John 10

John 10:1-18

In this chapter, we have, 1. Chrift’s paradoxical discovery concerning himself, as the door of the sheep, and the shepherd of the sheep, vers. 1-18. 2. The various sentiments of people upon it, vers. 19-21. 3. The dispute Chrift had with the Jews in the temple at the foot of dedication, vers. 22-29. 4. His departure into the country thereupon, vers. 40-42.

1. VERILY I say unto you, ‘He that entreth 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 entreth 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 Jefus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them. 7. Then said Jefus 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, teeth the wolf coming, and leaves 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.

As the Pharisees and priests arrogated to themselves the dominion over the church, and boasted of their authority, wisdom, and fanility, as the only true pasture; weducing Jefus as an impostor, because he acted without their ordination. Chrift here, as a parable, warns the people against these faithful pastures.

1. He proposes a parable to them, borrowed from a shepherd and his flock. Verily, verily I say unto you, with deepest solemnity, and most infallible certainty, He that entreth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber; such a clandestine entry shews the ill design of which he comes. The sheepfold is the church of God, where the faithful are united together in love, and share in the provision of gospel-ordinances provided for them; the door is Chrift himself, by whom the faithful enter, and who by his spirit calls and qualifies his ministers for their work. The thieves are those who intrude into the ministry without a divine call, influenced by the hopes of the honours and profits of the service, inflicted of being inwardly meant by the Holy Ghost, and animated by love to Jefus, and zeal for immortal souls. But he that entreth in by the door, is the shepherd of the sheep, whom Jefus calls and qualifies for his office; and who, with fidelity and diligence amends, finds, and watches over these gracious souls, whom the Saviour commits to his care. To him the porter openeth, and the sheep hear his voice: the spirit of God makes his ministry forceful, and opens the hearts of sinners to receive the gospel he preaches: and he calleth his own sheep by name; the Lord knoweth those that are his, and by his effectual power upon their hearts, calls them to himself by the instrumentality of his under-shepherds, who also are particularly and particularly acquainted with their own peculiar stocks; and landeth them out into green pastures of ordinances, and beside the waters of comfort. And when he putteth