Chapter Introduction:
In chapter nine, we see the blind man healed by Jesus. The man then stood before the Pharisees, the supposed shepherds of Israel, and was questioned, badgered and finally cast out of the synagogue because of his association and belief in Jesus (even though he had not yet met Him).
The blind man met Jesus in His blindness and then He could see.
The men who claimed they could see met Jesus but remained blind and did not come to know Him. These blind men were the shepherds of Israel.
Ezekiel prophesied against the shepherds of Israel.
Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks? 3 You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with the wool; you slaughter the fatlings, but you do not feed the flock. 4 The weak you have not strengthened, nor have you healed those who were sick, nor bound up the broken, nor brought back what was driven away, nor sought what was lost; but with force and cruelty you have ruled them. (Ezekiel 32:2-4)
The sheep were scattered because there was no shepherd. They became food for beasts and wandered. Because of this, the Lord prophesied against the shepherds.
“Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require My flock at their hand; I will cause them to cease feeding the sheep, and the shepherds shall feed themselves no more; for I will deliver My flock from their mouths, that they may no longer be food for them.” (Ezekiel 34:10)
In Ezekiel 34: 11-19, the Lord tells how He will be their shepherd. He would gather them, feed them in good pasture, make them lie down, seek the lost, bind up the broken, and strengthen the sick. He would judge iniquity within the flock.
Therefore I will save My flock, and they shall no longer be a prey; and I will judge between sheep and sheep. 23 I will establish one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them—My servant David. He shall feed them and be their shepherd. 24 And I, the Lord, will be their God, and My servant David a prince among them; I, the Lord, have spoken. (Ezekiel 34:22-24)
Ezekiel finishes the chapter detailing all the blessings and abundance the sheep would enjoy under the care of His shepherd.
The Psalmist said:
“We are his people, the sheep of his pasture” (Ps. 100:3).
Isaiah said,
“He tends his flock like a shepherd. He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young” (Isa. 40:11).
Mark wrote that Jesus pitied the crowds because,
“They were like sheep without a shepherd” (Mark 6:34).
Before his crucifixion Jesus referred to Isaiah’s prophecy of the suffering servant, saying,
“You will all fall away, … for it is written: ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered’ ” (Mark 14:27).
The author of Hebrews spoke of Jesus as the “great Shepherd” (Heb. 13:20)
John 10:1-6
This section begins with the repeated “amen, amen” marking it with great importance from Jesus. This chapter should be joined up with the end of chapter nine. Jesus was answering the Pharisees’ question about being blind.
Jesus presented us with the picture of a sheepfold. It had a single entrance (The Way) with someone tending to the gate. This fenced-in area might be used for multiple families to keep their sheep. The gatekeeper would recognize the shepherd and allow entrance. Those who entered another way were illegitimate and considered thieves and robbers.
The gatekeeper opened the gate to the shepherd who led the sheep into the pen. The sheep hear the voice of the shepherd and follow him out. In the morning they were led beside still waters and green pastures (Psalm 23). The shepherd knows his sheep by name. The shepherd led them and they followed. Sheep would not follow a stranger but instead run away.
John called this an illustration or a figure of speech. It was an analogy using common knowledge and practice of sheep and shepherds. The Lord often spoke of shepherds, both good and bad across scripture. These Pharisees should have heard the analogy and taken heed. They did not understand.
Sheepfold
There are varying opinions on the sheepfold. Is this the picture of Judaism? Is it the world in general? Some say it is the Temple. God revealed Himself through the Jews. He gave them the law, told them how to worship, taught them the value of sacrifice, and told them of One who would come. Whether it be the Temple, Judaism, or the world, it was a temporary place for God's people, a place for them to abide in Him until the coming of the Messiah. At that time, the people of God, the sheep would follow their shepherd. Those following another shepherd would hear his voice and follow him.
The sheepfold was a place of safety. It kept the sheep from wandering off and kept the wolves from finding their way in. Sheep are dumb animals, but even as dumb as sheep are they know their shepherd. They say when two flocks of sheep are mixed up (wheat and tares), all a shepherd has to do is call to them and they come to him. Interestingly, verse 3 says that He calls His sheep by name; very specific, very personal.
His sheep know His voice. Likewise, they flee from the voice of a stranger. In this analogy, we might see the election and calling of God. The sheepfold was full of several flocks. And those who belong to Jesus heard his voice. Those who don't belong to Jesus remained in the sheepfold, not recognizing him or understanding Him.
Pharisees
The Pharisees stood in the place as shepherds of Israel. Yet, they were not caring for the sheep. We can look at chapter nine as an example. The blind man was healed by the True Shepherd and reviled and cast out by the false shepherds. These shepherds, the Pharisees, had become thieves and robbers who didn’t take care of the sheep but took care of themselves.
Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture!” says the Lord. 2 Therefore thus says the Lord God of Israel against the shepherds who feed My people: “You have scattered My flock, driven them away, and not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for the evil of your doings,” says the Lord. 3 “But I will gather the remnant of My flock out of all countries where I have driven them, and bring them back to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase. 4 I will set up shepherds over them who will feed them; and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, nor shall they be lacking,” says the Lord. (Jeremiah 23:1-4)
John 10:7-10
Jesus repeats the introductory “Amen, amen!” This time He said that He is the door of the sheep using another “I Am” statement. There was one way into this sheepfold. Jesus said He is the door to the fold. Some commentaries tell of shepherds sleeping across the doorway, acting as the shepherd and the door. Jesus is likely using another analogy simply because He fulfills multiple roles.
Dr. Smith saw a shepherd leading his flock up the hill. He led them into the fold and made them comfortable, and then Dr. Smith said, “Do you leave the sheep in this fold all night?” “Yes.” “But aren’t there wild beasts around?” “Yes.” “Won’t they try to get the sheep?” “Yes.” “Well, you have no door here; how can you keep the wild beasts out?” But the Arab shepherd lay down on his side, and as he settled himself in that entry way, he looked up and smiled and said, “I am the door.” You see, no wild beast could enter without awakening him, and no sheep would go out over his body.
Dr. Piazzi Smith; cited by Ironside, H. A. (1942).
Addresses on the Gospel of John (p. 420). Loizeaux Brothers.
In this analogy, we have a new sheepfold that seems to be the fold of salvation or the kingdom of God. All those who attempted to lead before His arrival had failed and were considered thieves and robbers. The true sheep of the kingdom were not fooled by false shepherds. The true sheep waited with longing for their shepherd. The real shepherd acts on their behalf, laying down His life for the sheep.
The thief, or false shepherds, came to steal, kill and destroy. They would act only on their behalf, seeking their interest and good. Not only would they not care for the sheep, they might destroy the sheep.
To find the way in through Jesus is to receive salvation assurance and be under the care of the True Shepherd. The sheep would go in and out, living an abundant life in His care.
(In Nehemiah 3 there are 10 gates mentioned but there is only one gate that doesn’t mention bars or locks – the sheep gate.)
Then Moses spoke to the Lord, saying: “Let the Lord, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation, who may go out before them and go in before them, who may lead them out and bring them in, that the congregation of the Lord may not be like sheep which have no shepherd.” (Numbers 27:15-17)
Moses' prayer was answered.
John 10:11
Jesus provides us with another “I Am” statement. In saying this, the Pharisees would have heard Jesus claiming to be God. They wouldn't have missed this. The word 'good' here means beautiful, unique, or genuine. Jesus is the beautiful, authentic, and genuine shepherd. The contrast is the worthless shepherds.
“Woe to the worthless shepherd,
Who leaves the flock! (Zechariah 11:17)
Jesus evokes the imagery of David as a young shepherd, risking his life to keep his sheep safe (1 Samuel 17:34-37). The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He would go to the cross for His sheep, taking the punishment they deserve. This shepherd puts Himself between the wrath of God and dumb sheep.
John 10:12-13
Again, the Pharisees provide the contrast. They appear as hirelings. Employees, who shepherd for a living. They worked for pay and weren’t responsible for attacks from wild animals. These hirelings allow the sheep to be harmed and scattered. They prove they are not the Lord’s true agents acting on His behalf.
The unfaithful shepherd will abandon his sheep and run away when the wolf attacks. He doesn’t love them or care for them.
Once again, in verse 14, Jesus declared Himself as the good shepherd. Jesus knows his sheep. In the Old Testament, the covenant relationship was often portrayed as God “knowing” His people. Likewise, He was known by those whom He knows.
Jesus then took the “knowing” to the next level (all the “know” statements are the same Greek word). Jesus knew the Father as the Father knew Him. Unlike the hirelings, Jesus would lay down His life for the sheep. The other sheep refers to Gentiles and the universal scope of salvation.
John 10:14-18
As the Good Shepherd, Jesus says He has other sheep also. Notice the tense, He has other sheep, it is already settled who He has, even before we were born. The “other” are the gentiles. There is to be one flock and one shepherd.
In the end, there will be one flock and one Shepherd.
For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. (1 Peter 2:25)
The Good Shepherd knew the love of the Father because He would lay down His life. Then, He would take His life up again. Jesus was given authority over death by the Father. It was an important point and distinction for the Good Shepherd, His life would not be taken, despite appearance. He would lay it down.
Now this had to be a confusing statement to these Pharisees who were so spiritually blind.
John 10:19-21
The Pharisees were divided. Truth divides men. This division still existed from chapter nine. They just didn’t know what to do with Jesus. His truths brought all people to a place of decision, of dealing with Him. Remember He said:
For judgment I have come into this world, that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may be made blind.” (John 9:39)
This judgment is the response of men to His truth expressed in word and deed.
