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John 10: The Good Shepherd
What is the thief and robber after? Why?
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John 10:1 “Without a doubt,” Jesus said, “the man who avoids the gate to the sheep pen, but slips in some other way, is a thief and a robber.
King James
John 10:1 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.
How do sheep know the shepherd’s voice?
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John 10:2–4 “The shepherd of the sheep always enters through the gate. He is the one the gatekeeper welcomes. The sheep recognize his voice as he calls them by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his sheep, he goes before them. They follow him because they know his voice.”
King James
John 10:2–4 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
How are people like sheep, scattered by the sound of strange voices?
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John 10:5 “They will not follow a stranger but will scatter before the sound of strange voices.”
King James
John 10:5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.
If people didn’t understand Jesus’ analogy, of what value was it?
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John 10:6–7 Jesus used this analogy, but the people did not understand what he was saying, so he explained what he meant. “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep.”
King James
John 10:6–7 This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them. Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.
How can Jesus be both the door to the sheep pen and also the shepherd?
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John 10:6–11 Jesus used this analogy, but the people did not understand what he was saying, so he explained what he meant. “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. Those who came by another way were thieves and robbers, but my sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate through which people may be saved from destruction, where they can freely come and go and be satisfied. The thief comes with one purpose: to steal, kill, and destroy. I came to bring the fullness of life. I am the good shepherd and will sacrifice my life for the sake of the sheep.”
King James
John 10:6–11 This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them. Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. 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. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
Who are the thieves and robbers? Why do Jesus’ sheep not listen to them? Who does listen?
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John 10:8 Those who came by another way were thieves and robbers, but my sheep did not listen to them.
10:10 “The thief comes with one purpose: to steal, kill, and destroy. I came to bring the fullness of life.”
King James
John 10:8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.
10:10 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.
What does it mean when the thieves do not enter through the gate? How do they get in?
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John 10:8–9 “Those who came by another way were thieves and robbers, but my sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate through which people may be saved from destruction, where they can freely come and go and be satisfied.”
King James
John 10:8–9 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
Who is the thief who comes to steal, kill, and destroy? How is Jesus’ purpose different?
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John 10:10–11 “The thief comes with one purpose: to steal, kill, and destroy. I came to bring the fullness of life. I am the good shepherd and will sacrifice my life for the sake of the sheep.”
1 Peter 5:8 Watch out! Your adversary Satan is roaming the earth like a roaring lion, looking for those he might devour.
King James
John 10:10–11 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. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
How does the hired hand differ from the thief? What does the hired hand have in common with the good shepherd?
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John 10:12–13 “When the hired hand sees a wolf coming, he will abandon the sheep, because he is not their shepherd and the sheep do not belong to him. So the wolf will attack and scatter the flock. The man will flee because he works for the money and cares nothing for the sheep.”
King James
John 10:12–13 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. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
What truths support the fact that Jesus is the good shepherd, caring for his sheep?
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John 10:14–15 “I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep and my sheep know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. I will sacrifice my life for the sake of my sheep.
King James
John 10:14–15 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
Who are the sheep of another fold, others who will hear Jesus’ voice?
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John 10:16 “In another fold, I have more sheep and must also bring them. They will hear my voice, and there will be one flock with one shepherd.”
King James
John 10:16 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.
Why was Jesus taking his life not an act of suicide?
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John 10:17–18 “The Father loves me because I will sacrifice my life and take it back again. No one will take my life from me. I choose to give it up. I have the power to lay it down and to take it up again, because this is what my Father has commanded.”
King James
John 10:17–18 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. 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.
What divided Jewish opinion about Jesus? Why did some say he was crazy while other disagreed?
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John 10:19–21 After hearing these words, the Jewish leaders were divided in their opinions about Jesus. Many said, “An evil spirit has made him crazy. You should pay no attention to him.” Others disagreed, saying, “Can an evil spirit open blind eyes? These are not the words of someone possessed.”
King James
John 10:19–21 There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings. And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him? Others said, These are not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind?
Of what importance is Hanukkah? Why?
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John 10:22–23 At the time of Hanukkah, the Feast of Dedication, in the winter, Jesus was in the Temple, walking in the area called Solomon’s Porch.
King James
John 10:22–23 And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter. And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon’s porch.
If the miracles and Jesus’ words were sufficient to reveal his identity, why did people ask for further proof?
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John 10:24–26 Some of the Jewish leaders gathered around him and said, “How long are you going to keep us wondering? If you really are the Messiah, then say so.”
“I have already told you,” Jesus said, “but you did not believe me. The miracles I do in my Father’s name prove who I am, but you do not believe, because you are not my sheep.”
King James
John 10:24–26 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. 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. But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.
Is it possible to belong to Jesus and not recognize his voice? Why?
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John 10:27 “My sheep recognize my voice. I know them, and they follow me.”
King James
John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
Is it possible to not belong to Jesus and recognize his voice? Why?
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John 10:27 “My sheep recognize my voice. I know them, and they follow me.”
King James
John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
If no thief can steal the sheep who belong to Jesus, what makes Satan’s effort significant?
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John 10:27–29 “My sheep recognize my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them everlasting life, so they will never die. No thief can take them from me, because my Father has placed them in my care. He is more powerful than anyone else, so no one can snatch them from his protection.”
King James
John 10:27–29 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.
In what ways is the Son one with the Father?
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John 10:30 “My Father and I are one.”
King James
John 10:30 I and my Father are one.
Why did the Jews pick up stones? