1 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.
2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.
4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.
6 This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.
7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.
8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.
9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
10 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.
11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
12 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.
13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
16 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.
17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
18 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.
19 There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings.
20 And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him?
21 Others said, These are not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind?
22 And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.
23 And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch.
24 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.
25 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.
26 But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.
27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.
30 I and my Father are one.
31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.
32 Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?
33 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.
34 Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?
35 If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;
36 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?
37 If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.
38 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.
39 Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand,
40 And went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized; and there he abode.
41 And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man were true.
42 And many believed on him there.
1 Verily, G281 verily, G281 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 He that entereth G1525 not G3361 by G1223 the door G2374 into G1519 the sheepfold, G4263 G833 but G235 climbeth up G305 some other way, G237 the same G1565 is G2076 a thief G2812 and G2532 a robber. G3027
2 But G1161 he that entereth in G1525 by G1223 the door G2374 is G2076 the shepherd G4166 of the sheep. G4263
3 To him G5129 the porter G2377 openeth; G455 and G2532 the sheep G4263 hear G191 his G846 voice: G5456 and G2532 he calleth G2564 his own G2398 sheep G4263 by G2596 name, G3686 and G2532 leadeth G1806 them G846 out. G1806
4 And G2532 when G3752 he putteth forth G1544 his own G2398 sheep, G4263 he goeth G4198 before G1715 them, G846 and G2532 the sheep G4263 follow G190 him: G846 for G3754 they know G1492 his G846 voice. G5456
5 And G1161 a stranger G245 will they G190 not G3364 follow, G190 but G235 will flee G5343 from G575 him: G846 for G3754 they know G1492 not G3756 the voice G5456 of strangers. G245
6 This G5026 parable G3942 spake G2036 Jesus G2424 unto them: G846 but G1161 they G1565 understood G1097 not G3756 what things G5101 they were G2258 which G3739 he spake G2980 unto them. G846
7 Then G3767 said G2036 Jesus G2424 unto them G846 again, G3825 Verily, G281 verily, G281 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 G3754 I G1473 am G1510 the door G2374 of the sheep. G4263
8 All G3956 that ever G3745 came G2064 before G4253 me G1700 are G1526 thieves G2812 and G2532 robbers: G3027 but G235 the sheep G4263 did G191 not G3756 hear G191 them. G846
9 I G1473 am G1510 the door: G2374 by G1223 me G1700 if G1437 any man G5100 enter in, G1525 he shall be saved, G4982 and G2532 shall go in G1525 and G2532 out, G1831 and G2532 find G2147 pasture. G3542
10 The thief G2812 cometh G2064 not, G3756 but G1508 for to G2443 steal, G2813 and G2532 to kill, G2380 and G2532 to destroy: G622 I G1473 am come G2064 that G2443 they might have G2192 life, G2222 and G2532 that they might have G2192 it more abundantly. G4053
11 I G1473 am G1510 the good G2570 shepherd: G4166 the good G2570 shepherd G4166 giveth G5087 his G846 life G5590 for G5228 the sheep. G4263
12 But G1161 he that is G5607 an hireling, G3411 and G2532 not G3756 the shepherd, G4166 whose G3739 own G2398 the sheep G4263 are G1526 not, G3756 seeth G2334 the wolf G3074 coming, G2064 and G2532 leaveth G863 the sheep, G4263 and G2532 fleeth: G5343 and G2532 the wolf G3074 catcheth G726 them, G846 and G2532 scattereth G4650 the sheep. G4263
13 G1161 The hireling G3411 fleeth, G5343 because G3754 he is G2076 an hireling, G3411 and G2532 careth G3199 not G3756 for G4012 the sheep. G4263
14 I G1473 am G1510 the good G2570 shepherd, G4166 and G2532 know G1097 my G1699 sheep, and G2532 am known G1097 of G5259 mine. G1699
15 As G2531 the Father G3962 knoweth G1097 me, G3165 even so G2504 know G1097 I G2504 the Father: G3962 and G2532 I lay down G5087 my G3450 life G5590 for G5228 the sheep. G4263
