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John Chapter
Ten
I.
Content of the Chapter
The Son of God the Savior is the Shepherd
of the Sheep
A. He is the True Shepherd:
1. The
true shepherd enters by the door (v.1-2).
2. The
true shepherd knows the sheep (v.3-6).
B. He is the Good Shepherd:
1. The good shepherd
is the door
through which the sheep may obtain life (v.7-10).
2. The good shepherd
gives His life for the sheep (v.11-15
17-18).
C. He is the Great Shepherd:
1. He has other
sheep which are not of this fold. Both of them will be one flock and one
shepherd (v.16).
2. All those who do
not believe in Him are not the sheep of the great shepherd (v.19-26).
3. The great
shepherd protects the sheep with the Father together (v.27-30).
4. Those who believe
Him are the sheep of the great shepherd
but those who do not believe Him will
persecute Him (v.31-42).
II.
Verse by Verse commentary
John. 10:1 “Most
assuredly
I say to you
he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door
but climbs up some other way
the same is a thief and a robber.”
YLT: “Verily
verily
I say to you
He who is not
entering through the door to the fold of the sheep
but is going up from
another side
that one is a thief and a robber;”
The Background:
the “sheepfold” in the
Sometimes
the thieves climbed
up the wall and stole the sheep when the doorkeeper was sleep in the night. Having
not known their voice
the sheep would be therefore frightened and escape away.
Literal Meaning: “most assuredly
I say to you”
in the background of chapter nine ----
the Lord opened the blind man’s eyes ---- the Lord continued His speaking in
this chapter
so the word “you” here referred to the Pharisees (see 9:40).
“The same is a thief and a robber”
“thief”
who steals secretly
employs trickery;
“Robber”
who robs openly and wantonly
uses violence.
Spiritual Meaning: “sheepfold”
represents the law
in the Old Testament and the Judaism
namely
the religion of the law. God
granted the law to the
Meanwhile
the sheepfold was nothing but
a place for keeping the sheep temporarily. The true eternal dwelling place for
the sheep is the “pasture” ---- which typifies the Christ. When the Christ had
not come
God prepared the law as the sheepfold to guard and keep His people temporarily
(see Gal 3:24-26).
However
when Christ came
the
Christ
is also the “door” of the sheepfold (see v.7
9). Christ is end of the law (see
Rom 10:4). Statutes and customs in the Old Testament are a shadow of things to
come
but the body of Christ (see
Enlightenment in the Word: there is only one way to the truth
but
there arise many unorthodox ways.
John. 10:2 “But he who enters by the
door is the shepherd of the sheep.”
YLT: “and
he who is entering through the door is shepherd of the sheep;”
Spiritual
Meaning: the “door” refers
to the door of the sheepfold
i.e. the Christ (see v.7
9).
The “sheep” refers to the people of God ---- in the times of the Old
Testament
only the people of Israel were the sheep of God (see Ps 95:7)
but
in the times of the New Testament there were plus the Gentile believers (see
v.16; 1Pet 2:25).
“The shepherd” refers to the
true servant of God
especially refers to the Christ here.
Enlightenment
in the Word: if one does not
believe the Lord
he will be unworthy of teaching the people of God. They are
not only unable to help others
but rather harmful to others.
John. 10:3 “To him the doorkeeper
opens
and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and
leads them out.”
YLT: “to
this one the doorkeeper doth open
and the sheep hear his voice
and his own
sheep he doth call by name
and doth lead them forth;”
The
Background: the shepherd
usually gave names to every sheep according to its feature and character
and
every sheep knew its name.
Literal
Meaning: “doorkeeper”
referred to the one who was entrusted with the work of guarding a big
sheepfold.
“And the sheep hear his voice.”
---- The sheep knew the voice of their master and could only respond to his
voice.
“And he calls his own
sheep by name.” ---- The shepherd
gave every sheep different names and called his own sheep by name everyday when
he entered or went out of the sheepfold. The shepherd never called the sheep randomly
but called those who are of him.
Spiritual Meaning: “doorkeeper” typifies the Holy Spirit
who opens the
door of one’s spirit and let the
Lord Jesus enter one’s
life and heart. There are also some other Bible exegetes who think it refers to
John the Baptist ---- the forerunner of the Lord.
“He calls his own
sheep by name.” ---- It shows the
Lord knows who are of Him (see 1Cor 8:3; Gal 4:9) and calls the one who has
been preordained to be His sheep individually.
“And leads them out”
to release those who are imprisoned in the
religion of the law.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) The reason that the believers receive the
savior is because of the working of the Holy Spirit in them. When the Holy
Spirit opens one’s understanding and
ears
we will hear the calling of the Lord.
