*Verse by Verse Commentary from Adam Clark, Matthew Henry, Charles Spurgeon and John Gill.
*John 10:1-18
J10:1 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.
I assure you and most solemnly say to you, he who does not enter by the door into the sheepfold, but climbs up from some other place [on the stone wall], that one is a thief and a robber.but climbeth up some other way; by hypocrisy and deceit: or, like the prophets of old, who ran and were not sent; prophesied when they were not spoken to, but took their place and post by usurpation:
the same is a thief and a robber; steals into the church, or into an office in it, and robs God or Christ of their power and authority.
But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep [the protector and provider].
But he that entereth in by the door; With a divine commission, and by a divine authority, he is the shepherd of the sheep; by whom Christ means Himself, as is evident.
The doorkeeper opens [the gate] for this man, and the sheep hear his voice and pay attention to it. And [knowing that they listen] he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out [to pasture].
John the Baptist was the porter who opened the door of Christ’s earthly ministry by bearing witness that he was the Son of God.
When he has brought all his own sheep outside, he walks on ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice and recognize his call.
He calls his own sheep by name, so exact is the notice he takes of them, the account he keeps of them; and he leads them our from the fold to the green pastures;
They will never follow a stranger, but will run away from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers.
They know his voice, so as to discern his mind by it, and to distinguish it from that of a stranger and a stranger will they not follow, but, as suspecting some ill design, will flee from him, not knowing his voice, but that it is not the voice of their own shepherd.
Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what He was talking about.
This parable spake Jesus unto them; To the Pharisees, who were with Him, but they understood not what things they were which He spake unto them; the things spoken by him being delivered in a parabolical way, though in lively figures, and in terms plain and easy to be understood; yet what through the blindness of their minds, and the hardness of their hearts, and their prejudices in favor of themselves, and against Christ, they did not understand what were meant by them.
J10:7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.
So Jesus said again, I assure you and most solemnly say to you, I am the Door for the sheep [leading to life].
I am the door of the sheep; and of none but them; not of goats, dogs, or swine; none but sheep enter at this door;
All who came before Me [as false messiahs and self-appointed leaders] are thieves and robbers, but the [true] sheep did not hear them.
All that ever came before Me are thieves and robbers,.... but the sheep did not hear them; the elect of God, some of which there were in all ages, though their number is comparatively few, did not attend to the false prophets, and false teachers, and idol shepherds; did not receive their doctrines, nor follow their practices; for it is not possible that these should be finally and totally deceived, or carried away with the error of the wicked.
I am the Door; anyone who enters through Me will be saved [and will live forever], and will go in and out [freely], and find pasture (spiritual security).
Christ is the door of the sheep: shall not only by safe from thieves and robbers, but he shall be happy, he shall go in and out.
The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows].
The thief came to take away life, but Christ came to give life, and that abundant life which shall last for ever and ever; but see what it cost him to give that life.
I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His [own] life for the sheep.
I am the good shepherd; A shepherd of his Father's appointing, calling, and sending, to whom the care of all His sheep.....the good shepherd giveth His life for the sheep: not only exposes it to danger, as David did his, for the sake of his father's flock, but gives it away freely and voluntarily, for the sake of the sheep.
But the hired man [who merely serves for wages], who is neither the shepherd nor the owner of the sheep, when he sees the wolf coming, deserts the flock and runs away; and the wolf snatches the sheep and scatters them.
Just now the contrast was between the Shepherd and the thief. Here it is between the Shepherd and the hireling. The hireling cares for himself; the Shepherd cares for the sheep and provides for them and cares for them even at the cost of his life.
The man runs because he is a hired hand [who serves only for wages] and is not concerned about the [safety of the] sheep.
The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling; And has no propriety in the sheep; had he, he would abide by them, and defend them; but because he has not, he will not expose himself to any danger, but leaves them: and careth not for the sheep; what becomes of them, providing only for his own safety.
I am the Good Shepherd, and I know [without any doubt those who are] My own and My own know Me [and have a deep, personal relationship with Me].
There is mutual knowledge between the Shepherd and the sheep, and between the Father and the Son.
even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father—and I lay down My [very own] life [sacrificing it] for the benefit of the sheep.
and I lay down My life for the sheep;
which proves Him to be the good shepherd.
I have other sheep [beside these] that are not of this fold. I must bring those also, and they will listen to My voice and pay attention to My call, and they will become one flock with one Shepherd.
The flock would never be complete without those “other sheep” which the Shepherd says He must bring into the fold, and which He says shall hear His voice.
For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My [own] life so that I may take it back.
The voluntariness of Christ’s sacrifice is its glory.
No one takes it away from Me, but I lay it down voluntarily. I am authorized and have power to lay it down and to give it up, and I am authorized and have power to take it back. This command I have received from My Father.
I have power - Or, authority. This commandment have I received - That is, I act according to the Divine commandment in executing these things, and giving you this information.
Through this door all His children, from the earliest times, have found entrance.
In Jesus, as shown in types, as shadowed in symbols, as manifested in the revelation of the prophets, as unveiled in the lessons given to His disciples, and in the miracles wrought for the sons of men, they have beheld "the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world" (John 1:29), and through Him they are brought within the fold of His grace."
Desire of Ages (E.G.W.)
Desire of Ages (E.G.W.)
