Thematic Bible
John 10:1 (show verse)
"Truly, truly, I tell you, the person who does not enter the sheep corral through the gate, but climbs over another way [i.e., over the fence], is a thief and a robber. [Note: "Thief" suggests quiet subtlety, while "robber" suggests open aggression].
John 10:2 (show verse)
But the One [i.e., Jesus is referring to Himself] who enters [it] through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep [Note: "Sheep" in this section refers to Jesus' followers].
John 10:3 (show verse)
The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep respond to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out [of the corral].
John 10:4 (show verse)
After he has let his own [sheep] out, he walks on ahead of them, and they follow him because they recognize his voice.
John 10:5 (show verse)
They will not follow a stranger, but will run from him, for they do not recognize the voice of strangers."
John 10:6 (show verse)
Jesus told them this parable [i.e., a brief story to illustrate his teaching] but they did not understand what it meant.
John 10:7 (show verse)
So, Jesus said to them again, "Truly, truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep [i.e., to enter the corral].
John 10:8 (show verse)
All those who came before me were thieves and robbers and the sheep did not listen to them.
John 10:9 (show verse)
I am the gate; if anyone enters [the corral] through me, he will be saved [i.e., from condemnation], and will find pasture [i.e., will receive spiritual nurturing].
John 10:10 (show verse)
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came so that people could have life to its fullest.
John 10:11 (show verse)
"I am the good shepherd; and a good shepherd [is willing] to die for the sheep.
John 10:12 (show verse)
The person who is [only] a hired hand, and not the shepherd, [and] who does not own the sheep [himself], sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away. So, the wolf attacks the flock and scatters [the sheep].
John 10:13 (show verse)
[The reason] he runs away is because he is a hired hand and does not [really] care about the sheep.
John 10:14 (show verse)
I am the good shepherd and I know my sheep [intimately], and they know me [that way],
John 10:15 (show verse)
just like the Father knows me [intimately] and I know the Father [that way]. And I [am about to] give up my life for the sheep.
John 10:16 (show verse)
I have other sheep [also] which are not [presently] in this corral; I must lead them, too. They will hear my voice and become one flock [i.e., with the others], having one shepherd. [Note: This probably refers to believing Gentiles becoming God's people, along with the Jews].
John 10:17 (show verse)
The Father loves me because I [am about to] give up my life, so that I can take it back again.
John 10:18 (show verse)
No one is taking it away from me, but I am giving it up voluntarily. I have the right to give it up and I have the right to take it back again. I received the commandment to do this from my Father."
John 10:19 (show verse)
The Jews who heard these words became divided again [i.e., over their meaning].
John 10:20 (show verse)
Many of them said, "This man is dominated by an evil spirit; he is crazy, why listen to him?"
John 10:21 (show verse)
Others said, "These are not the words of someone dominated by an evil spirit. Can an evil spirit restore sight to a blind person?"
John 10:22 (show verse)
During the winter, when the Festival of Dedication was being held in Jerusalem [Note: This was the Jewish festival commemorating the rededication of the Temple in BC after its pagan desecration by Greeks. It is still observed today by Jews as "Hanukkah."],
John 10:23 (show verse)
Jesus was walking in the Temple [area] in "Solomon's Portico" [Note: This was a large covered area, with rows of columns, on the outside of the Temple enclosure].
John 10:24 (show verse)
Some Jewish [authorities] gathered around Him and asked, "How long will you hold us in suspense? If you [really] are the Christ, tell us plainly."
John 10:25 (show verse)
Jesus answered them, "I did tell you, but you would not believe me. The [miraculous] deeds that I am doing in my Father's name [i.e., by the Father's authority] testify about me.
John 10:26 (show verse)
But you do not believe me, because you are not [part] of my sheep.
John 10:27 (show verse)
My sheep listen to my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
John 10:28 (show verse)
I give them never ending life and they will never be destroyed, and no one will [be able to] steal them out of my hand.
John 10:29 (show verse)
What my Father has given me [i.e., my sheep] are greater than everything [else], and no one is able to steal them from the Father's hand.
John 10:30 (show verse)
I and the Father are one."
John 10:31 (show verse)
Then the Jews again picked up stones [intending] to stone Him.
John 10:32 (show verse)
Jesus said to them, "I have shown you many good deeds [i.e., miracles], performed through the Father. Which one of them are you stoning me for?"
John 10:33 (show verse)
The Jews answered Him, "We are not stoning you for a good deed, but for your abusive speech [i.e., about God], and because you are claiming to be God, even though you are [only] a man."
John 10:34 (show verse)
Jesus replied to them, "Is it not written in your law [Psa. 82:6], 'I said, you people are gods'?
John 10:35 (show verse)
If God called those people, to whom His message came, "gods" (and Scripture cannot be set aside),
John 10:36 (show verse)
how can you people say to Him, whom the Father set apart and sent into the world, 'You are speaking abusively [i.e., about God],' because I said, 'I am the Son of God'? He is the One whom the Father set apart [i.e., for His service] and sent into the world.
John 10:37 (show verse)
If I am not doing my Father's deeds [i.e., miracles], do not believe me.
John 10:38 (show verse)
But if I am doing them, even though you do not believe me, believe the deeds. Then you will know and continue to know that the Father is in me, and that I am in the Father."
John 10:39 (show verse)
[Then] the Jews again tried to arrest Him, but He escaped from their hands.
John 10:40 (show verse)
Then Jesus again went across [to the east side of] the Jordan River, to the place where John had first immersed people, and stayed there.
John 10:41 (show verse)
Many people came to Him and were saying, "It is true that John did not perform any [miraculous] signs, but everything he said about this man was true."
John 10:42 (show verse)
So, many people there believed in Jesus.