John 10

King James Version

Full text for John Chapter 10

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.›

6This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.

7Then 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.

20And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him?

21Others 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.

23And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch.

24Then 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.

25Jesus 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.›

31Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.

32Jesus answered them, ‹Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?›

33The 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.

34Jesus 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,

40And went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized; and there he abode.

41And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man were true.

42And many believed on him there.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Jesus presents himself as both the door of the sheepfold and the good shepherd, contrasting his life-giving purpose with the destructive intent of thieves and hirelings. He declares his mission to give abundant and eternal life to his sheep, for whom he willingly lays down his life. These profound claims, particularly his assertion of oneness with the Father, provoke a strong division among the Jews, leading to accusations of blasphemy.

Medium Summary

Jesus begins by teaching a parable, distinguishing the true shepherd who enters the sheepfold by the door from thieves who climb in another way. He then clarifies, stating, "I am the door of the sheep," through whom salvation and pasture are found. Further, he proclaims, "I am the good shepherd," who lays down his life for his sheep, unlike a hireling who abandons them to danger. Jesus emphasizes his intimate knowledge of his sheep and their eternal security in his and the Father's hand, also speaking of gathering "other sheep" not of this fold. During the Feast of Dedication, the Jews confront him, demanding to know if he is the Christ. Jesus points to his works as witness and declares, "I and my Father are one," which prompts the Jews to attempt stoning him for blasphemy, though he ultimately escapes.

Long Summary

Jesus initiates his discourse with a parable, distinguishing between a thief who enters the sheepfold by climbing over and the true shepherd who enters by the door, whose voice the sheep know and follow. When his audience fails to understand, Jesus explicitly declares, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep," through whom salvation and abundant life are found. He then identifies himself as "the good shepherd," contrasting his self-sacrificial love—laying down his life for the sheep—with the mercenary nature of a hireling who abandons the flock when danger approaches. Jesus emphasizes his deep, mutual knowledge with his sheep, mirroring his relationship with the Father, and reveals his intention to gather "other sheep" not of the current fold, unifying them under one shepherd. He further asserts his unique power to voluntarily lay down his life and take it again, a commandment received from his Father. These profound claims cause a significant division among the Jews, with some accusing him of madness and demon possession, while others acknowledge his miraculous works. Later, at the Feast of Dedication, the Jews press Jesus to declare plainly if he is the Christ. Jesus points to his works as evidence and reiterates that his sheep hear his voice, follow him, and receive eternal life, secure in his and the Father's hand. He then makes the definitive statement, "I and my Father are one," which the Jews interpret as blasphemy, attempting to stone him for making himself God. Jesus defends himself by referencing their law, where men were called "gods," and challenges them to believe his works if not his words, that they might know the Father is in him and he in the Father. Despite his defense, they again seek to apprehend him, but he escapes and departs to the place where John first baptized, where many believed on him.

Core Concepts

  • The DoorJesus identifies himself as the exclusive entrance to salvation and abundant life for the sheep, distinguishing himself from those who would enter by illegitimate means.
  • The Good ShepherdJesus portrays himself as the caring, self-sacrificial leader of his flock, willing to lay down his life for their safety and well-being, unlike a hireling who flees from danger.
  • Eternal Life and SecurityJesus promises his sheep eternal life, assuring them that they will never perish and no one can pluck them out of his or the Father's hand, emphasizing their ultimate security.
  • Oneness with the FatherJesus explicitly declares, "I and my Father are one," asserting a unique and profound unity with God, which the Jews perceive as blasphemy.
  • Other SheepJesus reveals his intention to gather a wider flock beyond the immediate Jewish fold, indicating a future expansion of his followers under one unified shepherd.
  • Works as WitnessJesus repeatedly points to the miraculous works he performs in his Father's name as undeniable evidence and testimony of his divine identity and claims, urging belief based on these actions.
  • Blasphemy AccusationThe Jews repeatedly accuse Jesus of blasphemy because he, being a man, makes himself God by claiming divine attributes and unity with the Father.