The Good Shepherd
“Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever does not enter the sheepfold by the gate, but climbs in some other way, is a thief and a robber. John 10:1 · Berean Standard Bible
Jesus begins a powerful teaching: anyone who doesn't enter the sheepfold through the gate but sneaks in another way is a thief and a robber.
This comes right after the Pharisees threw out the healed blind man. Jesus is drawing a picture of true versus false leadership.
Jesus is speaking directly to the Pharisees who just expelled the man born blind.
Jesus isn't done with the Pharisees yet. He launches into a parable that will expose exactly what kind of leaders they really are.
Jesus introduces the shepherd-and-sheepfold discourse with the solemn double 'amēn amēn' formula, contrasting legitimate entry through the gate with illegitimate entry by thieves and robbers.
This discourse flows directly from the confrontation in chapter 9. The 'thieves and robbers' (kleptēs kai lēstēs) allude to the corrupt religious leaders who just expelled the healed man.
Jesus addresses the Pharisees present at the end of the chapter 9 encounter.
Jesus begins an extended metaphor that redefines spiritual leadership, implicitly condemning the Pharisees who abused their authority by expelling the healed blind man.
1“Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever does not enter the sheepfold by the gate, but climbs in some other way, is a thief and a robber.
2But the one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.
3The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen for his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
Read all of John 10 — Jesus describes a shepherd who knows every sheep by name and lays down his life for them. The hired hand runs; the good shepherd stays.
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