16 And G2532 other G243 sheep G4263 I have, G2192 which G3739 are G2076 not G3756 of G1537 this G5026 fold: G833 them also G2548 I G3165 must G1163 bring, G71 and G2532 they shall hear G191 my G3450 voice; G5456 and G2532 there shall be G1096 one G3391 fold, G4167 and one G1520 shepherd. G4166
17 Therefore G5124 G1223 doth G25 my Father G3962 love G25 me, G3165 because G3754 I G1473 lay down G5087 my G3450 life, G5590 that G2443 I might take G2983 it G846 again. G3825
18 No man G3762 taketh G142 it G846 from G575 me, G1700 but G235 I G1473 lay G5087 it G846 down G5087 of G575 myself. G1683 I have G2192 power G1849 to lay G5087 it G846 down, G5087 and G2532 I have G2192 power G1849 to take G2983 it G846 again. G3825 This G5026 commandment G1785 have I received G2983 of G3844 my G3450 Father. G3962
19 There was G1096 a division G4978 therefore G3767 again G3825 among G1722 the Jews G2453 for G1223 these G5128 sayings. G3056
20 And G1161 many G4183 of G1537 them G846 said, G3004 He hath G2192 a devil, G1140 and G2532 is mad; G3105 why G5101 hear ye G191 him? G846
21 Others G243 said, G3004 These G5023 are G2076 not G3756 the words G4487 of him that hath a devil. G1139 Can G3361 G1410 a devil G1140 open G455 the eyes G3788 of the blind? G5185
22 And G1161 it was G1096 at G1722 Jerusalem G2414 the feast of the dedication, G1456 and G2532 it was G2258 winter. G5494
23 And G2532 Jesus G2424 walked G4043 in G1722 the temple G2411 in G1722 Solomon's G4672 porch. G4745
24 Then G3767 came G2944 the Jews G2453 round about G2944 him, G846 and G2532 said G3004 unto him, G846 How long G2193 G4219 dost thou make G142 us G2257 to doubt? G5590 If G1487 thou G4771 be G1488 the Christ, G5547 tell G2036 us G2254 plainly. G3954
25 Jesus G2424 answered G611 them, G846 I told G2036 you, G5213 and G2532 ye believed G4100 not: G3756 the works G2041 that G3739 I G1473 do G4160 in G1722 my G3450 Father's G3962 name, G3686 they G5023 bear witness G3140 of G4012 me. G1700
26 But G235 ye G5210 believe G4100 not, G3756 because G1063 ye are G2075 not G3756 of G1537 my G1699 sheep, G4263 as G2531 I said G2036 unto you. G5213
27 My G1699 sheep G4263 hear G191 my G3450 voice, G5456 and I G2504 know G1097 them, G846 and G2532 they follow G190 me: G3427
28 And I G2504 give G1325 unto them G846 eternal G166 life; G2222 and G2532 they shall G622 never G3364 G1519 G165 perish, G622 neither G2532 G3756 shall G726 any G5100 man pluck G726 them G846 out of G1537 my G3450 hand. G5495
29 My G3450 Father, G3962 which G3739 gave G1325 them me, G3427 is G2076 greater than G3187 all; G3956 and G2532 no G3762 man is able G1410 to pluck G726 them out of G1537 my G3450 Father's G3962 hand. G5495
30 I G1473 and G2532 my Father G3962 are G2070 one. G1520
31 Then G3767 the Jews G2453 took up G941 stones G3037 again G3825 to G2443 stone G3034 him. G846
32 Jesus G2424 answered G611 them, G846 Many G4183 good G2570 works G2041 have I shewed G1166 you G5213 from G1537 my G3450 Father; G3962 for G1223 which G4169 of those G846 works G2041 do ye stone G3034 me? G3165
33 The Jews G2453 answered G611 him, G846 saying, G3004 For G4012 a good G2570 work G2041 we stone G3034 thee G4571 not; G3756 but G235 for G4012 blasphemy; G988 and G2532 because G3754 that thou, G4771 being G5607 a man, G444 makest G4160 thyself G4572 God. G2316
34 Jesus G2424 answered G611 them, G846 Is it G2076 not G3756 written G1125 in G1722 your G5216 law, G3551 I G1473 said, G2036 Ye are G2075 gods? G2316
35 If G1487 he called G2036 them G1565 gods, G2316 unto G4314 whom G3739 the word G3056 of God G2316 came, G1096 and G2532 the scripture G1124 cannot G3756 G1410 be broken; G3089
36 Say G3004 ye G5210 of him, whom G3739 the Father G3962 hath sanctified, G37 and G2532 sent G649 into G1519 the world, G2889 G3754 Thou blasphemest; G987 because G3754 I said, G2036 I am G1510 the Son G5207 of God? G2316
37 If G1487 I do G4160 not G3756 the works G2041 of my G3450 Father, G3962 believe G4100 me G3427 not. G3361
38 But G1161 if G1487 I do, G4160 though G2579 ye believe G4100 not G3361 me, G1698 believe G4100 the works: G2041 that G2443 ye may know, G1097 and G2532 believe, G4100 that G3754 the Father G3962 is in G1722 me, G1698 and I G2504 in G1722 him. G846
39 Therefore G3767 they sought G2212 again G3825 to take G4084 him: G846 but G2532 he escaped G1831 out of G1537 their G846 hand, G5495
40 And G2532 went away G565 again G3825 beyond G4008 Jordan G2446 into G1519 the place G5117 where G3699 John G2491 at first G4412 baptized; G907 G2258 and G2532 there G1563 he abode. G3306
41 And G2532 many G4183 resorted G2064 unto G4314 him, G846 and G2532 said, G3004 G3754 John G2491 did G4160 no G3303 G3762 miracle: G4592 but G1161 all things G3956 that G3745 John G2491 spake G2036 of G4012 this man G5127 were G2258 true. G227
42 And G2532 many G4183 believed G4100 on G1519 him G846 there. G1563
1 Verily, 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.
2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.
