John 10:1-15 ▼

1 “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, he who does not enter by the door into the sheepfold, but climbs up from some other place [on the stone wall], that one is a thief and a robber.

2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep [the protector and provider].

3 The doorkeeper opens [the gate] for this man, and the sheep hear his voice and pay attention to it. And [knowing that they listen] he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out [to pasture].

4 When he has brought all his own sheep outside, he walks on ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice and recognize his call.

5 They will never follow a stranger, but will run away 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 talking about.

7 So Jesus said again, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, I am the Door for the sheep [leading to life].

8 All who came before Me [as false messiahs and self-appointed leaders] are thieves and robbers, but the [true] sheep did not hear them.

9 I am the Door; anyone who enters through Me will be saved [and will live forever], and will go in and out [freely], and find pasture (spiritual security).

10 The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows].

11 I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His [own] life for the sheep.

12 But the hired man [who merely serves for wages], who is neither the shepherd nor the owner of the sheep, when he sees the wolf coming, deserts the flock and runs away; and the wolf snatches the sheep and scatters them.

13 The man runs because he is a hired hand [who serves only for wages] and is not concerned about the [safety of the] sheep.

14 I am the Good Shepherd, and I know [without any doubt those who are] My own and My own know Me [and have a deep, personal relationship with Me]—

15 even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father—and I lay down My [very own] life [sacrificing it] for the benefit of the sheep.