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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadSpurgeon Verse Expositions - John 10:1 - 10:18
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
Joh_10:1-2. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
The true Shepherd cares for the flock, the false ones are thieves and robbers who only care for the flesh or the fleece.
Joh_10:3. To him the porter openeth and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.
John the Baptist was the porter who opened the door of Christ’s earthly ministry by bearing witness that he was the Son of God.
Joh_10:4-5. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.
Christ is the great Leader of his people, and they will never go astray so long as they follow him. The sheep of Christ recognize their Shepherd’s voice, and come at his call; but “strangers” call to them in vain.
Joh_10:6-7. This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them. Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.
No one metaphor can fully describe our glorious Lord, for he is both Shepherd and Door to the sheep, and all else that they need.
“
Shepherd, Brother, Husband, Friend, —
Every precious name in one,
I will love thee without end.”
The thief came to take away life, but Christ came to give life, and that abundant life which shall last for ever and ever; but see what it cost him to give that life: —
Joh_10:11-13. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
Just now the contrast was between the Shepherd and the thief. Here it is between the Shepherd and the hireling. The hireling cares for himself; the Shepherd cares for the sheep and provides for them and cares for them even at the cost of his life.
Joh_10:14-15. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
There is mutual knowledge between the Shepherd and the sheep, and between the Father and the Son.
Joh_10:16. 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.
Or, more correctly, “one flock, one Shepherd.” The flock would never be complete without those “other sheep” which the Shepherd says he must bring into the fold, and which he says shall hear his voice. Not one of them will be missing in the day when they pass again under the hand of him that telleth them.
Joh_10:17-18. Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. 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.
The voluntariness of Christ’s sacrifice is its glory, and well may his Father love him because of it; and well may we, who are eternally to benefit by his death, also love him.