The Shepherd of All

The True Shepherd and his sheep

John 10:1–39 CSB

1 “Truly I tell you, anyone who doesn’t enter the sheep pen by the gate but climbs in some other way is a thief and a robber. 2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought all his own outside, he goes ahead of them. The sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 They will never follow a stranger; instead they will run away from him, because they don’t know the voice of strangers.” 6 Jesus gave them this figure of speech, but they did not understand what he was telling them. 7 Jesus said again, “Truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep didn’t listen to them. 9 I am the gate. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will come in and go out and find pasture. 10 A thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance. 11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand, since he is not the shepherd and doesn’t own the sheep, leaves them and runs away when he sees a wolf coming. The wolf then snatches and scatters them. 13 This happens because he is a hired hand and doesn’t care about the sheep. 14 “I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 But I have other sheep that are not from this sheep pen; I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. Then there will be one flock, one shepherd. 17 This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life so that I may take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have the right to lay it down, and I have the right to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.” 19 Again the Jews were divided because of these words. 20 Many of them were saying, “He has a demon and he’s crazy. Why do you listen to him?” 21 Others were saying, “These aren’t the words of someone who is demon-possessed. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?” 22 Then the Festival of Dedication took place in Jerusalem, and it was winter. 23 Jesus was walking in the temple in Solomon’s Colonnade. 24 The Jews surrounded him and asked, “How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.” 25 “I did tell you and you don’t believe,” Jesus answered them. “The works that I do in my Father’s name testify about me. 26 But you don’t believe because you are not of my sheep. 27 My sheep hear my voice, I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all. No one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.” 31 Again the Jews picked up rocks to stone him. 32 Jesus replied, “I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these works are you stoning me?” 33 “We aren’t stoning you for a good work,” the Jews answered, “but for blasphemy, because you—being a man—make yourself God.” 34 Jesus answered them, “Isn’t it written in your law, I said, you are gods? 35 If he called those to whom the word of God came ‘gods’—and the Scripture cannot be broken—36 do you say, ‘You are blaspheming’ to the one the Father set apart and sent into the world, because I said: I am the Son of God? 37 If I am not doing my Father’s works, don’t believe me. 38 But if I am doing them and you don’t believe me, believe the works. This way you will know and understand that the Father is in me and I in the Father.” 39 Then they were trying again to seize him, but he escaped their grasp.

I. WHO IS JESUS TALKING TO?

Understanding the audience is key to understanding the message.

Primary Audience:

Jesus is speaking mainly to:

The Pharisees (religious leaders)

The same group from John 9, right after Jesus healed the man born blind.

In John 9, the Pharisees:

Rejected the healed man’s testimony,

Threw him out of the synagogue,

Claimed spiritual authority but demonstrated spiritual blindness.

When Jesus begins John 10 with “Truly I tell you…” He is still addressing these leaders — exposing their failures as spiritual shepherds.

Secondary Audience:

Also listening:

The disciples

The common people gathered near the temple courts in Jerusalem

Later, at the Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah), more Jews gather and confront Jesus about who He is (v. 22–24).

Why This Matters:

Jesus is not just telling a story about sheep — He is publicly confronting corrupt religious leadership and declaring Himself the true Shepherd Israel has been longing for since the Old Testament.

Setting the Scene

Old Testament backdrop behind John 10:

Ezekiel 34 – God condemns false shepherds and promises to shepherd His people Himself.

Psalm 23 – The Lord as Shepherd.

Isaiah 40:11 – The caring Shepherd who gathers lambs in His arms.

Micah 5:4 – The coming Messiah will stand and shepherd His flock.

When Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd,” He is claiming to be God’s promised Shepherd Messiah.

Main Teaching Points

POINT 1:

Jesus Is the ONLY Legitimate Door to God

(John 10:1–10)

Explanation:

Jesus contrasts Himself with false shepherds.

The Sheepfold:

A pen with one narrow entrance at night.

A shepherd slept in the doorway to protect the sheep.

Key Statement:

“I am the gate. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved…” (v. 9)

Meaning:

The Pharisees claimed religious authority.

Jesus exposes them as thieves and robbers.

Access to God does NOT come through:

Religion,

Tradition,

Moral effort,

Good works.

It comes only through Christ.

Application:

Many today still try to enter God’s presence through:

Church membership,

Good behavior,

Religious background.

But Jesus says: There is one door — and His name is Jesus.

POINT 2:

Jesus Is the Good Shepherd Who Lays Down His Life

(John 10:11–18)

Difference Between Shepherd and Hireling:

ShepherdHirelingOwns the sheepWorks for payProtects sheepRuns awayRisks his lifeSaves himselfKnows the sheepDoesn’t care personally

Jesus says:

“The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (v. 11)

Jesus repeats this phrase five times in this passage.

Meaning:

Jesus is not a powerless victim.

He is a willing sacrifice.

The cross was intentional.

Love drove Him to Calvary.

“No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own.” (v. 18)

Application:

Jesus doesn’t just guide you — He gave His life for you intentionally.

Ask:

Do you trust Him with your life?

Or only with your emergencies?

POINT 3:

True Sheep Know and Follow the Shepherd’s Voice

(John 10:22–30)

The question asked:

“If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.” (v. 24)

Jesus responds:

“I did tell you, and you don’t believe... My sheep hear my voice.” (v. 25–27)

Meaning:

The issue is not clarity — it’s belief.

Unbelievers:

Want proof without commitment.

Information without surrender.

Signs without repentance.

Believers:

Recognize His voice.

Trust His leadership.

Obey His word.

Key Promise:

“I give them eternal life, and they will never perish.” (v. 28)

Security of the believer:

Held by Christ.

Secured by the Father.

Guarded by divine power.

You are not saved because you hold Jesus… You are saved because Jesus holds you.

IV. JESUS’ SHOCKING CLAIM (v. 30)

“I and the Father are one.”

The Jews understood Him correctly — they attempted to stone Him.

Why? Because Jesus was claiming:

Equality with God,

Messiahship,

Divine authority.

Jesus is not just:

A teacher

A prophet

A moral leader

He is God in human flesh.

V. FINAL APPLICATION QUESTIONS

Which voice are you following?

Are you trusting the Shepherd or acting like the shepherd?

Have you entered through the Door — or are you still standing outside?

Are you listening to Jesus or just religious noise?

Do you know Him — or just know about Him?

VI. CLOSING STATEMENT

You are not defined by your past. You are not held by your circumstances. You are not kept by your performance.

You are:

Known by the Shepherd,

Purchased by blood,

Protected by God,

Promised eternal life.

And no one can snatch you from His hand.