4 When he hath put forth all his own, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.
6 This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.
7 Jesus therefore said unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.
8 All that came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.
9 I 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.
10 The thief cometh not, but that he may steal, and kill, and destroy: I came that they may have life, and may have `it' abundantly.
11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd layeth down his life for the sheep.
12 He 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':
13 `he fleeth' because he is a hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
14 I am the good shepherd; and I know mine own, and mine own know me,
15 even as the Father knoweth me, and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.
16 And 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.
17 Therefore doth the Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I may take it again.
18 No 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.
19 There arose a division again among the Jews because of these words.
20 And many of them said, He hath a demon, and is mad; why hear ye him?
21 Others said, These are not the sayings of one possessed with a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?
22 And it was the feast of the dedication at Jerusalem:
23 it was winter; and Jesus was walking in the temple in Solomon's porch.
24 The 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.
25 Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believe not: the works that I do in my Father's name, these bear witness of me.
26 But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep.
27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
28 and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand.
29 My 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.
30 I and the Father are one.
31 The Jews took up stones again to stone him.
32 Jesus answered them, Many good works have I showed you from the Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?
33 The Jews answered him, For a good work we stone thee not, but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.
34 Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, ye are gods?
35 If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came (and the scripture cannot be broken),
36 say ye of him, whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am `the' Son of God?
37 If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.
38 But 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.
39 They sought again to take him: and he went forth out of their hand.
40 And he went away again beyond the Jordan into the place where John was at the first baptizing; and there be abode.
41 And many came unto him; and they said, John indeed did no sign: but all things whatsoever John spake of this man were true.
42 And many believed on him there.
1 `Verily, verily, I say to you, He who is not entering through the door to the fold of the sheep, but is going up from another side, that one is a thief and a robber;
2 and he who is entering through the door is shepherd of the sheep;
3 to this one the doorkeeper doth open, and the sheep hear his voice, and his own sheep he doth call by name, and doth lead them forth;
4 and when his own sheep he may put forth, before them he goeth on, and the sheep follow him, because they have known his voice;
5 and a stranger they will not follow, but will flee from him, because they have not known the voice of strangers.'
6 This similitude spake Jesus to them, and they knew not what the things were that he was speaking to them;
7 Jesus said therefore again to them, `Verily, verily, I say to you -- I am the door of the sheep;
8 all, as many as came before me, are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them;
9 I am the door, through me if any one may come in, he shall be saved, and he shall come in, and go out, and find pasture.
10 `The thief doth not come, except that he may steal, and kill, and destroy; I came that they may have life, and may have `it' abundantly.
11 `I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd his life layeth down for the sheep;
12 and the hireling, and not being a shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, doth behold the wolf coming, and doth leave the sheep, and doth flee; and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep;
13 and the hireling doth flee because he is an hireling, and is not caring for the sheep.
14 `I am the good shepherd, and I know my `sheep', and am known by mine,
15 according as the Father doth know me, and I know the Father, and my life I lay down for the sheep,
16 and other sheep I have that are not of this fold, these also it behoveth me to bring, and my voice they will hear, and there shall become one flock -- one shepherd.
17 `Because of this doth the Father love me, because I lay down my life, that again I may take it;
18 no one doth take it from me, but I lay it down of myself; authority I have to lay it down, and authority I have again to take it; this command I received from my Father.'
19 Therefore, again, there came a division among the Jews, because of these words,
20 and many of them said, `He hath a demon, and is mad, why do ye hear him?'
21 others said, `These sayings are not those of a demoniac; is a demon able blind men's eyes to open?'
22 And the dedication in Jerusalem came, and it was winter,
23 and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the porch of Solomon,
24 the Jews, therefore, came round about him, and said to him, `Till when our soul dost thou hold in suspense? if thou art the Christ, tell us freely.'
25 Jesus answered them, `I told you, and ye do not believe; the works that I do in the name of my Father, these testify concerning me;
26 but ye do not believe, for ye are not of my sheep,
27 according as I said to you: My sheep my voice do hear, and I know them, and they follow me,
28 and life age-during I give to them, and they shall not perish -- to the age, and no one shall pluck them out of my hand;
29 my Father, who hath given to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to pluck out of the hand of my Father;
30 I and the Father are one.'
31 Therefore, again, did the Jews take up stones that they may stone him;
32 Jesus answered them, `Many good works did I shew you from my Father; because of which work of them do ye stone me?'
33 The Jews answered him, saying, `For a good work we do not stone thee, but for evil speaking, and because thou, being a man, dost make thyself God.'