2) What the Lord has
spoke to us is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path (Ps 119:105)
which
will lead us in the right way.
John. 10:4 “And when he brings out his
own sheep
he goes before them; and the sheep follow him
for they know his
voice.”
YLT: “and
when his own sheep he may put forth
before them he goeth on
and the sheep
follow him
because they have known his voice;”
Literal
Meaning: “he goes before them”
in the areas of
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) “He goes before them”
the Lord
who never fails
will lead the
way of a believer’s whole life
so we
can follow Him at ease.
2) If one does not
follow the Lord
it indicates that he is not of the Lord (see 12:26; Matt
16:24)
for He who is of God hears God's words (see 8:47).
3) The shepherds of
the flock of God should not be the lords over those entrusted to you
but
examples to the flock (see 1Pet 5:2-3).
4) The freedom of the
sheep depends on the action of the shepherd
so it is restrained. Believers are
called to enjoy the true liberty
but it should not be considered an
opportunity to the flesh (see Gal 5:13).
5) The true shepherd
can know the voice of the shepherd. Likewise
he who has been truly saved also
has an instinct of life
which enables him to judge what is of the Lord
and
what is of the devil.
John. 10:5 “Yet they will by no means
follow a stranger
but will flee from him
for they do not know the voice of
strangers." ”
YLT: “and
a stranger they will not follow
but will flee from him
because they have not
known the voice of strangers.'”
Meaning
of Words: “stranger” refers to the Pharisees and the leaders of
the Judaism.
John. 10:6 “Jesus used this
illustration
but they did not understand the things which He spoke to them.”
YLT: “This similitude spake Jesus to them
and
they knew not what the things were that he was speaking to them;”
Literal
Meaning: “Jesus used this
illustration”
“illustration” refers to a parable embracing an allegoric
meaning. The Lord Jesus said these words in
the background that the blind had been healed
and He used the parable of the
good shepherd to illustrate His mission.
John. 10:7 “Then Jesus said to them
again
"Most assuredly
I say to you
I am the door of the sheep.”
YLT: “Jesus
said therefore again to them
`Verily
verily
I say to you -- I am the door of
the sheep;”
The
Background: “I am the door of the sheep.” ---- The doorkeepers in the areas of the
Literal
Meaning: “I am the door of the sheep.” ---- Some Bible expositors think it should
be translated in this way ---- “I am the shepherd of the sheep.” But according
to the Scriptures Codex
such translation was proved to be wrong.
The Lord Jesus is that door ---- He is the only access to everything of
God. This door has the functions as follows: (1) to distinguish between true
and false shepherd ---- he who enters only through Him is the shepherd
otherwise he is the thief (see v.1
8). (2) To protect and keep the sheep’s
life ---- he who enters only through Him shall be saved (obtain the protection)
and go in and
out and find pasture (see v.9).
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) The right of
accepting one into the sheepfold (the assembly) or refusing the force out of
the sheepfold lies in the Lord Jesus
not in any leader of the Christianity.
2) “The door of the sheep”
the noun “door” is singular. The Lord is
the only door
and there is none other door besides Him. God has prepared the
only salvation for men
for only Jesus Christ can redeem the sin for men.
3) God has ordained only one door for
believers ---- the Christ. But actually
believers have been unto so many things
---- much knowledge
works or some spiritual giants ---- which have become the
factors producing divisions among Christians. It has greatly sinned against
God.
John. 10:8 “All who ever came before Me
are thieves and robbers
but the sheep did not hear them.”
YLT: “all
as many as came before me
are thieves and
robbers
but the sheep did not hear them;”
Literal
Meaning: “all who ever came before Me”
it did not refer to all
men before the coming of the Lord Jesus (see 5:33
46; 8:56)
but the “false
prophets” and the “false teachers” in that generation and the previous ones
as
well as those who considered themselves as the “false Messiah” who came to save
the people of Israel (see Jem 23:1-2; Ezek 34:2-3)
including the political
leaders who did not believe Him (see Matt 9:36; 23:11-36).
“Are thieves and robbers”
it indicates that they never consider for the
sheep
only scheming to make their own profit by making use of the sheep.
Enlightenment
in the Word: all the philosophy
culture and traditions in the world are not the door for us to enter the
spiritual things. They are not only unable to give us life
but rather harmful
to us (for they are robbers). Therefore
we should always refuse such involvement
in these teachings.
John. 10:9 “I am the door. If anyone
enters by Me
he will be saved
and will go in and out and find pasture. ”
YLT: “I
am the door
through me if any one may come in
he shall be saved
and he shall
come in
and go out
and find pasture.”
