The “Parable of the Good Shepherd” is recorded between two miracles which only John records: Jesus giving sight to a blind man (John 9) and the resurrection of Lazarus (John 11). While both these miracles (as well as the teaching regarding the good shepherd) occurred in or near Jerusalem, after this discourse about the good shepherd, because of the intense opposition of the rulers against Him, Jesus and His disciples retreated “beyond the Jordan” where John at first baptized (John 10:40).
The incident records two more “I am” statements Jesus made of Himself. Jesus said, “I am the door of the sheep” in John 10:7, and He said, “I am the good shepherd” in v. 14. Many prophecies presented the coming Messiah as a shepherd (cp. Isaiah 40:11; Ezekiel 34:23-24; 37:24; Zechariah 13:7).
In John 10:1-6 Jesus gives what John calls a “parable.” The word John used which is translated “parable” in several versions is not the same word which the Holy Spirit used for “parable” in other places, particularly in Matthew 13 where eight different parables of Jesus are recorded. The word in this text could also be translated “proverb.” However, it appears that the word “parable” does gives the meaning to the teaching in this chapter. The word “parable” suggests a side-by-side comparison which was Jesus’ unique way of teaching. He took familiar things and from them drew spiritual lessons.
We believe some commentaries confuse their readers by attempting to give two different applications to the story of the shepherd and his sheep. In vv. 1-6 they see false teachers as the thieves and robbers. They then make a second interpretation of it as Jesus offers His own explanation of a good shepherd contrasted with hirelings, thieves, and robbers. Look at vv. 1-6 as an actual description of a sheepfold, the shepherd, the sheep, and thieves and robbers who threaten the sheep. Don’t make one application of vv. 1-6 and a different application in vv. 7-15. Treat vv. 1-6 as the natural thing from which application is made in vv. 7-15.
In vv. 7-15 Jesus said, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.” Jesus is the way to salvation as He later said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father save by me” (John 14:6). Jesus is also the “good shepherd.” He leads and protects the sheep, unlike the hireling who does not own the sheep. When dangers come, as in the face of wolves, the hireling flees because he is more interested in saving himself than saving the lives of the sheep.
Verse 8 is perplexing to some: “All that come before me are thieves and robbers but the sheep did not hear them.” To them the expression “all that come before” is all inclusive with no exclusions. Thus, what about the great men who came before him: John the Baptist, Jeremiah, Elijah, and Moses? Were they all “thieves and robbers”? Of course not. Jesus spoke of John as a one of a kind in Matthew 11:11. He said Moses was one to whom the people should take heed (John 5:45-47). He commended the rest as true messengers of God. Remember the claim Jesus made: “I am the door of the sheep.” What Old Testament prophet (including John) claimed to be “the door of the sheep”? None. But were there those who claimed to be the Messiah before Jesus? This was almost certainly the case. We know there were those who claimed it after He came.. But He alone is “the door of the sheep.” All others who claim to be are “thieves and robbers.”
Jesus, as the “door,” is the only entrance to salvation. Jesus, as a “shepherd,” loves His sheep and knows each one of them. He gave His life so His sheep could be saved. Then He revealed another wonderful truth. He said, “Other sheep I have which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and they shall become one flock, one shepherd” (John 10:16).
Who are these “other sheep”? Can there be any doubt? In the limited commission Jesus commanded, “Go not into any way of the Gentiles and enter not into any city of the Samaritans: but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matthew 10:5-6). After His sacrifice for the sins of the world and before He ascended back to His Father, He gave another commission to His disciples: “Go, therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19-20). Mark records it as follows: “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved” (16:15-16). Luke added Jesus as saying that “repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name unto all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem” (Luke 24:47). Were these passages not sufficient to prove that the Gentiles are the “other sheep” Jesus said were “not of this fold,” read Ephesians 2 and Colossians 3 to further see what the Holy Spirit said.
Jesus, the “good shepherd,” knows His own and calls them by name. How comforting to the believer that as insignificant as he is, the God of this Universe is interested in me. He knows my needs, weaknesses, temptations, and trials. He seeks to protect me from dangers and harm. He even now “ever liveth to make intercession” for us (Hebrews 7:25). He desires our victory, and of that victory Peter wrote, “And when the chief Shepherd shall be manifested, ye shall receive the crown of glory that fadeth not away” (1 Peter 5:4).
Jim McDonald