John 10
BSB1 “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. 2 But the one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 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. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will flee from him because they do not recognize his voice." 6 Jesus spoke to them using this illustration, but they did not understand what He was telling them. 7 So He said to them again, “Truly, truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who came before Me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the gate. If anyone enters through Me, he will be saved. He will come in and go out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness. 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd, and the sheep are not his own. When he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf pounces on them and scatters the flock. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired servant and is unconcerned for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd. I know My sheep and My sheep know Me, 15 just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father. And I lay down My life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them in as well, and they will listen to My voice. Then there will be one flock and one shepherd. 17 The reason the Father loves Me is that I lay down My life in order to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of My own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from My Father." 19 Again there was division among the Jews because of Jesus’ message. 20 Many of them said, “He is demon-possessed and insane. Why would you listen to Him?" 21 But others replied, “These are not the words of a man possessed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?" 22 At that time the Feast of Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter, 23 and Jesus was walking in the temple courts in Solomon’s Colonnade. 24 So the Jews gathered around Him and demanded, “How long will You keep us in suspense? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly." 25 “I already told you,” Jesus replied, “but you did not believe. The works I do in My Father’s name testify on My behalf. 26 But because you are not My sheep, you refuse to believe. 27 My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father who has given them to Me is greater than all. No one can snatch them out of My Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one." 31 At this, the Jews again picked up stones to stone Him. 32 But Jesus responded, “I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these do you stone Me?" 33 “We are not stoning You for any good work,” said the Jews, “but for blasphemy, because You, who are a man, declare Yourself to be God." 34 Jesus replied, “Is it not written in your Law: ‘I have said you are gods’ ? 35 If he called them gods to whom the word of God came—and the Scripture cannot be broken— 36 then what about the One whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world? How then can you accuse Me of blasphemy for stating that I am the Son of God? 37 If I am not doing the works of My Father, then do not believe Me. 38 But if I am doing them, even though you do not believe Me, believe the works themselves, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in Me, and I am in the Father." 39 At this, they tried again to seize Him, but He escaped their grasp. 40 Then Jesus went back across the Jordan to the place where John had first been baptizing, and He stayed there. 41 Many came to Him and said, “Although John never performed a sign, everything he said about this man was true." 42 And many in that place believed in Jesus.
Study Notes — John 10
- Chapter Summary
- Context for the Chapter
- Heart Application
- What Does This Chapter Mean?
- Voices from the Church
- Outline for Preaching
- Core Doctrines
- Lessons from John 10
- Themes from John 10
- Questions for Meditation
- Detailed Chapter Outline
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Top Cross References
- Sermons on John 10
- Matthew Henry Commentary
- What Do You Notice?
Chapter Summary
In John chapter 10, Jesus teaches about His role as the Good Shepherd, who protects and cares for His sheep. He contrasts Himself with thieves and hirelings, who do not truly care for the sheep. Jesus also claims to be the Door of the sheep, through which all must enter to be saved. The chapter culminates with Jesus' statement that He and the Father are one, leading to a division among the Jews and an attempt to stone Him. Key verses include John 10:9, where Jesus says, 'I am the Door. If anyone enters through Me, he will be saved,' and John 10:11, where He says, 'I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.'
Context for the Chapter
John chapter 10 is part of the larger narrative of Jesus' ministry, as recorded in the Gospel of John. It follows Jesus' healing of the blind man in John chapter 9 and precedes His raising of Lazarus in John chapter 11. This chapter is significant because it emphasizes Jesus' role as the Good Shepherd and highlights the importance of faith in Him. It is part of the larger biblical narrative, which emphasizes God's love and care for His people.
Heart Application
As we reflect on John chapter 10, we are reminded of Jesus' love and care for us. We are called to follow Him, who is the Good Shepherd, and to trust in His protection and provision. We are also reminded of the importance of faith in Jesus, who is the only way to salvation. May we be encouraged to deepen our relationship with Him and to trust in His love and care for us.
What Does This Chapter Mean?
John chapter 10 is about Jesus, who is the Good Shepherd. He loves and cares for His followers, and He is willing to lay down His life for them. We are called to follow Him and to trust in His protection and provision, as seen in John 10:11, where Jesus says, 'I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.'
Voices from the Church
“The Lord Jesus is the Good Shepherd, who lays down His life for the sheep. He is the one who cares for us, who protects us, and who guides us.”
— Charles Spurgeon
“Christ is the Door of the sheep, through which all must enter to be saved. He is the only way to salvation, and all who come to Him will be saved.”
— John Calvin
Outline for Preaching
- The Good Shepherd (John 10:1-6) — Jesus teaches about His role as the Good Shepherd, who protects and cares for His sheep.