34 Jesus answered them, `Is it not having been written in your law: I said, ye are gods?
35 if them he did call gods unto whom the word of God came, (and the Writing is not able to be broken,)
36 of him whom the Father did sanctify, and send to the world, do ye say -- Thou speakest evil, because I said, Son of God I am?
37 if I do not the works of my Father, do not believe me;
38 and if I do, even if me ye may not believe, the works believe, that ye may know and may believe that in me `is' the Father, and I in Him.'
39 Therefore were they seeking again to seize him, and he went forth out of their hand,
40 and went away again to the other side of the Jordan, to the place where John was at first baptizing, and remained there,
41 and many came unto him, and said -- `John, indeed, did no sign, and all things, as many as John said about this one were true;'
42 and many did believe in him there.
1 Verily, verily, I say to you, He that enters not in by the door to the fold of the sheep, but mounts up elsewhere, *he* is a thief and a robber;
2 but he that enters in by the door is [the] shepherd of the sheep.
3 To him the porter opens; and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name, and leads them out.
4 When he has put forth all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, because they know his voice.
5 But they will not follow a stranger, but will flee from him, because they know not the voice of strangers.
6 This allegory spoke Jesus to them, but they did not know what it was [of] which he spoke to them.
7 Jesus therefore said again to them, Verily, verily, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.
8 All whoever came before me are thieves and robbers; but the sheep did not hear them.
9 I am the door: if any one enter in by me, he shall be saved, and shall go in and shall go out and shall find pasture.
10 The thief comes not but that he may steal, and kill, and destroy: I am come that they might have life, and might have [it] abundantly.
11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep:
12 but he who serves for wages, and who is not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf seizes them and scatters the sheep.
13 Now he who serves for wages flees because he serves for wages, and is not himself concerned about the sheep.
14 I am the good shepherd; and I know those that are mine, and am known of those that are mine,
15 as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.
16 And I have other sheep which are not of this fold: those also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one flock, one shepherd.
17 On this account the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it again.
18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have authority to lay it down and I have authority to take it again. I have received this commandment of my Father.
19 There was a division again among the Jews on account of these words;
20 but many of them said, He has a demon and raves; why do ye hear him?
21 Others said, These sayings are not [those] of one that is possessed by a demon. Can a demon open blind people's eyes?
22 Now the feast of the dedication was celebrating at Jerusalem, and it was winter.
23 And Jesus walked in the temple in the porch of Solomon.
24 The Jews therefore surrounded him, and said to him, Until when dost thou hold our soul in suspense? If thou art the Christ, say [so] to us openly.
25 Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye do not believe. The works which I do in my Father's name, these bear witness concerning me:
26 but ye do not believe, for ye are not of my sheep, as I told you.
27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me;
28 and I give them life eternal; and they shall never perish, and no one shall seize them out of my hand.
29 My Father who has given [them] to me is greater than all, and no one can seize out of the hand of my Father.
30 I and the Father are one.
31 The Jews therefore again took stones that they might stone him.
32 Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewn you of my Father; for which work of them do ye stone me?
33 The Jews answered him, For a good work we stone thee not, but for blasphemy, and because thou, being a man, makest thyself God.
34 Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?
35 If he called *them* gods to whom the word of God came (and the scripture cannot be broken),
36 do ye say of him whom the Father has sanctified and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest, because I said, I am Son of God?
37 If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not;
38 but if I do, even if ye believe not me, believe the works, that ye may know [and believe] that the Father is in me and I in him.
39 They sought therefore again to take him; and he went away from out of their hand
40 and departed again beyond the Jordan to the place where John was baptising at the first: and he abode there.
41 And many came to him, and said, John did no sign; but all things which John said of this [man] were true.
42 And many believed on him there.
1 "Most assuredly, I tell you, one who doesn't enter by the door into the sheep fold, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
2 But one who enters in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name, and leads them out.
4 Whenever he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.
5 They will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him; for they don't know the voice of strangers."
6 Jesus spoke this parable to them, but they didn't understand what he was telling them.
7 Jesus therefore said to them again, "Most assuredly, I tell you, I am the sheep's door.
8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep didn't listen to them.
9 I am the door. If anyone enters in by me, he will be saved, and will go in and go out, and will find pasture.
10 The thief only comes to steal, kill, and destroy. I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly.
11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
12 He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who doesn't own the sheep, sees the wolf coming, leaves the sheep, and flees. The wolf snatches the sheep, and scatters them.
13 The hired hand flees because he is a hired hand, and doesn't care for the sheep.
14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and I'm known by my own;
15 even as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. I lay down my life for the sheep.
16 I have other sheep, which are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will hear my voice. They will become one flock with one shepherd.
17 Therefore the Father loves me, because I lay down my life, that I may take it again.
18 No one takes it away from me, but I lay it down by myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. I received this commandment from my Father."
