John Chapter 10
John Chapter 10
I. The Illustration (10:1–6)
These first six verses are a picture of the relationship between the shepherd and his sheep. Verse 6 calls this a “parable” but a better word is allegory. Christ is merely reminding the people of what shepherds and sheep act like. Later in the chapter He makes a more direct application.
The Middle Eastern sheepfold was very simple: a stone wall, perhaps ten feet high, surrounded it, and an opening served as the door. The shepherds in the village would drive their sheep into the fold at nightfall and leave the porter to stand guard. In the morning each shepherd would call his own sheep, which would recognize their shepherd’s voice and come out of the fold. The porter (or one of the shepherds) would sleep at the opening of the fold and actually become “the door.” Nothing could enter or leave the fold without passing over the shepherd.
Christ points out that the true shepherd comes through the door (v. 1), calls his sheep by name, which recognize him (v. 3), and leads the sheep, which follow (vv. 4–5). False shepherds and strangers, who are thieves and robbers, try to get into the fold some subtle way, but the sheep will not recognize or follow them.
II. The Explanation (10:7–21)
A. The door (vv. 7–10).
Jesus Christ is the door, and as such He leads the sheep “in and out.” The blind man in chapter 9 was “cast out” (excommunicated) by the false shepherds because he trusted Jesus, but he was taken into the new fold by Christ. Theologian Arthur Pink points out that there are really three doors spoken of in this chapter, and we must distinguish them if we are to get the full meaning of this explanation:
(1) “The door into the sheepfold” (v. 1). The sheepfold here is not heaven but the nation of Israel (see Ps. 100). Christ came to Israel through the way appointed in Scripture; the porter (John the Baptist) opened the door for Him.
(2) “The door of the sheep” (v. 7). This is the door that leads people out of their present fold; in this case, Judaism. Christ opened the way for multitudes to leave the old religious system and find new life.
(3) The door of salvation (v. 9). The sheep using this door go in and out, which speaks of liberty; they have eternal life; they enjoy the pastures of God’s Word. Satan, through his false teachers (thieves and robbers), wants to steal, kill, and destroy the sheep; but Christ gives abundant life and cares for the sheep.
B. The shepherd (vv. 11–15).
There is a contrast here between the Pharisees (hirelings) who had no concern for the sheep, and Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd. The hirelings flee and protect themselves when the enemies come; but Christ willingly gives up His life for the sheep. (See Acts 20:29.) Christ as the Good Shepherd gives His life on the cross (Ps. 22); as the Great Shepherd, He cares for the sheep (Heb. 13:20 and Ps. 23); and as the Chief Shepherd He will come again in glory for His sheep (Ps. 24 and 1 Peter 5:4). In v. 18 He speaks of both His death and His resurrection.
C. The flock (vv. 16–21).
The “other sheep” are the Gentiles, who were not in the Jewish fold. Jesus must bring them, and He will do it through His voice, His Word. This we see happening in Acts 10 when Peter went to the Gentiles and preached the Word; they believed and were saved. Verse 16 can be read, “and there shall be one flock [the church] and one Shepherd [Christ].” The church is made up of Jews and Gentiles who trust Christ, and there is one body, one flock, one common spiritual life (see Eph. 2:11–22; 3:1–13; 4:1–5).
Christ is the Good Shepherd who dies for the sheep. (In the OT the sheep died for the shepherd!) He calls through His Word, and those who believe step through the Door, out of their religious fold, into the true flock of Christ, the church.
III. The Application (10:22–42)
Two or three months later the Jews were still arguing with Jesus about what He said! Christ pointed out to them that they were not “of His sheep” and therefore could not believe. He here gives a beautiful description of true Christians, His sheep:
(1) They hear His voice, which means they hear His Word and respond to it. The unsaved have little or no interest in the Bible; true sheep live in the Word.
(2) They know Christ and are known (vv. 14, 27), so that they will not follow a false shepherd. Church members who run from one religious system to another or one cult to another are proving they are not true sheep.
(3) They follow Christ, which speaks of obedience. No one has a right to claim to be one of Christ’s sheep if he or she lives in willful, persistent, open disobedience, and refuses to do something about it. Just as there are false shepherds, so there are goats who try to pass for sheep. One day Christ will say to them, “I never knew you” (Matt. 7:23).
(4) They have eternal life and are secure. Verses 28 and 29 declare the wonderful security true believers have in Christ. We have eternal life, not just life “for as long as we don’t sin.” We are in Christ’s care and the Father’s hand, a double assurance of eternal preservation for His sheep. We are the Father’s gift to the Son, and the Father will not take back a gift. Sheep are a beautiful illustration of Christians. Sheep are clean animals, and Christians have been cleansed from their sin. Sheep flock together, and so do true believers. Sheep are harmless, and Christians should be blameless and harmless. Sheep are given to wandering—and so are we! Sheep need a shepherd for protection, guidance, and food; and we need Christ for spiritual protection, daily guidance, and spiritual food. Sheep are useful and productive; so are true Christians. Finally, sheep were used for sacrifices; and Christians are willing to yield themselves for Christ as “living sacrifices” (Rom. 12:1).
The Jews proved their unbelief by trying to kill Christ. He refuted them by quoting Ps. 82:6. If Jehovah called earthly judges “gods,” then surely He could call Himself the Son of God! Careful never to put Himself in unnecessary danger, Christ left the scene; many came to Him and put their faith in Him. By faith, they stepped through the Door, out of the Jewish religious fold, and into the liberty and eternal life Christ alone can give.