John 10
Disciples’ Literal New Testament
10 1 Truly, truly, I say to you, the one not entering into the fold of the sheep through the door, but going-up from-another-place— that one is a thief and a robber. 2 But the One entering through the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The doorkeeper opens to this One. And the sheep hear[a] His voice. And He calls His own sheep by name, and leads them out. 4 When He brings out all His own, He proceeds in front of them. And the sheep are following Him, because they know His voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger, but will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers”. 6 Jesus spoke this figure-of-speech to them, but those ones did not understand what the things were which He was speaking to them.
I Am The Door of The Sheep. All Who Enter Through Me Will Be Saved
7 Then Jesus said again, “Truly, truly, I say to you that I am the door of [b] the sheep. 8 All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen-to them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters through Me, he will be saved. And he will go in and go out, and he will find pasture. 10 The thief does not come except that he may steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have abundance[c].
I Am The Good Shepherd. All My Sheep Know Me. I Give My Life For Them
11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays-down His life for the sheep. 12 The one being a hired one and not a shepherd, of whom the sheep are not his own— he sees the wolf coming and leaves[d] the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them, 13 because he is a hired one, and he is not concerned about the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd. And I know My sheep, and My sheep know Me— 15 just as the Father knows Me, and I know the Father. And I lay-down My life for the sheep. 16 And I have other sheep, which are not of this fold[e]. I must bring those also. And they[f] will hear My voice. And they will become one flock, [with] one Shepherd. 17 For this reason the Father loves Me— because I lay down My life so that I may take it up again. 18 No one takes it away from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. I received this commandment from My Father”.
The Pharisees Remain Divided
19 A division again[g] took place among the Jews because of these words. 20 And many of them were saying, “He has a demon, and He is mad. Why are you listening-to Him?” 21 Others[h] were saying, “These words are not from one being demon-possessed. A demon is not able to open the eyes of blind ones, is he?”
During The Festival of Hanukkah, Jesus Says He And The Father Are One
22 Then the Festival-of-Dedication[i] took place in Jerusalem. It was winter. 23 And Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon. 24 Then the Jews surrounded Him. And they were saying to Him, “How long are You keeping us in suspense[j]? If You are the Christ, tell us with plainness”. 25 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works which I am doing in the name of My Father— these are testifying about Me. 26 However, you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep. 27 My sheep hear My voice. And I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, ever. And someone will not snatch them out of My hand. 29 What[k] My Father has given to Me is greater than all. And no one is able to snatch them out of the hand of the Father. 30 I and the Father are one[l]”.
The Jewish Leaders Want To Kill Jesus For Blasphemy Because He Is Making Himself God
31 The Jews again carried stones in order that they might stone Him. 32 Jesus responded to them, “I showed you many good works from the Father. For which work of them do you stone Me?” 33 The Jews answered Him, “We do not stone You for a good work, but for blasphemy— even because You, being a human, are making Yourself God”.
Jesus Responds: Saying “I Am God’s Son” Is Not Blasphemy If I Am Doing God’s Works
34 Jesus responded to them, “Has it not been written in your Law that ‘I said, you are gods[m]’? 35 If He[n] called those ones to whom the word of God came gods— and the Scripture cannot be broken— 36 do you[o] say as to the One Whom the Father set-apart and sent-forth into the world that ‘You are blaspheming’ because I said, ‘I am God’s Son’? 37 If I am not doing the works of My Father, do not be believing Me. 38 But if I am doing them— even if you do not believe Me, be believing the works, in order that you may come-to-know and be understanding[p] that the Father is in Me, and I in the Father”. 39 Then they were seeking again to seize Him, and He went out of their hand.
Jesus Leaves Judea
40 And He went away again beyond the Jordan, to the place where John was first baptizing. And He was staying there. 41 And many came to Him, and were saying that “John did no sign— but all that John said about this One was true”. 42 And many believed in Him there.
Footnotes
- John 10:3 That is, listen to and obey. The blind man is the specific example in view, v 38.
- John 10:7 That is, to; or, for.
- John 10:10 Or, excess, overflow, surplus. That is, have an overflowing spiritual life abounding to others (as in 7:38), not mere existence. Jesus is referring to an abundance of ‘real’ life, 1 Tim 6:19.
- John 10:12 Or more strongly, abandons.
- John 10:16 Jesus may mean the Jewish fold, making the ones in view the Gentiles; or, the nation-of-Israel fold, making the ones in view the ‘children of God scattered’ outside Israel, Jews and Gentiles, 11:52.
- John 10:16 That is, all My sheep from both folds.
- John 10:19 See 9:16.
- John 10:21 So the case of the man born blind (9:1-10:21) comes down to this: Is Jesus empowered by God or Satan?