19 Therefore a division arose again among the Jews because of these words.
20 Many of them said, "He has a demon, and is insane! Why do you listen to him?"
21 Others said, "These are not the sayings of one possessed by a demon. It isn't possible for a demon to open the eyes of the blind, is it?"
22 It was the Feast of the Dedication{The "Feast of the Dedication" is the Greek name for "Chanukkah," a celebration of the rededication of the Temple.} at Jerusalem.
23 It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in Solomon's porch.
24 The Jews therefore came around him and said to him, "How long will you hold us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly."
25 Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you don't believe. The works that I do in my Father's name, these testify about me.
26 But you don't believe, because you are not of my sheep, as I told you.
27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
28 I give eternal life to them. They will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.
29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all. No one is able to snatch them out of my Father's hand.
30 I and the Father are one."
31 Therefore Jews took up stones again to stone him.
32 Jesus answered them, "I have shown you many good works from my Father. For which of those works do you stone me?"
33 The Jews answered him, "We don't stone you for a good work, but for blasphemy: because you, being a man, make yourself God."
34 Jesus answered them, "Isn't it written in your law, 'I said, you are gods?'
35 If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture can't be broken),
36 Do you say of him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, 'You blaspheme,' because I said, 'I am the Son of God?'
37 If I don't do the works of my Father, don't believe me.
38 But if I do them, though you don't believe me, believe the works; that you may know and believe that the Father is in me, and I in the Father."
39 They sought again to seize him, and he went out of their hand.
40 He went away again beyond the Jordan into the place where John was baptizing at first, and there he stayed.
41 Many came to him. They said, "John indeed did no sign, but everything that John said about this man is true."
42 Many believed in him there.
1 Truly I say to you, He who does not go through the door into the place where the sheep are kept, but gets in by some other way, is a thief and an outlaw.
2 He who goes in by the door is the keeper of the sheep.
3 The porter lets him in; and the sheep give ear to his voice; he says over the names of the sheep, and takes them out.
4 When he has got them all out, he goes before them, and the sheep go after him, for they have knowledge of his voice.
5 They will not go after another who is not their keeper, but will go from him in flight, because his voice is strange to them.
6 In this Jesus was teaching them in the form of a story: but what he said was not clear to them.
7 So Jesus said again, Truly I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.
8 All who came before me are thieves and outlaws: but the sheep did not give ear to them.
9 I am the door: if any man goes in through me he will have salvation, and will go in and go out, and will get food.
10 The thief comes only to take the sheep and to put them to death: he comes for their destruction: I have come so that they may have life and have it in greater measure.
11 I am the good keeper of sheep: the good keeper gives his life for the sheep.
12 He who is a servant, and not the keeper or the owner of the sheep, sees the wolf coming and goes in flight, away from the sheep; and the wolf comes down on them and sends them in all directions:
13 Because he is a servant he has no interest in the sheep.
14 I am the good keeper; I have knowledge of my sheep, and they have knowledge of me,
15 Even as the Father has knowledge of me and I of the Father; and I am giving my life for the sheep.
16 And I have other sheep which are not of this field: I will be their guide in the same way, and they will give ear to my voice, so there will be one flock and one keeper.
17 For this reason am I loved by the Father, because I give up my life so that I may take it again.
18 No one takes it away from me; I give it up of myself. I have power to give it up, and I have power to take it again. These orders I have from my Father.
19 There was a division again among the Jews because of these words.
20 And a number of them said, He has an evil spirit and is out of his mind; why do you give ear to him?
21 Others said, These are not the words of one who has an evil spirit. Is it possible for an evil spirit to make blind people see?
22 Then came the feast of the opening of the Temple in Jerusalem: it was winter;
23 And Jesus was walking in the Temple, in Solomon's covered way.
24 Then the Jews came round him, saying, how long are you going to keep us in doubt? If you are the Christ, say so clearly.
25 Jesus said in answer, I have said it and you have no belief: the works which I do in my Father's name, these give witness about me.
26 But you have no belief because you are not of my sheep.
27 My sheep give ear to my voice, and I have knowledge of them, and they come after me:
28 And I give them eternal life; they will never come to destruction, and no one will ever take them out of my hand.
29 That which my Father has given to me has more value than all; and no one is able to take anything out of the Father's hand.
30 I and my Father are one.
31 Then the Jews took up stones again to send at him.
32 Jesus said to them in answer, I have let you see a number of good works from the Father; for which of those works are you stoning me?
33 This was their answer: We are not stoning you for a good work but for evil words; because being a man you make yourself God.
34 In answer, Jesus said, Is there not a saying in your law, I said, You are gods?
35 If he said they were gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Writings may not be broken),
36 Do you say of him whom the Father made holy and sent into the world, Your words are evil; because I said, I am God's Son?
37 If I am not doing the works of my Father, do not have belief in me;
38 But if I am doing them, then have belief in the works even if you have no belief in me; so that you may see clearly and be certain that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.