Literal
Meaning: “If anyone enters by Me
he
will be saved.” ---- It indicates
that once the sheep enter the sheepfold
they have got the protection.
“And
will go in and out and find pasture.”
---- Go in first
and then go out. The sheep should enter the sheepfold and
establish the relationship with the shepherd first
and then go out and follow
the shepherd to go to the pasture and obtain all that they need.
This verse mentions three kinds of benefits that the “door” has provided
for the sheep: (1) the sheep will be saved ---- being delivered out of the
danger. (2) The sheep will go in and out ---- obtaining the liberty. (3) They find pasture ---- being satisfied.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Christ is the door.
The belief of the Christ is neither a series of doctrines nor a house of the
church
but a person ---- the savior the Lord Jesus.
2) Door is used to go
in or out. If a man wants to obtain the salvation
he should enter the door
i.e. receive Christ by faith.
3) “Go in” first
and “go out” afterwards. Believers should come to God to
enjoy Him
and then go to bear witness before men.
4) We believers should
go into the veil to enjoy the sweet fellowship with the Lord
and go forth to
him without the camp to bear his reproach (see Heb 13:11-13).
John. 10:10 “The thief does not come
except to steal
and to kill
and to destroy. I have come
that they may have life
and that they may have it more abundantly. ”
YLT: “`The
thief doth not come
except that he may steal
and kill
and destroy; I came
that they may have life
and may have abundantly.”
Meaning
of Words: “kill”: slay; “destroy”: die
lose; “have”: find
hold; “more abundantly”: exceeding abundantly above
beyond
measure
super abundantly;
Literal
Meaning: “the thief does not come
except to steal
and to kill
and to destroy.” ---- The thief purposes to steal the sheep of
others
bringing destruction to the sheep eventually.
“That
they may have life”
“life” refers to
the eternal life (see 3:16
36; 5:40; 6:33; 14:6; 20:31).
“And
that they may have it more abundantly.”
---- “Have it
more abundantly”
it does not mean
another life
but means the spiritual life will increase unto the state of full
age.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) The Lord Jesus came
to grant His life to men
not to obtain anything from men.
2) All the religions
require men’s work. Only is the
Lord Jesus the one who bestows life upon men and makes them have it more abundantly.
3) He is responsible
to give life to men in the beginning and give one abundant one afterwards
for
it is His mission. Praise the Lord ---- He is the leader and completer of faith
(see Heb 12:2).
4) At the outset
believers can enjoy only a little of the life. The more one enjoys the life
later
the more one’s
measure of enjoying the life will be enlarged. The increasing enjoyment will
lead a man into fullness.
5) The grace of the
Lord’s life is full and
abundant. He is willing to grant all the fullness that keeps the life to those
who are of Him (see Ps 23:1).
6) For in Him dwells
all the fullness of the Godhead bodily
and we are complete in him (
John. 10:11 “"I am the good
shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. ”
YLT: “`I
am the good shepherd; the good shepherd his life layeth down for the sheep;”
Meaning
of Words: “good”: fair
honest
meet
well
worthy;
“give”: advise
appoint
bow
commit
conceive; “life”: soul.
Literal
Meaning: “I am the good shepherd.”
---- In the Old Testament
God Himself was the shepherd of the people of
“The good shepherd gives His life for
the sheep.” ---- The Lord Jesus revealed that He was the good shepherd who gave
life for the sheep. His death was voluntary. The meaning in the original of “giving
life” is not losing life really
but a sacrificing spirit of throwing the helve
after the hatchet or taking risks of losing life when the danger is impending
so “giving life” could be interpreted as “in the danger of taking risks of
losing life”.
There are three stages of being the good
shepherd of the Lord Jesus: (1) the word became the flesh
and gave life for
the sheep ---- the good shepherd (see v.11
15
17). (2) He had risen from dead
and is looking after the flock ---- the great shepherd (see Heb 13:20). (2) He
will come again and judge the entire shepherds
---- the chief shepherd (see 1Pet 5:4).
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) The Lord said in the
previous verse: “I have come that they may
have life
and that they may have it more abundantly.” In this verse He said: “the good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.” Assuredly
the salvation of Christ who has
given His life to us is purposed to bring us into His fullness.
2) One should give his
life first before providing life for others. The death on the cross is always
the merely way of giving life.
3) He who is willing
to receive the death of the cross ---- “give life” and provide life ---- is the “good shepherd”.
