Introduction
John chapter 10 presents Jesus using the imagery of a shepherd and his sheep to describe his relationship with those who believe in him. He explains that he is the good shepherd who knows his sheep intimately and willingly lays down his life for them, contrasting himself with hired hands who abandon the sheep in times of danger. Jesus also declares that he is the door through which anyone must enter to find true safety and eternal life, emphasizing that access to God comes only through him.
As the chapter progresses, Jesus speaks of the unity between himself and the Father, affirming that his sheep will never be lost from his hand and that he and the Father are one. This declaration leads to intense conflict with the Jewish leaders, who accuse him of blasphemy for claiming equality with God, prompting them to attempt to stone him. Jesus defends his claim by pointing to his works, insisting that his actions testify to his divine identity even if his words alone are not accepted. The chapter closes with Jesus withdrawing to the region beyond the Jordan, where many people come to believe in him after witnessing his ministry, highlighting the growing division between faith and rejection among those who encounter him.
Chapter 10
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.
Important Verses
- John 10:9 Jesus declares that he is the door, and that whoever enters through him will find safety and eternal life.
- John 10:11 Jesus describes himself as the good shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep, demonstrating sacrificial love.
- John 10:14 to 15 Jesus explains the intimate relationship between himself and his followers, comparing it to the deep knowledge shared between the Father and the Son.
- John 10:28 to 29 Jesus promises that no one can snatch his sheep out of his hand, affirming the eternal security of those who belong to him.
- John 10:30 Jesus declares that he and the Father are one, a statement affirming his divine nature and unity with God.
- John 10:41 to 42 Many people come to believe in Jesus after witnessing his works, showing the growing impact of his ministry.