39 Then again they made an attempt to take him; but he got away from them.
40 And he went again to the other side of the Jordan, to the place where John first gave baptism; and he was there for a time.
41 And a great number of people came to him, saying, John did no sign: but everything John said of this man was true.
42 And a number came to have faith in him there.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on John 10
Commentary on John 10 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 10
Joh 10:1-21. The Good Shepherd.
This discourse seems plainly to be a continuation of the closing verses of the ninth chapter. The figure was familiar to the Jewish ear (from Jer 23:1-40; Eze 34:1-31; Zec 11:1-17, &c.). "This simple creature [the sheep] has this special note among all animals, that it quickly hears the voice of the shepherd, follows no one else, depends entirely on him, and seeks help from him alone—cannot help itself, but is shut up to another's aid" [Luther in Stier].
1, 2. He that entereth not by the door—the legitimate way (without saying what that was, as yet).
into the sheepfold—the sacred enclosure of God's true people.
climbeth up some other way—not referring to the assumption of ecclesiastical office without an external call, for those Jewish rulers, specially aimed at, had this (Mt 23:2), but to the want of a true spiritual commission, the seal of heaven going along with the outward authority; it is the assumption of the spiritual guidance of the people without this that is meant.
2. he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep—a true, divinely recognized shepherd.
3. To him the porter openeth—that is, right of free access is given, by order of Him to whom the sheep belong; for it is better not to give the allusion a more specific interpretation [Calvin, Meyer, Luthardt].
and the sheep hear his voice—This and all that follows, though it admits of important application to every faithful shepherd of God's flock, is in its direct and highest sense true only of "the great Shepherd of the sheep," who in the first five verses seems plainly, under the simple character of a true shepherd, to be drawing His own portrait [Lampe, Stier, &c.].
7-14. I am the door of the sheep—that is, the way in to the fold, with all blessed privileges, both for shepherds and sheep (compare Joh 14:6; Eph 2:18).
8. All that ever came before me—the false prophets; not as claiming the prerogatives of Messiah, but as perverters of the people from the way of life, all pointing to Him [Olshausen].
the sheep did not hear them—the instinct of their divinely taught hearts preserving them from seducers, and attaching them to the heaven-sent prophets, of whom it is said that "the Spirit of Christ was in them" (1Pe 1:11).
9. by me if any man enter in—whether shepherd or sheep.
shall be saved—the great object of the pastoral office, as of all the divine arrangements towards mankind.
and shall go in and out and find pasture—in, as to a place of safety and repose; out, as to "green pastures and still waters" (Ps 23:2) for nourishment and refreshing, and all this only transferred to another clime, and enjoyed in another manner, at the close of this earthly scene (Re 7:17).
10. I am come that they might have life, and … more abundantly—not merely to preserve but impart LIFE, and communicate it in rich and unfailing exuberance. What a claim! Yet it is only an echo of all His teaching; and He who uttered these and like words must be either a blasphemer, all worthy of the death He died, or "God with us"—there can be no middle course.
11. I am the good shepherd—emphatically, and, in the sense intended, exclusively so (Isa 40:11; Eze 34:23; 37:24; Zec 13:7).
the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep—Though this may be said of literal shepherds, who, even for their brute flock, have, like David, encountered "the lion and the bear" at the risk of their own lives, and still more of faithful pastors who, like the early bishops of Rome, have been the foremost to brave the fury of their enemies against the flock committed to their care; yet here, beyond doubt, it points to the struggle which was to issue in the willing surrender of the Redeemer's own life, to save His sheep from destruction.
12. an hireling … whose own the sheep are not—who has no property, in them. By this He points to His own peculiar relation to the sheep, the same as His Father's, the great Proprietor and Lord of the flock, who styles Him "My Shepherd, the Man that is My Fellow" (Zec 13:7), and though faithful under-shepherds are so in their Master's interest, that they feel a measure of His own concern for their charge, the language is strictly applicable only to "the Son over His own house" (Heb 3:6).
seeth the wolf coming—not the devil distinctively, as some take it [Stier, Alford, &c.], but generally whoever comes upon the flock with hostile intent, in whatever form: though the wicked one, no doubt, is at the bottom of such movements [Luthardt].
14. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep—in the peculiar sense of 2Ti 2:19.
am known of mine—the soul's response to the voice that has inwardly and efficaciously called it; for of this mutual loving acquaintance ours is the effect of His. "The Redeemer's knowledge of us is the active element, penetrating us with His power and life; that of believers is the passive principle, the reception of His life and light. In this reception, however, an assimilation of the soul to the sublime object of its knowledge and love takes place; and thus an activity, though a derived one, is unfolded, which shows itself in obedience to His commands" [Olshausen]. From this mutual knowledge Jesus rises to another and loftier reciprocity of knowledge.
