Keraia
John 10

John 10:3

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

Modern
The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen for his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
Traditional
To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.
Literal
To this one the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice. And he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
Latin
Huic ostiarius aperit, et oves vocem ejus audiunt, et proprias oves vocat nominatim, et educit eas.

Interlinear

Greek
English
The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen for his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

Notes

John 10:3

the sheep listen for his voice: The Middle Eastern shepherd is well known for having intimate knowledge of the sheep. Sheep are led with flute tunes, songs, or verbal commands.

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

Character of Saints: Attentive to Christ's Voice Christian Minister: Character and Attributes of Doorkeeper God Knows your Name God: Guide Jesus, the Christ: Love of Jesus, the Christ: Parable of The Good Shepherd Jesus, the Christ: Shepherd, Jesus the True: He Calls Jesus, the Christ: Shepherd, Jesus the True: He Guides Jesus, the Christ: Teaches People (In Jerusalem) Parables: Parables of Christ: Good Shepherd Sheep of the Righteous Shepherd of Christ Shepherd: Knows Each One of his Flock by Name the Shepherd Christ: His Sheep: He Calls the Shepherd Christ: His Sheep: He Guides Titles and Names of Saints: Sheep of Christ Ushers