V1-10 Jesus Christ the gate, emphasising or security and protection.
V1 The warning, that some proclaim false religion. He implied that some Jewish leaders were thieves and robbers. These teachings are not purely theoretical.
V2 There is the shepherd, Christ Himself, the shepherd of His sheep.
V3-4 He calls His sheep by name; His perfect knowledge and loving concern, so that His sheep trust Him and follow Him.
He leads them out, he brings them out, 1 Pet 2.21; He is our example, and the captain of our salvation.
The Christian leader is the under-shepherd, who earns the trust of others.
He goes before them, knowing all that will happen, warning of dangers, preparing the sheep for difficult times ahead.
V5 We are warned against strangers, false shepherds, who would lead us astray.
V6 The danger of ignorance, and the ignorance of danger.
V7-8 The clear statement, “I am the gate” (or door), previous claimants are thieves and robbers. The sheep, true believers, do not heed the voice of thieves and robbers.
V9 The gate, the Saviour; one gate only, to salvation, to safety, to security (Gen 6.16; 7.16). The gate leads to pasture, enjoyment and fulfilment.
The sheep would stay in the fold at night; there is safety during dark times. They enjoy pasture during the day, feeding in good times.
V10 Abundant life for the flock; this is at the cost of the shepherd’s life.
False shepherds come to kill and destroy. We must beware the stranger and the hireling. Note that there is only one true shepherd, but many false.
V11-18 Jesus Christ the good shepherd, emphasising the price He paid, and His concern for us. The claims made here fulfil the words of Psalm 23; He is the Lord our Shepherd.
V11 The good shepherd is responsible for the flock, he cares for them; He searches for the lost sheep until He finds it, Luke 15.4-6.
Sheep are wilful and rebellious, they go astray, but Christ has borne their iniquity, Is 53.6.
V12 The shepherd owns the sheep, and will protect them. The hireling is more interested in himself and his wages, and so neglects the sheep. Since we belong to Christ we have total confidence in Him.
There is an enemy, the wolf, who will destroy the flock. Individually, and away from the shepherd, the sheep are vulnerable.
V13 Compare 2 Sam 10.13; the Syrians, hired by Ammon, fled when there was danger. The hireling has no commitment, and little responsibility, and is therefore unwilling to sacrifice for the sake of the sheep.
V14 The good shepherd has a relationship with the sheep. The Lord Jesus makes two crucial statements;
- the good shepherd is excellent and exceptional;
- Jesus Christ is the good shepherd.
V15 The good shepherd was sent by the Father to care for the flock, and to lay down His life for the flock.
V16 One shepherd, Zech 14.9; one king over the new ‘extended’ flock; this implies that Gentiles will join Jews in a single flock.
V17-18 Christ’s death was voluntary, a deliberate choice; His power over death meant that He could lay down His life, and take it up again. Later, Pilate entered into a discussion on power (19.10-11); Pilate had no power except what was given him from above.
V19 Amongst the Jews there was a division because of Jesus’ teaching.
V20-21 Jesus’ words and works were consistent; we see a perfect and delightful consistency. Many Jews reacted against his bold statements, thinking His claims the words of a madman.
V22-23 Following v21, Jesus returned to Galilee, and then back again to Jerusalem, a gap of several months.
V24 “Tell us plainly,” yet Jesus had, see 4.25-26; 9.35-37. The people were unwilling to accept the real truth about God’s Son. They wanted the ‘truth’ on their own terms.
V25 Jesus’ works, being unique, demonstrated that He was the Son of God. Many recognised that the healing of the blind man was unique, v21; 9.22.
V26 They did not belong to Him, they were not known by Him, so they did not believe.
V27 “My sheep” are characterised by trust and obedience, not criticism, dispute, and arguing.
V28-30 Jesus told them plainly, in Him is eternal life, life that is guaranteed. He gives eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them away; the Father and Son are one. Can He be more plain?
V31 Again, Jesus’ claims went beyond what many were prepared to accept.
V32-33 The challenge; the Jews asked Jesus to tell them plainly, he did so, and threatened His life.
V34-35 Dignity for the Jews, called “gods,” exalted above the angels.
V36 The great grace and glory of God in send His Son Jesus Christ into the world.
V37-38 Jesus’ works demonstrated His greatness and deity. Since His words may be difficult, start with His works, and see there the works of the Father; from that we must recognise that Jesus truly was and is the Son of God.
V39 Their response was again to try to seize Him.
V40-42 The on going testimony of John Baptist, he performed no sign. There was a danger that, had he also performed signs (miracles) he would have drawn attention away from Christ.