15-18. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father—What claim to absolute equality with the Father could exceed this? (See on Mt 11:27).
and I lay down my life for the sheep—How sublime this, immediately following the lofty claim of the preceding clause! It is the riches and the poverty of "the Word made flesh"—one glorious Person reaching at once up to the Throne and down even to the dust of death, "that we might live through Him." A candid interpretation of the words, "for the sheep," ought to go far to establish the special relation of the vicarious death of Christ to the Church.
16. other sheep I have … not of this fold: them also I must bring—He means the perishing Gentiles, already His "sheep" in the love of His heart and the purpose of His grace to "bring them" in due time.
they shall hear my voice—This is not the language of mere foresight that they would believe, but the expression of a purpose to draw them to Himself by an inward and efficacious call, which would infallibly issue in their spontaneous accession to Him.
and there shall be one fold—rather "one flock" (for the word for "fold," as in the foregoing verses, is quite different).
17. Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, &c.—As the highest act of the Son's love to the Father was the laying down of His life for the sheep at His "commandment," so the Father's love to Him as His incarnate Son reaches its consummation, and finds its highest justification, in that sublimest and most affecting of all acts.
that I might take it again—His resurrection-life being indispensable to the accomplishment of the fruit of His death.
18. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down myself: I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again—It is impossible for language more plainly and emphatically to express the absolute voluntariness of Christ's death, such a voluntariness as it would be manifest presumption in any mere creature to affirm of his own death. It is beyond all doubt the language of One who was conscious that His life was His own (which no creature's is), and therefore His to surrender or retain at will. Here lay the glory of His sacrifice, that it was purely voluntary. The claim of "power to take it again" is no less important, as showing that His resurrection, though ascribed to the Father, in the sense we shall presently see, was nevertheless His own assertion of His own right to life as soon as the purposes of His voluntary death were accomplished.
This commandment—to "lay down His—life, that He might take it again."
have I received of my Father—So that Christ died at once by "command" of His Father, and by such a voluntary obedience to that command as has made Him (so to speak) infinitely dear to the Father. The necessity of Christ's death, in the light of these profound sayings, must be manifest to all but the superficial student.
19-21. There was a division … again among the Jews for these sayings—the light and the darkness revealing themselves with increasing clearness in the separation of the teachable from the obstinately prejudiced. The one saw in Him only "a devil and a madman"; the other revolted at the thought that such words could come from one possessed, and sight be given to the blind by a demoniac; showing clearly that a deeper impression had been made upon them than their words expressed.
Joh 10:22-42. Discourse at the Feast of Dedication—From the Fury of His Enemies Jesus Escapes beyond Jordan, Where Many Believe on Him.
22, 23. it was … the feast of the dedication—celebrated rather more than two months after the feast of tabernacles, during which intermediate period our Lord seems to have remained in the neighborhood of Jerusalem. It was instituted by Jude Maccabeus, to commemorate the purification of the temple from the profanations to which it had been subjected by Antiochus Epiphanes 165 B.C., and kept for eight days, from the twenty-fifth Chisleu (December), the day on which Judas began the first joyous celebration of it (1 Maccabees 4:52,56,59; and Josephus, Antiquities, 7.7.7).
it was winter—implying some inclemency. Therefore,
23. Jesus walked … in Solomon's porch—for shelter. This portico was on the east side of the temple, and Josephus says it was part of the original structure of Solomon [Antiquities, 20.9.7].
24. Then came the Jews—the rulers. (See on Joh 1:19).
How long dost thou make us to doubt?—"hold us in suspense" (Margin).
If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly—But when the plainest evidence of it was resisted, what weight could a mere assertion of it have?
25, 26. Jesus answered them, I told you—that is, in substance, what I am (for example Joh 7:37, 38; 8:12, 35, 36, 58).
26. ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said—referring to the whole strain of the Parable of the Sheep, (Joh 10:1, &c.).
27-30. My sheep hear my voice, &c.—(See on Joh 10:8).
28. I give unto them eternal life—not "will give them"; for it is a present gift. (See on Joh 3:36; Joh 5:24). It is a very grand utterance, couched in the language of majestic authority.
29. My Father, which gave them me—(See on Joh 6:37-39).
is greater than all—with whom no adverse power can contend. It is a general expression of an admitted truth, and what follows shows for what purpose it was uttered, "and none is able to pluck them out of My Father's hand." The impossibility of true believers being lost, in the midst of all the temptations which they may encounter, does not consist in their fidelity and decision, but is founded upon the power of God. Here the doctrine of predestination is presented in its sublime and sacred aspect; there is a predestination of the holy, which is taught from one end of the Scriptures to the other; not, indeed, of such a nature that an "irresistible grace" compels the opposing will of man (of course not), but so that that will of man which receives and loves the commands of God is produced only by God's grace (Olshausen—a testimony all the more valuable, being given in spite of Lutheran prejudice).