Some thought He was crazy and some thought He was demon-possessed. Only God could do the works He had done, yet, He wasn’t who they expected. He looked far different than the Messiah they taught and believed.
The reference to the blind man being healed in chapter nine ties these chapters tightly together.
John 10:22-24
The feast of Dedication is also called Hanukah or the Feast of Lights. This is an eight-day celebration of the rededication of the temple after it was defiled.
In 167BC Antiochus Epiphanes, the Seleucid king, attacked Jerusalem, defiled the Temple courts, and turned the Temple champers into brothels. Then he brought the greatest offense against the Jews when he defiled the Temple altar by offering a pig to Zeus. His goal was to eliminate Judaism and force them to adapt to the ways of the Greek culture. Around 80,000 Jews were killed in this attack. Many others were sold into slavery. The gold was stolen from the temple treasury. It was against the law to have a copy of the law or to circumcise a child. Any mother who had circumcised their child was crucified with their child hanging around their neck. These actions sparked the Maccabean rebellion. The Jews retook their temple and land and on the 25th of Chislev (Nov-Dec), the temple was rededicated.
The feast is a time marker dividing this chapter. The first part of the chapter seems to belong to chapter nine, speaking to the Pharisees within the context of healing the blind man. A similar discussion continues, but a little over two months have passed since the Feast of Booths.
Solomon’s porch was a covered portico area within the pillars on the east side of the Temple. These covered porches were popular gathering places to hear lectures and discussions. Jesus walked in the temple, in the area of Solomon’s porch when the Jews cornered Him. This group of people is the general population and not the leadership. They were still in suspense over the nature of Jesus. They wanted to know plainly if He was the Christ.
John 10:25-30
It wasn’t a matter of Jesus not plainly telling them but that they would not, or could not, hear His plain words proclaiming that He was the Son of God. In addition, His works were done in the Father’s name and they bore witness to Him. They could not hear because they weren’t His sheep.
The sheep allusion ties this later discussion to the shepherd discussion of the first part of the chapter. Jesus is the Shepherd of God and His sheep hear His voice. They know Him and follow Him. The good Shepherd knows His sheep.
Jesus gives His sheep eternal life. This is new information to the Jews. Many had claimed to be shepherds with followers. But Jesus alone could promise eternal life to His sheep. The Good Shepherd displays His care for the sheep by informing the Jews that His sheep would never perish. Not only that, but they were His and no one would snatch them away.
Jesus' possession of the sheep is sanctioned by the Father (established election). He is greater than all and only He could elect those created in His image. These people could not be snatched from His hand either. The statements display that Jesus and the Father are one. We see the same will, same election, same salvation assurance, and care for the sheep.
The Jews saw themselves as sheep under the shepherd Yahweh. Jesus inserted Himself into the equation by claiming equality with Yahweh. The claim that “I and My Father are one” echoes the first line of the Shema. “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! (Deuteronomy 6:4). Jesus claimed to be part of the “One” that Israel knew. This is a clear claim to divinity, plainly spoken to them.
John 10:31-33
Stoning was the punishment for blasphemy. However, it was punishment coming after a trial before a larger group that investigated all the facts. There was nothing lawful about a group of offended folks picking up stones to commit murder.
Jesus had done many good works for Yahweh. He gave the Jews something to think about when He asked them which good work caused them to stone Him. They were going to stone Him for blasphemy. They never considered that Jesus might have been truthful.
John 10:34-39
The “law” is used here in a general reference to the Old Testament scriptures. The quote comes from Psalm 82:6.
I said, “You are gods,
And all of you are children of the Most High.
But you shall die like men,
And fall like one of the princes.”(Psalms 82:6)
The Psalm presents the picture of the Lord with His council before Him. Some see this as human kings while others see this as the spiritual rulers of the nations. They were called “Elohim.” They were rulers the Lord ruled over and were referred to as gods.
Jesus asked, if Yahweh called these rulers gods (Elohim), why would they call Him a blasphemer? God’s word came to the council as detailed in scripture. Yahweh sanctified and sent Jesus into the world. He called Himself the Son of God and they called Him a blasphemer.
They shouldn’t believe Jesus and they should reject Him if He doesn’t do works of the Father. However, if He does the works of the Father, they should believe the works. Jewish tradition allowed for obedience, even if for the wrong reason, was better than disobedience. Believing the works of Jesus would move them to believe that the Father was in Him and He in the Father.
This statement angered them again and they were going to grab Him. Jesus escaped, whether through natural or supernatural means, He controlled the timing of His journey to the cross.
John 10:40-42
Jesus left Jerusalem again. He went beyond the Jordan to where John baptized and where Jesus’ ministry began. John prepared the way for Jesus. He performed no signs, but pointed to Jesus and the work He would do. They are acknowledging that John was right.
©2005, 2009, 2013, 2023 Doug Ford
Facebook