.
16And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and they shall become one flock, one shepherd.
15As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
16And 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.
Commentary · verse 16
The "other sheep...not of this fold" referred to the Gentiles.
17Therefore doth the Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I may take it again.
18No one taketh it away 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 received I from my Father.
17Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
18No 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.
Commentary · verse 18
Doctrine: Jesus had a free will: the ability to act apart from His Nature. Jesus could have chosen to take His life up and not lay it down. Jesus laid down His life voluntarily. Jesus introduced this Doctrine in John 10:11.
19There arose a division again among the Jews because of these words.
20And many of them said, He hath a demon, and is mad; why hear ye him?
21Others said, These are not the sayings of one possessed with a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?
19There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings.
20And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him?
21Others said, These are not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind?
Commentary · verses 19-21
Some of the people thought Jesus was mad or had a devil because of His words. However, His ability to do miracles caused people to wrestle with an apparent contradiction: a demon possessed person who could do God's work through healings.
22And it was the feast of the dedication at Jerusalem: 23it was winter; and Jesus was walking in the temple in Solomon’s porch.
22And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.
23And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon’s porch.
Commentary · verses 22-23
The feast of Dedication was appointed by Judas Maccabaeus (The Silent Period) to commemorate the purification of the temple after it had been defiled by Antiochus Epiphanes. This would have been during our December. This was about 2 3/4 years into Jesus' public ministry. Jesus had about three to four more months until He would be crucified. The feast of Dedication is known to us as Hanukkah.
24The Jews therefore came round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou hold us in suspense? If thou art the Christ, tell us plainly.
24Then 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.
Commentary · verse 24
The theme of John 7-9 was being directly addressed by the Jews: Why did Jesus not directly ("plainly") state that He was the Son of God?
25Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believe not: the works that I do in my Father’s name, these bear witness of me.
25Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me.
Commentary · verse 25
Jesus "plainly" stated that He had already answered the question and they believed not. Jesus continued to tell the people that His actions also proved He was the Christ.
26But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep.
27My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand.
26But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.
27My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
28And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
Commentary · verses 26-28
Jesus' answer continued to reference His previous teaching about the Good Shepherd. Jesus plainly stated He gave eternal life.
The phrase "no one shall snatch them out of my hand" is often used by people who believe in "eternal security/once saved, always saved." However, just because no man can pluck us out of Jesus' hand does not mean we cannot leave His hand of our own accord.
29My Father, who hath given them unto me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.
29My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.
Commentary · verse 29
This sentence indirectly referred to God as the Father.
30I and the Father are one.
30I and my Father are one.
Commentary · verse 30
Jesus "plainly" stated that He and the Father are "one". This still was not the direct/plain statement the people wanted to hear: "I am the Son of God."
31The Jews took up stones again to stone him.
31Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.
Commentary · verse 31
The Jews responded to it as if He had "plainly" said He was the Son of God.
32Jesus answered them, Many good works have I showed you from the Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?
32Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?
Commentary · verse 32
Jesus reintroduced the apparent contradiction: How could Jesus do miracles and not be from God?
33The Jews answered him, For a good work we stone thee not, but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.
33The 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.
Commentary · verse 33
The Jews understood that Jesus was equating Himself with God. They wanted to stone Him because of blasphemy.
34Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?
34Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?
Commentary · verse 34
Jesus referenced Psalm 82:6. Notice, the Jews did not want to stone Him for saying, "I am the Son of God." Jesus did not say that directly/plainly. However, we saw in John 8:58 Jesus stated He was God ("I AM") as well as in these verses. The Jews were going to stone Him for saying He was God. Jesus asked them a question about their Law when it said we are gods. Jesus made the Jews aware of an apparent contradiction.
35If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came (and the scripture cannot be broken), 36say ye of him, whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?
35If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;
36Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?
Commentary · verses 35-36
Notice, Jesus did not say, "I am the Son of God." Jesus put that phrase in a question that began with an if. Jesus began this sentence with an if concerning the Word of God calling those who sit as judges "gods" and a reminder that the Word of God cannot be broken. The then portion of this phrase was posed in question form: then were you saying the one whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world blasphemed because He said, "I am the Son of God"? Remember, Jesus did not directly say He was the Son of God and they were accusing Him of blaspheming because of that statement. Jesus was asking them if they would disobey God's Word should the situation arise.
37If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.
37If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.
Commentary · verse 37
Jesus gave them an out, He gave them another if/then statement: He said if He did not do the works of God, then do not believe Him.
38But if I do them, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.
38But 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.
Commentary · verse 38
Jesus gave the contrastive point in yet another if/then statement. if they would not believe Jesus' words they ought to believe His actions. Jesus' actions are not WHY He was fully God but they did prove that He was fully God.
39They sought again to take him: and he went forth out of their hand.
39Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand,
Commentary · verse 39
Their response was to ignore Jesus' words and try to kill Him.
40And he went away again beyond the Jordan into the place where John was at the first baptizing; and there he abode.
41And many came unto him; and they said, John indeed did no sign: but all things whatsoever John spake of this man were true.
42And many believed on him there.
40And went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized; and there he abode.
41And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man were true.
42And many believed on him there.
Commentary · verses 40-42
Jesus went out from the city to the place where John had been baptizing. By this time John the Baptist had been imprisoned and martyred. Many of the people believed on Christ because they saw Jesus' works and they saw that the words John spoke about Christ were true. Once again, Jesus went away from the religious leaders because they were looking to stone Him.
Verses 1-5: the Parable of the Shepherd.