John. 10:12 “But a hireling
he who is
not the shepherd
one who does not own the sheep
sees the
wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep
and scatters them. ”
YLT: “and
the hireling
and not being a shepherd
whose own the sheep are not
doth
behold the wolf coming
and doth leave the sheep
and doth flee; and the wolf
catcheth them
and scattereth the sheep;”
Meaning
of Words: “leave”:
forgive
forsake; “catch”: pluck
pull
take (by force); “scatter”: disperse
abroad;
The
Background: according to the
Jewish traditional sayings
if the shepherds who were hired to look after the
flock saw the sheep were eating by the wild beasts
they should take the
responsibility of compensation. Therefore
when they saw such condition
most
of them would slip away.
Enlightenment
in the Word: all those who are
easily moved when meeting difficulties and escape the cross ---- “sees the wolf coming and
leaves the sheep and flees” ---- are only hirelings. But the shepherds are willing to confront
the cross without escaping. Even though we serve God and look after brothers
the attitude towards the cross will eventually prove whether we are “shepherds”
or “hirelings”.
John. 10:13 “The hireling
flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep.”
YLT: “and
the hireling doth flee because he is an hireling
and is not caring for the
sheep.”
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) A hireling cares about himself
not the
sheep. If an evangelist cares about what he has obtained (e.g. money
the
respect shown from others)
he is just proved to be a hireling. When he forgets
himself and cares about the flock of God only
he will be a good shepherd.
2) Today
there are
many hirelings in the assembly who serve God nominally ---- they covet after a
comfortable job only
but have no love to the flock of God at all.
John. 10:14 “I am the good shepherd; and
I know My sheep
and am known by My own.”
YLT: “`I
am the good shepherd
and I know my
and am known by mine
”
Meaning
of Words: “good”:
fair
honest
meet
well
worthy;
Literal Meaning: “and I know My sheep
and am known by My own”
“know” refers to the profound inward
knowledge
which derives from the fellowship of life.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) In the age of the New Testament
believers
shall not teach each his brother
how to know the Lord. Because all shall know the
Lord in themselves
from little one unto great among them (see Heb 8:11).
2) The Lord has an
intimate relationship concerning the union and fellowship of life with us.
John. 10:15 “As the Father knows Me
even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the
sheep.”
YLT: “according as the Father doth know me
and I know
the Father
and my life I lay down for the sheep
”
Literal
Meaning: “I
lay down My life for the sheep.” ---- Such
expression has appeared four times in this chapter (see v.11
17
18).
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) The shepherd and
the sheep know each other (v.14) ---- this is the very epitome of the profound
relation between the Father and the Son.
2) The Lord lay down His life for the sheep in order to give His risen and full life. The more
sufferings one bears
the more provision of life he can give to others.
John. 10:16 “And
other sheep I have
which are not of this fold; them also I must bring
and
they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.”
YLT: “and
other sheep I have that are not of this fold
these also it behoveth me to
bring
and my voice they will hear
and there shall become one flock -- one
shepherd.”
Spiritual
Meaning: “and other sheep I have”
it refers to the Gentile believers (see
Acts 11:18).
“Which
are not of this fold”
it refers to
those who are not of the Judaism.
“And there
will be one flock”
it indicates that
the Jewish believers and Gentile believers will be one in Christ (see 11:52;
17:20-21; Is 56:8; Eph 2:13-18; 1Pet 2:25).
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) The Lord Jesus
guides men individually
but brings them into “one flock” finally. All the divisions among the
Christians are on account of having not received His guidance absolutely.
2) There is more than
one fold
but the flock should be only “one flock”.
3) Christ who has
given His life provides His full life to fulfill the universal union ---- “be one” ---- the assembly
namely
His full body.
It unveils that the ministry of Christ is universal
He cares about not only
those are of the fold ---- the Jews who are orthodox
but also those who are
out of the fold ---- the Gentiles who are scattered
and the Lord will bring
them back to the fold.
4) The assembly should
be one
and there shall not be the distinction between “inside” or “outside” the fold any longer. The only factor
concerning the union of the assembly is the Son of God ---- the full Christ.
When the Christ
who has risen from the dead and thus has become the great
shepherd of the sheep (Heb 13:20)
becomes the common and concentrated focus of
the whole assembly ---- “there
will be one shepherd”
the church will reach the true oneness.
5) Today we believers
have only one orientation
i.e. “to
become one flock”. If one acts
independently
he will become a lost lamb.
John. 10:17 “"Therefore My Father
loves Me
because I lay down My life that I may take it
again.”
YLT: “`Because of this doth the Father love me
because
I lay down my life
that again I may take it;”
Literal
Meaning: “because I lay down My life
that I may take it again”. ---- The word “because”
indicates why the Father loves the Son. The Lord Jesus keeps the will of God
and is willing to give His life
so the Father loves Him.