- The Door of the Sheep (John 10:7-10) — Jesus claims to be the Door of the sheep, through which all must enter to be saved.
- The Good Shepherd Lays Down His Life (John 10:11-18) — Jesus emphasizes His willingness to lay down His life for His sheep, demonstrating the depth of His love and care for them.
- The Division Among the Jews (John 10:19-21) — The Jews are divided over Jesus' claims, with some believing in Him and others rejecting Him.
- Jesus' Unity with the Father (John 10:22-42) — Jesus emphasizes His unity with the Father, highlighting His divinity and the importance of faith in Him.
Core Doctrines
- The Divinity of Christ
- John chapter 10 emphasizes Christ's divinity, highlighting His unity with God the Father. This is seen in John 10:30, where Jesus says, 'I and the Father are one.'
- The Importance of Faith
- This chapter emphasizes the importance of faith in Jesus, who is the only way to salvation. This is seen in John 10:9, where Jesus says, 'I am the Door. If anyone enters through Me, he will be saved.'
- The Love of God
- John chapter 10 highlights the love of God for His people, as seen in Jesus' willingness to lay down His life for His sheep.
- The Role of the Holy Spirit
- While not explicitly mentioned in this chapter, the role of the Holy Spirit is implied, as Jesus emphasizes the importance of faith and trust in Him.
Lessons from John 10
- The Importance of Spiritual Leadership — This chapter emphasizes the importance of spiritual leadership, highlighting the role of Jesus as the Good Shepherd. We are called to follow Him and to trust in His protection and provision.
- The Danger of False Teaching — The contrast between Jesus and thieves highlights the danger of false teaching and the importance of following Jesus, who is the Good Shepherd.
- The Unity of Christ and the Father — Jesus' statement that He and the Father are one emphasizes the unity of Christ and the Father, highlighting the importance of faith in Jesus.
- The Love of God for His People — This chapter highlights the love of God for His people, as seen in Jesus' willingness to lay down His life for His sheep.
- The Importance of Faith — This chapter emphasizes the importance of faith in Jesus, who is the only way to salvation.
Themes from John 10
- The Good Shepherd — This theme emphasizes Jesus' care and protection for His followers, highlighting His willingness to lay down His life for them.
- The Door of the Sheep — This theme emphasizes Jesus' role as the only way to salvation, through which all must enter to be saved.
- The Love of God — This theme highlights the love of God for His people, as seen in Jesus' willingness to lay down His life for His sheep.
- The Importance of Faith — This theme emphasizes the importance of faith in Jesus, who is the only way to salvation.
- The Unity of Christ and the Father — This theme emphasizes the unity of Christ and the Father, highlighting the importance of faith in Jesus.
Questions for Meditation
- What does it mean to be a sheep in Jesus' flock, and how can we follow Him more closely?
- How does Jesus' role as the Good Shepherd impact our understanding of God's love and care for us?
- What are some ways we can trust in Jesus' protection and provision, as seen in John 10:11?
- How can we apply the principle of laying down our lives for others, as seen in Jesus' willingness to lay down His life for His sheep?
- What are some ways we can deepen our relationship with Jesus, who is the Good Shepherd?
Detailed Chapter Outline
1. The Good Shepherd (John 10:1-6)
| John 10:1 | Jesus teaches about His role as the Good Shepherd, who protects and cares for His sheep. |
| John 10:2 | The shepherd enters through the gate, emphasizing Jesus' legitimacy and authority as the Good Shepherd. |
| John 10:3 | The gatekeeper opens the gate for the shepherd, highlighting the importance of obedience to Jesus' commands. |
| John 10:4 | The shepherd calls His own sheep by name, emphasizing Jesus' personal care and concern for each of His followers. |
| John 10:5 | The sheep follow the shepherd, highlighting the importance of following Jesus and trusting in His protection and provision. |
| John 10:6 | The parable is not understood by the Jews, highlighting the spiritual blindness of those who reject Jesus. |
2. The Door of the Sheep (John 10:7-10)
| John 10:7 | Jesus claims to be the Door of the sheep, through which all must enter to be saved. |
| John 10:8 | All who came before Jesus are thieves and robbers, highlighting the danger of false teaching and the importance of following Jesus. |
| John 10:9 | Jesus is the Door, and all who enter through Him will be saved, emphasizing Jesus' role as the only way to salvation. |
| John 10:10 | The thief comes to steal and kill, but Jesus comes to give life, highlighting the contrast between Jesus and false teachers. |
3. The Good Shepherd Lays Down His Life (John 10:11-18)
