John 10:1-10
Chapter 10
Jesus, the Good Shepherd
“Truly, I say to you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold through the gate, but climbs in some other way, is a thief and a robber.But the shepherd of the sheep enters by the gate.
The keeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice; he calls each of his sheep by name and leads them out.
When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they recognize his voice.
A stranger they will not follow; instead, they will run away from him because they don’t recognize a stranger’s voice.”
Jesus used this comparison, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.
So, Jesus said:
“Truly, I say to you, I am the gate of the sheep.
All who came before me were thieves and robbers, and the sheep did not listen to them.
I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, will go in and out freely, and will find food.
The thief comes to steal and kill and destroy, but I have come that they may have life, life in all its fullness.
Commentaries
Jesus, the Good Shepherd.
Jesus presents Himself as the true Shepherd of His people. He leads His sheep out of the enclosure of Judaism to form a new flock or messianic community. He is the gate that grants access to salvation; the Good Shepherd who offers life in abundance. A relationship of mutual knowledge and communion develops between Jesus and the sheep. The Good Shepherd gives His life for His sheep (this phrase appears five times). The death of Jesus Christ fulfills the Father’s will and command, demonstrating His charity, but His death points toward the resurrection. These two events make up the work of salvation.