It also unveils that the Lord’s death is not an accidental matter which
is on account of being unable to withstand the formidable environmental
conditions. He is voluntary to give His life
and has the authority to take it
again ---- which refers to His resurrection.
John. 10:18 “No
one takes 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 command I have received from My
Father." ”
YLT: “no
one doth take it from me
but I lay it down of myself; authority I have to lay
it down
and authority I have again to take it; this command I received from my
Father.'”
Literal
Meaning: “no one takes it from Me
but
I lay it down of Myself.” ---- It is free
grace that Christ has died for the sinners ---- it is divine grace from God
and men makes none contribution.
“This command I have received from My Father.” ---- It indicates that:
(1) the resurrection from the dead of the Lord Jesus is the will of the Father.
(2) The resurrection from the dead of the Lord Jesus is the key point of
fulfilling the will of God.
Enlightenment
in the Word: Christ
the
originator of life
has the authority of life in His hand. Therefore
he gave
His life voluntarily in his suffering of death so as to manifest His fullness.
John. 10:19 “Therefore there was a
division again among the Jews because of these sayings.”
YLT: “Therefore
again
there came a division among the
Jews
because of these words
”
Meaning
of Words: “division”:
schism
split;
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) When someone has received
Christ
there always arise divisions in his family or among the members in the
social organizations. The fire is usually unavoidably kindled among men because
of Him (see Luke 12:49-53).
2) There are great struggles
and uneasiness in the men who are unwilling to receive the savior. But he who
is willing to receive the Lord will enjoy the divine peace inwardly.
John. 10:20 “And many of them said
"He has a demon and is mad. Why do you listen to Him?" ”
YLT: “and
many of them said
`He hath a demon
and is mad
why do ye hear him?'”
John. 10:21 “Others said
"These
are not the words of one who has a demon. Can a demon open
the eyes of the blind?" ”
YLT: “others
said
`These sayings are not those of a demoniac; is a demon able blind men's
eyes to open?'”
Literal
Meaning: “can a demon open the eyes of the blind?” ---- It proves that the speaking in chapter
ten is in the background of the sign of healing thee blind man in the previous
chapter
so these two chapters have connections therein.
John. 10:22 “Now it was the Feast of Dedication in
YLT: “And
the dedication in
The Background: “the Feast of Dedication”
there was not this feast in the law of the Old
Testament. It had been established during the period between the two
testaments. In the 168 BC
the king of
Literal
Meaning: “now it was the Feast of
Dedication in
“It was winter”
it was an explanation for those who were
not familiar with the Jewish calendar. According to the solar calendar
the Feast of Dedication was held around December 25th
---- that was exactly winter.
John. 10:23 “And Jesus walked in the
temple
in Solomon's porch.”
YLT: “and
Jesus was walking in the temple
in the porch of Solomon
”
Literal
Meaning: “in Solomon's porch”
there were porches around the outer court
of the temple
and Solomon's
porch lay eastwardly.
“Walk”
it contains a meaning of teaching.
John. 10:24 “Then
the Jews surrounded Him and said to Him
"How long do You keep us in
doubt? If You are the Christ
tell us plainly." ”
YLT: “the
Jews
therefore
came round about him
and said to him
`Till when our soul
dost thou hold in suspense? if thou art the Christ
tell us freely.'”
Literal
Meaning: “how long do You keep us in
doubt?” ---- “doubt” in
Greek is the same word as “take (v.18)”
so it can also be translated: “how
long do you take my life”. It suggested that the Jews had realized that the safety
of their whole kingdom depended on the ministry of the Christ.
John. 10:25 “Jesus answered them
"I told you
and you do not believe.
The works that I do in My Father's name
they bear witness of Me.”
YLT: “Jesus
answered them
`I told you
and ye do not believe; the works that I do in the
name of my Father
these testify concerning me;”
Literal
Meaning: “I told you”
the Lord Jesus had never said He was the
Messiah in public
except for that in the individual situation (see 4:26;
9:35). However
what He had focused on in His teaching was sufficient enough to
manifest His being (see 8:56
58).
“And
you do not believe.” ---- They could
not know He is the Messiah from His words and works because of their unbelief.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) What the Lord has
done reveals His being (see v.32
38). He manifests His fullness through His
being.
2) Only God
not men
can do what the Lord Jesus has done.
John. 10:26 “But you do not believe
because you are not of My sheep
as I said to you.”
YLT: “but
ye do not believe
for ye are not of my sheep
”
Literal
Meaning: they could not
believe because of their nature.
