John 10:1-2 (WEL) “Very truly, I say to you, the one who does not enter the sheepfold through the door but climbs in some other way is a thief and a robber. 2 “But he who enters through the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
Chapter summary:
Joseph Benson:
“In this chapter,
(1) Christ, continuing his discourse, and speaking parabolically, represents himself as the door of the sheep-fold, through which men must necessarily enter, if they desire either their own salvation or that of others committed to their care, John 10:1-10.
(2) He describes himself as the good shepherd, who would lay down his life for the sheep, John 10:11-21.
(3) Discoursing of his union with the Father, he is charged with blasphemy; and, being assaulted by the Jews, retires beyond Jordan, John 10:22-42.
V1 “Very truly, I say to you, the one who does not enter the sheepfold through the door but climbs in some other way is a thief and a robber.
Jesus is emphasizing a truth that we need to pay attention to.
The sheepfold, the building, enclosure, consists of believers in Jesus Christ. The sheep is Jesus’s flock (Hebrews 13:20, 1 Peter 2:25, and 1 Peter 5:4), that is, all those who believe His Gospel.
Trying to get in, believing or disguising themselves as sheep, will be recognized as not Jesus’s sheep but someone else’s sheep (the devil).
The crime is stealing. Paul hints at these fakes believers in Acts 20:28-30, 2 Peter 2:1-3, 2 Peter 2:14-15, and Jude 1:4.
A thief (G2812 κλέπτης) is one who uses violence or threat of violence to steal. Judas was a kleptes (John 12:6). The robber (G3027 λῄστης) is one who steals openly and uses violence or threat of violence to steal. Barabbas was a robber (John 18:40) like the two robbers (Matthew 27:38, 44) crucified with Jesus.
V2 “But he who enters through the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
Jesus is the shepherd. There is no other name to be saved (Acts 4:12, John 14:6, Acts 10:43, and 1 Timothy 2:5). Any other name will not and cannot save anyone from their sins.
We learn:
- Jesus, and Jesus alone, is the savior.
- There are many fake Christians and Christian teachers.
Questions:
- What is the Gospel you believed?
- Have you believed in Jesus Christ alone for salvation?