John 10:1-18 - I Know My Own
John 10:10 “Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a bandit and a thief. 2) The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3) The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4) When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5) They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6) Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. 7) So again, Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8) All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. 9) I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. 10) The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 11) “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12) The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away—and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13) The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. 14) I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me. 15) just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. 16) I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So, there will be one flock, one shepherd. 17) For this reason, the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. 18) No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.”
Background: This story is set at the time of the Feast of Dedication that is also called Hanukkah. Israel experienced terrible persecution at many points in its national life. One of the worst of those times occurred at the hands of the Selucids, a remnant of Alexander the Great’s empire in the 160’s BCE. In 167 BCE the Temple and its altar were desecrated and a revolt, led by one priest and his sons broke out. This was one of the most incredible stories of war ever! The small band of rebels, led by one of the sons, Judas Maccabee, held out and eventually prevailed, reclaiming Jerusalem. In 164 BCE the Temple was purified and rededicated. The 8-day rededication became an established ceremony in Jewish life. It is sometimes considered a second feast of Tabernacles because it remembers God’s wonderful provision for Israel in the months the people lived in caves and fought the Selucids. It is also known as the Feast of Lights, celebrating the rekindling of the holy lights symbolizing God’s presence. During this celebration two themes are generally emphasized: 1. God as shepherd of Israel and 2) Israel as God’s sheep.
Imagery in John: John’s seemingly simple stories and metaphors always carry layer upon layer of meaning. John’s intent is that the meaning unfolds within the heart of the believer on many levels. Therefore, it is rarely appropriate to say, “By this sign John meant that.” John’s imagery is always understood against the backdrop of personal faith, persecution, and the whole of the Biblical witness.
The Image of “Good Shepherd” in Scripture: There are more than 200 references to sheep and shepherds in the OT and many more in the NT. Most of those references are intended to help the believer understand who God is and who the believer is as a part of the believing community. That is the case in this passage. In some of the NT, the image of shepherd is used to help us understand the role of what we call pastoral leaders. That is not the case in this text. This text is about Jesus’ identity and his relationship with the sheep. Throughout the OT, the image of Messiah as shepherd of Israel is a reference to the messiah as the new Davidic King. Jesus’ hearers would have understood that. A central issue throughout this chapter is right faith in Jesus as opposed to diluted faith. The Gospel writer does not exactly spell out what this right faith consists of. We know that it has to do with following Jesus as the Word made flesh.
Word Study
v. 1 – very truly – literally “Amen. Amen.”
Sheepfold – usually a yard in front of a house surrounded by a stone fence topped with briars. The sheepfold would have a separate entrance from the house.
bandit – an interesting word in Greek. It carries the meaning of both robber and guerrilla warrior, someone who robs by a violent act.
Thief – someone who steals by fraud.
v. 3 – by name – many ancient Near Eastern shepherds had pet names for their sheep.
v. 4 – goes ahead of them – the shepherd usually walks in front of the sheep. Sometimes dogs or under shepherds follow behind to herd stragglers. The shepherd, however, always focuses on the destination.
v. 5 – a stranger – a rustler in the sense of the old west
v. 6 – figure of speech – illustrative speech that was clear to the teller but not the hearer.
v. 9 – gate – Jesus here is said to be both the shepherd and the gate. Sometimes in the ancient world shepherds would sleep across the threshold of the sheepfold to guard the sheep at night, serving then, as both shepherd and gate. Here the imagery of the gate probably has to do with Jesus being the entryway into the eternal realm of fullness.
v. 10 – kill – literally ‘slaughter as for sacrifice.’
abundantly – to the fullest, full to overflowing.
v. 11 – good – a very unusual word. It usually means beautiful in the sense of a model or ideal to which one looked for guidance or inspiration. It also means noble and connotes the ruling rather than the care giving aspects of the shepherd.
v. 12 – the hired hand – paid individual who has no personal sense of caring for the sheep.
v. 16 – I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold – We do not know exactly who is being referred to here. What is clear is the hope that Jesus has even for unbelievers. He says in very strong terms that they will (an emphatic word) eventually heed his voice.
Questions for Personal Reflection
1. Take a moment to imagine Jesus literally calling your name. What name would he use? Your given name? A pet name? A descriptive name? What would his tone of voice be? Once he had your attention, what do you think he would say to you today?
2. We say that we want Jesus to lead us. Are there times when you feel uncomfortable with where he tends to lead? What fears can you identify about following Jesus? What assurances do you find?