John. 10:27 “My sheep hear My voice
and
I know them
and they follow Me.”
YLT: “according
as I said to you: My sheep my voice do hear
and I know them
and they follow
me
”
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Christians have the life of Christ
so
they can enjoy the life of fellowship with Christ. We should not live the Christian
life for the purpose of being a Christian. We live the Christian life
for we
are Christians.
2) It is highly
natural that believers hear the voice of the Lord everyday and follow the
guidance of His words.
John. 10:28 “And I give them eternal
life
and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My
hand.”
YLT: “and
life age-during I give to them
and they shall not perish -- to the age
and no
one shall pluck them out of my hand;”
Literal
Meaning: “and I give them eternal life.” ---- Eternal life is a gift granted by
Christ.
“Neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand”. ---- It teaches
believers to know the trustworthiness of eternal life
but it does not mean we
can be slack in watching and seeking spiritual things.
Controversial Clarification: when believers have been saved
they have
obtained the eternal life. The Lord has also promised in His words: “they shall never perish”. However
it seems to suggest in some
others verses of the Scripture (e.g. 6:4-8) that even the one who has been
saved yet may fall away from grace and perish forever. There are lengthy controversies
concerning eternal life among the Bible expositors. As to the verses with “controversies”
we will
present the detailed explanations. Here
we have the evidences as regards the
phrase “never perish”:
1. God saves us according to His will
(1Tim1:9)
and His will is unchangeable (Heb 6:17). Therefore
our salvation
shall never lose (John 6:39).
2. We have been saved ---- we have not chosen
the Lord
but He has chosen us (John 15:16)
and the gifts and the calling of God
are not subject to repentance (Rom 11:29). Therefore
our salvation will always
be stable.
3. We have been saved for God loves us
not we
love God (1John 4:10). Nothing shall separate us from the love of God (Rom
8:35-39)
so He will save us to the uttermost.
4. Our salvation is not according to our works
but His grace (2 Tim 1:9). And the riches of God’s grace (Eph 1:7) are sufficient enough to
satisfy our need.
5. Our salvation is to show forth the
righteousness of God (Rom3:26)
and Righteousness and judgment are the
foundation of the throne of God (Ps 89:14). Therefore
He will not forsake us
to go against His righteousness.
6. We have been saved for God has consummated a
new covenant with us (Heb 8:8-13)
and God will never profane His covenant (Ps
89:14). Therefore
our salvation cannot be moved.
7. It is God's power to salvation (Rom 1:16).
His power is so great that no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's
hand (John 10:29).
8. We have been saved and have obtained the
eternal life of God
so we shall never perish (John 10:28).
9. Our salvation is of God
with whom is no
variation (James 1:17).
10. Having been perfected
Christ became the
author of eternal salvation (Heb 5:9).
11. No one can snatch them out of the hand of
Christ (John 10:28).
12. The Lord has promised that the one that
comes to Him He will not at all cast out (John6:37).
John. 10:29 “My Father
who has given
them to Me
is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My
Father's hand.”
YLT: “my
Father
who hath given to me
is greater than all
and no one is able to pluck
out of the hand of my Father;”
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) “My Father
who has given
them to Me
is greater than all”.
---- The gracious gift that the Father has granted to the Lord Jesus is the
eternal life
which is greater than all.
2) The unity of the assembly will produce unbeatable power (see
6:39; 17:2).
John. 10:30 “I and My Father are
one." ”
YLT: “I
and the Father are one.'”
Literal
Meaning: “I and My Father are
one." ---- “One”
a neuter
in Greek
means the same kind
but not the same one. The Son and the Father are
one
but different in person. They have the same nature
life
work
power
i.e. sameness
equality
and the same nature and life
but they are different
in person.
This verse indicates that the Son has the same will and power in the
matter of protecting believers like the Father (see v.28-29)
and they are also
the same in nature. Therefore
it evoked strong reactions among the Jews (see
v.31
33).
John. 10:31 “Then the Jews took up stones
again to stone Him.”
YLT: “Therefore
again
did the Jews take up stones that they may stone him;”
Meaning
of Words: “take
up”: bear
carry;
Literal
Meaning: “took up stones to stone”
they prepared to
execute the law (see Lev 24:16)
but lost the necessary procedures.
John. 10:32 “Jesus answered them
"Many good works I have shown you from My Father. For which of those works
do you stone Me?" ”
YLT: “Jesus
answered them
`Many good works did I shew you from my Father; because of which
work of them do ye stone me?'”
Literal
Meaning: “many good works”
in the
original they refer to good and respectable works
including signs.