- John 10:22 That is, Hanukkah, the Feast of Lights, commemorating the rededication of the temple by Judas Maccabaeus in 165 b.c. after it had been desecrated by Antiochus Epiphanes.
- John 10:24 keeping us in suspense. Lit, lifting-up our soul [in suspense or anticipation].
- John 10:29 Or, That-which. Jesus may be referring to the flock itself viewed as an abstract whole; or, to His ‘authority over all flesh to give eternal life’ (17:2), making what follows ‘snatch it’. In either case, both the Father and the Son ensure the safety of the flock.
- John 10:30 That is, one in will and action. Jesus is claiming a oneness He shares with God because He is His Son (v 36) and therefore shares the essence or substance of His Father. Jesus is claiming to be acting as God and thus to be God, to which His listeners respond next.
- John 10:34 Jesus is quoting Ps 82:6, where the psalmist calls the judges of Israel gods (in authority over the people) because they carried out divine justice.
- John 10:35 Or, he (the psalmist); or, it (the Scripture).
- John 10:36 If God in Scripture called those judges gods, does this term not even more apply to Me, based on My works alone? Jesus is arguing from the lesser to the greater.
- John 10:38 Or, acknowledging.
John 10
King James Version
10 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.
4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.
6 This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.
7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.
8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.
9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.
13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
18 No man taketh 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 commandment have I received of my Father.
19 There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings.
20 And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him?
21 Others said, These are not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind?
22 And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.
23 And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch.
24 Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly.
25 Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me.
26 But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.
27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.
30 I and my Father are one.
31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.
32 Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?
33 The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.
34 Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?
35 If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;
36 Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?
37 If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.
38 But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.
39 Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand,
40 And went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized; and there he abode.
41 And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man were true.
42 And many believed on him there.
John 10
New King James Version
Jesus the True Shepherd
10 “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. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by (A)name and leads them out. 4 And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 Yet they will by no means follow a (B)stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6 Jesus used this illustration, but they did not understand the things which He spoke to them.
Jesus the Good Shepherd
7 Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who ever came [a]before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. 9 (C)I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 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.
11 (D)“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. 12 But a [b]hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and (E)leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. 13 The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd; and (F)I know My sheep, and (G)am known by My own. 15 (H)As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; (I)and I lay down My life for the sheep. 16 And (J)other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; (K)and there will be one flock and one shepherd.
17 “Therefore My Father (L)loves Me, (M)because I lay down My life that I may take it again. 18 No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I (N)have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. (O)This command I have received from My Father.”
19 Therefore (P)there was a division again among the Jews because of these sayings. 20 And many of them said, (Q)“He has a demon and is [c]mad. Why do you listen to Him?”
21 Others said, “These are not the words of one who has a demon. (R)Can a demon (S)open the eyes of the blind?”
The Shepherd Knows His Sheep
22 Now it was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter. 23 And Jesus walked in the temple, (T)in Solomon’s porch. 24 Then the Jews surrounded Him and said to Him, “How long do You keep us in [d]doubt? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.”
25 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. (U)The works that I do in My Father’s name, they (V)bear witness of Me. 26 But (W)you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, [e]as I said to you. 27 (X)My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 29 (Y)My Father, (Z)who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. 30 (AA)I and My Father are one.”
Renewed Efforts to Stone Jesus
31 Then (AB)the Jews took up stones again to stone Him. 32 Jesus answered them, “Many good works I have shown you from My Father. For which of those works do you stone Me?”
33 The Jews answered Him, saying, “For a good work we do not stone You, but for (AC)blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, (AD)make Yourself God.”
34 Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your law, (AE)‘I said, “You are gods” ’? 35 If He called them gods, (AF)to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture (AG)cannot be broken), 36 do you say of Him (AH)whom the Father sanctified and (AI)sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ (AJ)because I said, ‘I am (AK)the Son of God’? 37 (AL)If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; 38 but if I do, though you do not believe Me, (AM)believe the works, that you may know and [f]believe (AN)that the Father is in Me, and I in Him.” 39 (AO)Therefore they sought again to seize Him, but He escaped out of their hand.
The Believers Beyond Jordan
40 And He went away again beyond the Jordan to the place (AP)where John was baptizing at first, and there He stayed. 41 Then many came to Him and said, “John performed no sign, (AQ)but all the things that John spoke about this Man were true.” 42 And many believed in Him there.
Footnotes
- John 10:8 M omits before Me
- John 10:12 hired man
- John 10:20 insane
- John 10:24 Suspense
- John 10:26 NU omits as I said to you
- John 10:38 NU understand
Disciples' Literal New Testament: Serving Modern Disciples by More Fully Reflecting the Writing Style of the Ancient Disciples, Copyright © 2011 Michael J. Magill. All Rights Reserved. Published by Reyma Publishing
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
