Keraia
John 10

John 10:1

Jesus the Good Shepherd · John 10:1–21
Read John 10

Translations

Modern
“Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever does not enter the sheepfold by the gate, but climbs in some other way, is a thief and a robber.
Traditional
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.
Literal
“Truly, truly, I say to you, the one not entering through the door to the fold of the sheep, but going up another way, he is a thief and a robber.
Latin
Amen, amen dico vobis: qui non intrat per ostium in ovile ovium, sed ascendit aliunde, ille fur est et latro.

Original

Greek
English
“Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever does not enter the sheepfold by the gate, but climbs in some other way, is a thief and a robber.

Notes

John 10:1

  • A shepherd in the wild would build a sheepfold. This was a pen with low stone walls topped by sharp branches, to keep his sheep safe at night.

  • The pen had one gate (or opening in the wall) that was closed with branches. Any person or thing that came into the pen threatened the flock.

  • A bad shepherd was like a thief and a robber. He used the sheep for his own gain and did not care for them. Bad shepherds took the sheep’s milk and wool for themselves. They killed the sheep without guaranteeing their safety (Ezekiel 34:3; see Isaiah 56:11; Jeremiah 23:1–4).

    These words were the strongest rebuke Jesus spoke against the Jewish leaders.

John 10:1–21

This illustration of a shepherd and his sheep comes from a Middle Eastern perspective of shepherding and Old Testament traditions in first-century AD Jewish culture. God was the shepherd of Israel (Genesis 49:24; Psalms 23; 78:52–53; Isaiah 40:10–11).

Spiritual and political leaders of Israel were also shepherds of God’s people, the flock of God (Isaiah 56:9–12; Jeremiah 23:1–4; Ezekiel 34).

Jesus spoke these words during the Feast of Dedication (see John 10:22). At that time, people remembered both faithful and unfaithful leaders in Israel’s history.

In this setting, Jesus addressed the theme of shepherds. He spoke in a way that echoes Ezekiel 34, where God condemns bad shepherds and promises to care for his people himself. Jesus then identified himself as the good shepherd (John 10:11–14).

John 10:1–42

Chapter 10 continues the series of feast sermons (see study note on 5:1–10:42). Here, the setting is the Feast of Dedication. The timing of this feast is important for understanding the story (see study note on 10:22).

Theme notes and profiles

The Shepherd

Events

Parallels

Psalm 23:1–6 Ezekiel 34:11–24

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Ezekiel, Book of Herdsmen John, Gospel of Sheep Shepherd

Topics

Christian Minister: False and Corrupt Jesus, the Christ: Parable of The Good Shepherd Jesus, the Christ: Teaches People (In Jerusalem) Parables: Parables of Christ: Good Shepherd Righteous: Sheep Sheep of the Righteous Sheep: Flocks of Kept in Folds or Cotes Shepherd of Christ Shepherd: Keeps the Flocks in Folds Theft and Thieves: General Scriptures Concerning Theft: Illustrates the Guilt of False Teachers Titles and Names of Saints: Sheep of Christ