John. 10:33 “The Jews answered Him
saying
"For a good work we do not stone You
but for blasphemy
and
because You
being a Man
make Yourself God." ”
YLT: “The
Jews answered him
saying
`For a good work we do not stone thee
but for evil
speaking
and because thou
being a man
dost make thyself God.'”
Literal
Meaning: “because You
being a Man
make Yourself God.” ---- The Jews regard it as blasphemy (see Mark 14:64).
John. 10:34 “Jesus answered them
"Is it not written in your law
"I said
"You are gods"'? ”
YLT: “Jesus
answered them
`Is it not having been written in your law: I said
ye are
gods?”
Literal
Meaning: “Is it not written in your
law”
“law” generally refers to the Law of
Moses
but here it represents the whole Old Testament.
“I said
"You are gods"”
it is quoted from the Psalms (82:6). God means
Elohim (in the original). “You are gods”
they called those Jewish rulers ----
who walked before the people in the name of God ---- “god”.
John. 10:35 “If He called them gods
to
whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken)
”
YLT: “if
them he did call gods unto whom the word of God came
(and the Writing is not
able to be broken
)”
Meaning
of Words: “be
broken”: break (up)
destroy
dissolve
melt
and put off
Literal
Meaning: “the Scripture cannot be
broken”
the Lord Jesus
here bore witness of the absolute authority and credibility of the Old Testament.
“To
whom the word of God came”
it referred to
the judges who make the judgment according to the command of God (see Ps 82:2).
“If He
called them gods”
they were called gods to a certain degree. Having
been entrusted by God
the Jewish leaders received the power and the consecration
in service thereby (all these were based on God’s divine words which would in
no wise pass away)
thus were called gods.
Controversial Clarification: from ancient times to the present
there had
been some extreme religious sects who used this verse to emphasize that Christians
could also call themselves “gods”
since the Lord Jesus accepted that “men
could be called gods”. They developed a series of theology ---- Christ Jesus
who is God became a man for the purpose of making men be gods. Those who initiated
this concept had other reasons ---- they confessed their so called “god” had
the divinity
but had no divine person
so they had not actually blasphemed the
only true God. However
such concept is unconsciously eroding the spirit of
some Christians
making them unknowingly drop into one of the two extreme
results:
1. The one who has obtained some spiritual
attainments may regard he is a cut above others
thus recommitting the same
error of the fallen Satan.
2. The general believers will sigh for their
spiritual immaturity and turn to adore the spiritual giants in their hearts and
regard them as gods.
However
it has actually
plainly stated in the New Testament that we believers are “the children of God
(see 1:12; Rom 8:16; 1John 3:1)”
and have obtained “the life of God (see
20:31)” and have partaken in “the divine nature of God (see 2 Pet 1:4)”. It is
the greatest grace for us. We should never imitate the spirit of Satan who
wants to exalt itself to “be like the Most High (see Is 14:12-15)” and calls
itself god.
John. 10:36 “do you say of Him whom the
Father sanctified and sent into the world
"You are blaspheming
' because
I said
"I am the Son of God'? ”
YLT: “of
him whom the Father did sanctify
and send to the world
do ye say -- Thou
speakest evil
because I said
Son of God I am?”
Meaning
of Words: “sanctified”: purify
consecrate
hallow
be holy;
Literal
Meaning: the Lord Jesus
meant that if those judges who made judgment were called gods (see v.35)
how
should not the one whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world be rather
called “the Son of God”?
John. 10:37 “If I do not do the works of
My Father
do not believe Me;”
YLT: “if
I do not the works of my Father
do not believe me;”
Literal
Meaning: “do the works of My Father”
the merciful works that the Father
Himself has done.
John. 10:38 “but if I do
though you do
not believe Me
believe the works
that you may know and believe that the
Father is in Me
and I in Him." ”
YLT: “and
if I do
even if me ye may not believe
the works believe
that ye may know and
may believe that in me the Father
and I in Him.'”
Literal
Meaning: “though you do not believe
Me
believe the works”
the Lord declared
here that His actions was in harmony with His teachings. His works are
sufficient enough to convince men
and such works also become the proof that He
is God.
“You
may know and believe”
the witness that
has been manifested in His works will gradually lead men to understand His
divinity.
Enlightenment
in the Word: unbelief hinders
men from seeing God. Faith
however
opens one’s eyes to see and receive the
Son of God.
John. 10:39 “Therefore they sought again
to seize Him
but He escaped out of their hand.”
