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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comRobertson Word Pictures - John 10:3 - 10:3
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
To him (toutōi). “To this one,” the shepherd, in dative case.
The porter (ho thurōros). Old word for doorkeeper (thura, door, ōra, care, carer for the door). Used for man (Mar 13:34; Joh 10:3) or woman (Joh 18:16.), only N.T. examples. The porter has charge of the sheep in the fold at night and opens the door in the morning for the shepherd. It is not certain that Jesus meant this detail to have a special application. The Holy Spirit, of course, does open the door of our hearts for Jesus through various agencies.
Hear his voice (tēs phōnēs autou akouei). Hear and heed (Joh 10:27). Note genitive case phōnēs (accusative in Joh 3:8).
By name (kat' onoma). Several flocks might be herded in the same fold overnight. But the shepherd knows his own (ta idia) sheep (Joh 10:27) and calls their names. “It is still common for Eastern shepherds to give particular names to their sheep” (Bernard).
And leadeth them out (kai exagei auta). Old and common verb, present active indicative. The sheep follow readily (Joh 10:27) because they know their own shepherd’s voice and his name for each of them and because he has led them out before. They love and trust their shepherd.