| John 10:11 | Jesus is the Good Shepherd, who lays down His life for the sheep, emphasizing Jesus' willingness to sacrifice Himself for His followers. |
| John 10:12 | The hireling flees when he sees the wolf, highlighting the danger of false teaching and the importance of following Jesus. |
| John 10:13 | The hireling does not care for the sheep, emphasizing the contrast between Jesus and false teachers. |
| John 10:14 | Jesus knows His own sheep, and they know Him, highlighting Jesus' personal care and concern for each of His followers. |
| John 10:15 | Jesus lays down His life for the sheep, emphasizing Jesus' willingness to sacrifice Himself for His followers. |
| John 10:16 | Jesus has other sheep that are not of this fold, highlighting the universal scope of Jesus' mission and the importance of evangelism. |
| John 10:17 | The Father loves Jesus because He lays down His life, emphasizing Jesus' obedience to the Father's will. |
| John 10:18 | Jesus has authority to lay down His life and to take it up again, highlighting Jesus' divinity and power. |
4. The Division Among the Jews (John 10:19-21)
| John 10:19 | The Jews are divided over Jesus' claims, with some believing in Him and others rejecting Him. |
| John 10:20 | Many say that Jesus has a demon, highlighting the spiritual blindness of those who reject Him. |
| John 10:21 | Others say that Jesus is not demon-possessed, but rather that He is a prophet, highlighting the confusion and uncertainty of those who are not committed to following Jesus. |
5. Jesus' Unity with the Father (John 10:22-42)
| John 10:22 | The Feast of Dedication is celebrated in Jerusalem, highlighting the Jewish context of Jesus' ministry. |
| John 10:23 | Jesus walks in the temple, emphasizing His authority and legitimacy as the Messiah. |
| John 10:24 | The Jews ask Jesus to tell them plainly if He is the Christ, highlighting their confusion and uncertainty. |
| John 10:25 | Jesus tells them that He has already told them, but they do not believe, emphasizing the spiritual blindness of those who reject Him. |
| John 10:26 | Jesus says that they do not believe because they are not His sheep, highlighting the importance of faith in Jesus. |
| John 10:27 | Jesus' sheep hear His voice and follow Him, emphasizing the importance of obedience to Jesus' commands. |
| John 10:28 | Jesus gives them eternal life, and they will never perish, highlighting the security and certainty of salvation in Jesus. |
| John 10:29 | The Father is greater than all, and no one can snatch them out of the Father's hand, emphasizing the power and protection of God. |
| John 10:30 | Jesus and the Father are one, highlighting Jesus' divinity and unity with the Father. |
| John 10:31 | The Jews pick up stones to stone Jesus, highlighting the danger and opposition that Jesus faced. |
| John 10:32 | Jesus asks them which good work they are stoning Him for, emphasizing His innocence and righteousness. |
| John 10:33 | The Jews say that they are stoning Him for blasphemy, highlighting their misunderstanding of Jesus' claims. |
| John 10:34 | Jesus quotes Psalm 82:6, highlighting the biblical basis for His claims. |
| John 10:35 | The Scripture cannot be broken, emphasizing the authority and reliability of the Bible. |
| John 10:36 | Jesus says that the Father sanctified and sent Him into the world, highlighting Jesus' divine mission and authority. |
| John 10:37 | Jesus says that if He does not do the works of the Father, they should not believe Him, emphasizing the importance of Jesus' miracles and teachings. |
| John 10:38 | Jesus says that they should believe because of the works, highlighting the importance of faith in Jesus. |
| John 10:39 | The Jews try to arrest Jesus again, but He escapes, highlighting the danger and opposition that Jesus faced. |
| John 10:40 | Jesus goes back across the Jordan, highlighting Jesus' ministry in the region. |
| John 10:41 | Many believe in Jesus there, highlighting the success of Jesus' ministry and the growth of the church. |
| John 10:42 | They say that Jesus is the Christ, highlighting the importance of faith in Jesus and the unity of the church. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to be a sheep in Jesus' flock?
To be a sheep in Jesus' flock means to be a follower of Jesus, trusting in His protection and provision, as seen in John 10:11. It means to be part of the community of believers who are committed to following Jesus and obeying His commands.
How does Jesus' role as the Good Shepherd impact our understanding of God's love and care for us?
Jesus' role as the Good Shepherd emphasizes God's love and care for us, highlighting His willingness to sacrifice Himself for our sake, as seen in John 10:11. It reminds us that God is a loving and caring Father, who is deeply concerned for our well-being and salvation.
What are some ways we can trust in Jesus' protection and provision?