YLT: “Therefore
were they seeking again to seize him
and he went forth out of their hand
”
Meaning
of Words: “escape”: depart (out of)
get
out;
Literal
Meaning: “He escaped out of their
hand.” ---- The Lord did
not escape away
but went out.
John. 10:40 “And He went away again
beyond the
YLT: “and
went away again to the other side of the
Literal
Meaning: “beyond the
John. 10:41 “Then many came to Him and
said
"John performed no sign
but all the things that John spoke about
this Man were true." ”
YLT: “and
many came unto him
and said -- `John
indeed
did no sign
and all things
as
many as John said about this one were true;'”
John. 10:42 “And many believed in Him
there.”
YLT: “and
many did believe in him there.”
Literal
Meaning: it indicated that
the works and signs done by the Lord had fully proved that He was the Christ
whom the Jews hoped for. The people began to understand that the witnesses
borne by John the Baptist at that time were true (see v.41)
so many of them
believed in Him there.
Enlightenment
in the Word: those who believed
in the Lord Jesus believed the words of John Baptist first. If one desires to
seek the heavenly things
he will eventually devote himself unto the Lord
Himself.
III.
Outlines of the Spiritual Lessons
I. How to Discern the Thief (the False
Shepherd)?
A. He who does not enter the sheepfold by the door
but climbs up some other way (v.1).
B.
But will flee from him
for they do not know the voice of
strangers (V.5).
C. All
who ever came before Me (v
D. But the sheep did not hear them (the thieves) (v.8b).
E. The
thief does not come except to steal
and to kill
and to destroy (v.10).
II. The Two Functions of
the Door
A. To differentiate
between the true and false shepherds (v.1-2).
B. To differentiate
between the true and false believers (v.9).
III. The Proofs of the
True Shepherd
A. He
who enters by
the door (v.2).
B. To him the doorkeeper opens (v.
C. The sheep hear his voice (v.3b).
D. He calls his own sheep by name (v.3b)
E. He leads them out
(v
F. He goes before them (v.4).
IV. How to be a Good Shepherd of the Flock of
God?
A. The sheep know his voice (v.3-5). ---- He shall always live with the sheep
together.
B. He calls his own sheep by
name (v.3). ---- He shall know the sheep by
name.
C. He goes before them
and the sheep follow Him (v.4) ---- He shall be a good exemplar of
the flock.
D. They
may have life (v
E. They
may have it more abundantly (v.10b) ---- He
concentrates his attention on the growing of the sheep’s life.
F. The good shepherd gives His
life for the sheep (v.11
15
17).
---- He loves the sheep as himself and is willing to sacrifice himself for the
sheep.
G.
He cares about the sheep (v.13b) ---- Just like the one who nourishes and
cherishes (see Eph 5:29).
H.
I know My sheep
and am known by My own (v.14). ---- He has deep fellowship
with the sheep.
J.
There will be one flock and one shepherd (v
K.
He shall let no one snatch the sheep through the protection of the great hands
of both God and the Lord (v.28-29).
V. The Lord is the Door
of the Sheep
A. He
is the door of salvation ----
If anyone enters by Me
he will be saved (v
B. He is the door of feed ---- and will go in and out and find
pasture (v.9b).
C. He is the door of abundant life ---- that they may have life
and that they may have it more abundantly (v.10).
VI. Who is
the Hireling?
A. He does not think the sheep is of his own (v
B. He sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees (v.12b)
C. He does not care about the sheep
(v.13).
VII. The Characteristics
of the Good Shepherd
A. The
good shepherd gives His life for the sheep (v.11).
B. The good shepherd knows His sheep
and is known by His own (v.14).
VIII. The relations between
the Lord Jesus and God the Father
A. My Father loves Me (v.17) ---- He is the beloved one of the
Father.
B. I lay down My life that I
may take it again. This command I have received from My Father (v.17-18). ---- He
became obedient even unto death
and death of cross. Therefore also God highly
raised exalted him (see Phil 2:8-9).
C. The works that I do in My
Father's name
they bear witness of Me
(v.25). ---- He does works in the Father
which
proves that He is sent by God
D. No
one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand (v.28-29). ---- The hands of
the Lord and the Father protect us
which proves their will to believers is the
same.
E. I and My Father are one (v.30). ---- They have the same nature and
power.
F. Many good works I have
shown you from My Father (v.32) ---- The
Father is the source of His works.
G. The
one who was
sanctified by the Father and was sent into the world called He is the Son of God (v.36). ----
Only He declared God the Father (see 1:18).
H. He does
the works of His Father (v. 37-38). ---- They are different in
person
but the same works.
──
Caleb Huang《Christian Digest Bible
Commentary Series》
Translated by Mary Zhou