30. I and my Father are one—Our language admits not of the precision of the original in this great saying. "Are" is in the masculine gender—"we (two persons) are"; while "one" is neuter—"one thing." Perhaps "one interest" expresses, as nearly as may be, the purport of the saying. There seemed to be some contradiction between His saying they had been given by His Father into His own hands, out of which they could not be plucked, and then saying that none could pluck them out of His Father's hands, as if they had not been given out of them. "Neither have they," says He; "though He has given them to Me, they are as much in His own almighty hands as ever—they cannot be, and when given to Me they are not, given away from Himself; for He and I HAVE ALL IN COMMON." Thus it will be seen, that, though oneness of essence is not the precise thing here affirmed, that truth is the basis of what is affirmed, without which it would not be true. And Augustine was right in saying the "We are" condemns the Sabellians (who denied the distinction of Persons in the Godhead), while the "one" (as explained) condemns the Arians (who denied the unity of their essence).
31. Then the Jews took up stones again to stone Him—and for precisely the same thing as before (Joh 8:58, 59).
32. Many good works have I showed you—that is, works of pure benevolence (as in Ac 10:38, "Who went about doing good," &c.; see Mr 7:37).
from my Father—not so much by His power, but as directly commissioned by Him to do them. This He says to meet the imputation of unwarrantable assumption of the divine prerogatives [Luthardt].
for which of those works do ye stone me?—"are ye stoning (that is, going to stone) me?"
33. for a blasphemy—whose legal punishment was stoning (Le 24:11-16).
thou, being a man—that is, a man only.
makest thyself God—Twice before they understood Him to advance the same claim, and both times they prepared themselves to avenge what they took to be the insulted honor of God, as here, in the way directed by their law (Joh 5:18; 8:59).
34-36. Is it not written in your law—in Ps 82:6, respecting judges or magistrates.
Ye are gods—being the official representatives and commissioned agents of God.
35, 36. If he called them gods unto whom the word of God came … Say ye of him whom the Father hath sanctified and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest—The whole force of this reasoning, which has been but in part seized by the commentators, lies in what is said of the two parties compared. The comparison of Himself with mere men, divinely commissioned, is intended to show (as Neander well expresses it) that the idea of a communication of the Divine Majesty to human nature was by no means foreign to the revelations of the Old Testament; but there is also a contrast between Himself and all merely human representatives of God—the one "sanctified by the Father and sent into the world"; the other, "to whom the word of God (merely) came," which is expressly designed to prevent His being massed up with them as only one of many human officials of God. It is never said of Christ that "the word of the Lord came to Him"; whereas this is the well-known formula by which the divine commission, even to the highest of mere men, is expressed, as John the Baptist (Lu 3:2). The reason is that given by the Baptist himself (see on Joh 3:31). The contrast is between those "to whom the word of God came"—men of the earth, earthy, who were merely privileged to get a divine message to utter (if prophets), or a divine office to discharge (if judges)—and "Him whom (not being of the earth at all) the Father sanctified (or set apart), and sent into the world," an expression never used of any merely human messenger of God, and used only of Himself.
because, I said, I am the Son of God—It is worthy of special notice that our Lord had not said, in so many words, that He was the Son of God, on this occasion. But He had said what beyond doubt amounted to it—namely, that He gave His sheep eternal life, and none could pluck them out of His hand; that He had got them from His Father, in whose hands, though given to Him, they still remained, and out of whose hand none could pluck them; and that they were the indefeasible property of both, inasmuch as "He and His Father were one." Our Lord considers all this as just saying of Himself, "I am the Son of God"—one nature with Him, yet mysteriously of Him. The parenthesis (Joh 10:35), "and the Scripture cannot be broken," referring to the terms used of magistrates in the eighty-second Psalm, has an important bearing on the authority of the living oracles. "The Scripture, as the expressed will of the unchangeable God, is itself unchangeable and indissoluble" [Olshausen]. (Compare Mt 5:17).
37-39. though ye believe not me, believe the works—There was in Christ's words, independently of any miracles, a self-evidencing truth, majesty and grace, which those who had any spiritual susceptibility were unable to resist (Joh 7:46; 8:30). But, for those who wanted this, "the works" were a mighty help. When these failed, the case was desperate indeed.
that ye may know and believe that the Father is in me, and I in him—thus reiterating His claim to essential oneness with the Father, which He had only seemed to soften down, that He might calm their rage and get their ear again for a moment.
39. Therefore they sought again to take him—true to their original understanding of His words, for they saw perfectly well that He meant to "make Himself God" throughout all this dialogue.
he escaped out of their hand—(See on Lu 4:30; Joh 8:59).
40-42. went away again beyond Jordan … the place where John at first baptized—(See on Joh 1:28).
41. many resorted to him—on whom the ministry of the Baptist had left permanent impressions.
John did no miracle, but all things John spake of this man were true—what they now heard and saw in Jesus only confirming in their minds the divinity of His forerunner's mission, though unaccompanied by any of His Master's miracles. And thus, "many believed on Him there."