We can trust in Jesus' protection and provision by following Him, obeying His commands, and trusting in His promises, as seen in John 10:27-28. We can also trust in His power and authority, knowing that He is the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep.
Top Cross References
| Reference | Connection | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | John 10:11 → Psalm 23:1 | The image of the Good Shepherd is reminiscent of Psalm 23, which emphasizes God's care and protection for His people. |
| 2 | John 10:9 → John 14:6 | Jesus' statement that He is the Door of the sheep is similar to His statement that He is the way, the truth, and the life, as seen in John 14:6. |
| 3 | John 10:15 → Isaiah 53:5 | Jesus' willingness to lay down His life for His sheep is reminiscent of Isaiah 53:5, which emphasizes the suffering and sacrifice of the Messiah. |
| 4 | John 10:30 → Deuteronomy 6:4 | Jesus' statement that He and the Father are one is reminiscent of Deuteronomy 6:4, which emphasizes the unity and uniqueness of God. |
| 5 | John 10:34 → Psalm 82:6 | Jesus' quote of Psalm 82:6 emphasizes the biblical basis for His claims and highlights the importance of Scripture. |
| 6 | John 10:38 → Matthew 11:2-6 | Jesus' statement that they should believe because of the works is similar to His statement in Matthew 11:2-6, which emphasizes the importance of faith and obedience. |
| 7 | John 10:11 → 1 Peter 2:25 | The image of the Good Shepherd is reminiscent of 1 Peter 2:25, which emphasizes Jesus' role as the Shepherd and Bishop of our souls. |
| 8 | John 10:9 → Revelation 7:17 | Jesus' statement that He is the Door of the sheep is similar to the image of the Lamb in Revelation 7:17, which emphasizes Jesus' role as the source of living water and salvation. |
Sermons on John 10
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Deliverance - Part 1 by Derek Prince | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of listening to him as the first step to becoming a true overcomer. He then advises his audience to sell their possessions an |
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The Lord Giveth by E.V. Hill | In this sermon transcript, Dr. Evie Hill delivers a heartfelt message at his wife's funeral. He reflects on the 32 years they spent together and the love and support she gave him. |
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(John) 01 - the Past by Alan Redpath | The video is a sermon on the Gospel of John, specifically focusing on the prologue and the themes presented in the book. The speaker emphasizes that analyzing this gospel is almost |
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Victory Over One's Worst Enemy by Paris Reidhead | Paris Reidhead emphasizes that our greatest enemy is ourselves, revealing his personal struggles with spirituality and critical attitudes during his missionary work in Africa. He s |
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Accountability to God - Part 2 by Leonard Ravenhill | Leonard Ravenhill emphasizes the critical need for accountability to God, illustrating the transformative power of genuine repentance and the pursuit of purity in the heart. He rec |
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Professer or Possessor by Corrie Ten Boom | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of keeping the message of God simple and accessible. The speaker shares a personal experience of being asked why they didn't a |
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Authority and God's Word - Part 1 by Derek Prince | This sermon emphasizes the authority of Scripture, highlighting that all Scripture is inspired by God through the Holy Spirit. It discusses the importance of accepting the entire B |
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The Aroma of Prayer by Jim Cymbala | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of prayer and its transformative power in people's lives. He shares his personal journey of learning about prayer and witnessi |
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The Lord Will Fight for You by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of trusting in God and having faith in Him. He encourages the congregation to look back on their lives and see the many times |
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Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire by Jim Cymbala | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the story of Jesus overturning tables in the temple. He emphasizes the importance of not only doing God's work, but also doing it in the rig |
Summary of Matthew Henry Commentary on John 10
In John chapter 10, we see the beauty of Christ's character as the Good Shepherd. He is the one who lays down His life for the sheep, demonstrating the depth of His love and care for them. This chapter emphasizes the importance of faith in Christ, who is the only way to salvation. We are called to follow Him and to trust in His protection and provision, as seen in John 10:11. As we reflect on this chapter, we are reminded of the love of God for His people and the importance of obedience to Jesus' commands. May we be encouraged to deepen our relationship with Him and to trust in His love and care for us. Read the full unabridged Matthew Henry Commentary →
What Do You Notice?
Jesus' use of shepherd imagery
Jesus' use of shepherd imagery emphasizes His care and protection for His followers. It highlights the depth of His love and concern for those who belong to Him.
The contrast between Jesus and thieves
The contrast between Jesus and thieves emphasizes the difference between true spiritual leadership and false. It highlights the importance of following Jesus, who is the Good Shepherd.
The division among the Jews
The division among the Jews highlights the controversy surrounding Jesus' claims. It emphasizes the importance of faith in Jesus, who is the only way to salvation.