1 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.
2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.
4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.
6 This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.
7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.
8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.
9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
12 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.
13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
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.
17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
18 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.
19 There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings.
20 And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him?
21 Others said, These are not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind?
22 And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.
23 And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch.
24 Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly.
25 Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me.
26 But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.
27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.
30 I and my Father are one.
31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.
32 Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?
33 The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.
34 Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?
35 If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;
36 Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?
37 If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.
38 But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.
39 Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand,
40 And went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized; and there he abode.
41 And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man were true.
42 And many believed on him there.
The tenth chapter of the book of John in the King James Version (KJV) of the Holy Bible is a rich text filled with metaphors and teachings of Jesus Christ. This chapter primarily contains two main themes: Jesus as the Good Shepherd and Jesus as the Gate for the Sheep. Both metaphors provide profound insights into the nature of Jesus' relationship with his followers, his mission, and his divine identity. This chapter also presents Jesus' discourse on the security of believers, his claim of unity with God the Father, and the ensuing controversy among the Jews.
The metaphor of Jesus as the Good Shepherd is one of the most enduring images in Christian theology. In verses 1-18, Jesus presents himself as the shepherd who knows his sheep, cares for them, and lays down his life for them. He contrasts the Good Shepherd with a hireling who, unlike the shepherd, does not own the sheep and runs away when he sees a wolf coming, leaving the sheep to be scattered or devoured. This vivid imagery serves to underscore Jesus' commitment to his followers and his willingness to sacrifice himself for their sake. The Good Shepherd knows his sheep by name, leads them out, and goes before them. The sheep follow him because they recognize his voice, whereas they will flee from a stranger.
In verse 11, Jesus states, "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep." This statement is both a revelation of his divine identity and a prophecy of his crucifixion. It also illustrates the depth of his love and commitment to humanity. He willingly chooses to lay down his life for the salvation of his sheep, demonstrating the ultimate act of self-sacrifice. He further elaborates in verses 14-15 that he knows his sheep and his sheep know him, just as he knows the Father and the Father knows him.
The second metaphor, Jesus as the Gate for the Sheep, is introduced in verses 7-10. Jesus proclaims, "I am the door of the sheep." This statement implies that Jesus is the only way to salvation. Those who enter through him will be saved, and they will have abundant life. Jesus contrasts himself with thieves and robbers who climb into the sheepfold by another way. These figures represent false messiahs and deceptive religious leaders who lead people astray with false teachings. Jesus, as the gate, protects his followers from such harm and guides them to truth and life.
The gate metaphor also emphasizes the exclusivity of salvation through Christ. As he declares in verse 9, "I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture." This implies that access to God and eternal life is only possible through faith in Jesus Christ, reinforcing the Christian doctrine of 'sola fide' or 'faith alone'.
In verses 27-30, Jesus presents the security of believers and his unity with the Father. He assures his followers that his sheep listen to his voice, he knows them, and they follow him. He gives them eternal life, and they shall never perish. Furthermore, no one can snatch them out of his hand. This assurance provides comfort and security to believers, emphasizing the eternal nature of salvation and the protection believers have in Christ.
In verse 30, Jesus declares, "I and my Father are one." This statement is a bold declaration of his unity with God the Father. It asserts his divine nature and his co-existence with God. This claim stirs controversy among the Jews, leading to accusations of blasphemy and attempts to stone him.
The chapter ends with a confrontation between Jesus and the Jews. The Jews accuse Jesus of blasphemy for claiming to be God. Jesus responds by referring to Psalm 82:6, arguing that if the scripture can refer to those to whom the word of God came as 'gods,' how much more can he, whom the Father has sanctified and sent into the world, claim to be the Son of God. Despite Jesus' explanation and his works testifying about him, the Jews remain unconvinced and seek to arrest him. However, Jesus escapes from their hands and retreats across the Jordan, where many people come to believe in him.
In conclusion, John chapter 10 is a profound exploration of Jesus' identity and mission. The metaphors of the Good Shepherd and the Gate for the Sheep present a powerful image of Jesus' care, commitment, and self-sacrifice for his followers, as well as his unique role as the path to salvation. The chapter also emphasizes the security of believers in Christ and Jesus' unity with God the Father. Despite the controversy and opposition he faces, Jesus remains steadfast in his mission, leading many to believe in him.
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