Read the Passage: John 10

Listen to the Redeemed Mind Podcast: John 10

Identity of Jesus (10:1–18)

Having just taught that Israel’s leaders were false, blind teachers (cf. John 9:39–41), in John 10 Jesus revealed Himself as the true, good shepherd of His people. Of course, Christ’s hearers would have been familiar with the role of a shepherd, and the idea of a shepherd was often used in the Old Testament to refer to God (Ps. 23:1; 78:52; 80:1; Isa. 40:11; Jer. 3:15; Ezek. 34:11–12). In John 10:1 Jesus subtly refers to the Pharisees as thieves and robbers who desire to steal God’s sheep. This is likely an allusion to the false shepherds whom God confronted at Ezek. 34:1–10. In the present passage Jesus uses the picture of a communal sheep pen. In such a gathering, a shepherd would call “his own sheep by name” (John 10:3), and they would gather around him, “for they know his voice” (John 10:4). Those who did not recognize Jesus’ voice, like the Pharisees, were not His sheep.

Whereas Jesus had presented Himself as a shepherd at John 10:2, here at John 10:7, Christ revealed, “I am the door of the sheep.” The idea is that not only does Jesus lead His people to eternal life, but also He Himself is the way to eternal life. Later, Christ would declare, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). The picture in this passage is of a shepherd resting or sleeping in the doorway of the sheep pen, in order to protect his flock. The sheep who follow Jesus “will be saved . . . and find pasture” (John 10:9). Here Christ again impugns the religious leaders as He refers to them as “thieves an robbers . . . [who come] to steal, and to kill, and to destroy” (John 10:8, 10a). In contrast to the empty selfish agenda of the false teachers, Christ taught, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10b).

At John 10:11 Jesus referred to Himself as “the good shepherd.” Christ is a good or a noble shepherd, for He voluntarily lays down His life for the sheep. This act is in contrast to hirelings, who will not risk their lives for the sheep, but will flee when the sheep are attacked. Christ teaches that such hirelings are not the shepherd, nor do they care for the sheep; rather, they pursue their own interests. This, of course, is a picture of the corrupt religious leaders. By way of comforting His followers, and perhaps to encourage them in ministry, Jesus declared, “I know My sheep, and am known by My own” (John 10:14). Note that John 10:16 is an important verse, for here Christ refers to the presence of “other sheep. . . . which are not of this fold.” This is a reference to the salvation of the Gentiles, and it affirms the idea that there is just one church, made up of both Jews and Gentiles.

Confusion in the Crowd (10:19–30)

On account of Jesus’ teachings about being the good shepherd, as well as His earlier teachings and actions, “There was a division again among the Jews” (John 10:19). It is recorded in John 10:20–21 that some of the people believed Christ to be possessed by a demon, while others were attracted to His healings. Such diverse reactions to Jesus are an example of Christ’s teaching that His sheep hear His voice. Next, as Jesus was teaching in the Temple, the Jews tried to get Christ to plainly declare that He was the Messiah. Yet, this request did not arise out of spiritual interest, but out of a sinful desire to kill Jesus (cf. John 10:31–39). Christ’s response was, “You do not believe, because you are not My sheep” (John 10:26). Observe that John 10:27–29 is one of the most comforting passages in the Bible about assurance of salvation.

Persecution by the Jews (10:31–42)

John 10:30–39 is one of the clearest passages in the Gospels where Jesus claimed to be God. Within these verses Christ plainly said, “I and My Father are one” (John 10:30), and, “I am the Son of God” (John 10:36). Indeed, within this passage the Jews attempted to kill Jesus, as they said, “You, being a Man, make Yourself God” (John 10:33). Jesus’ response in John 10:34–36 is curious. In this passage, Christ quoted Ps. 82:6, which reads, “I said, ‘You are gods.’” Jesus’ point here seems to be that if God refers to men as gods in the Old Testament, then it shouldn’t be a problem for Christ to call Himself a god. At least, it should not be troubling enough for the Jews to attempt to kill Him. Of course, the irony here is that Jesus was not just a god, but God Himself. The leaders’ violent reaction to Jesus’ teaching resulted in His escape, as He fled to the wilderness to minister to others.

Application Questions:

1. Does the illustration of a shepherd help you to better understand God’s love for you (cf. Ps. 23; Heb. 13:20;1 Pet. 2:25; 5:4)?
2. What does it mean to have abundant life in Christ? Why do Jesus’ sheep not hear the robbers and the thieves?
3. How can you tell if someone in ministry is a shepherd or a hireling? Is it wrong to be compensated for ministry?
4. Why do some believers struggle with assurance of salvation? How can you best minister to one who lacks assurance?
5. As a believer, have you ever been mistreated on account of your faith? How shall Christians react to persecution?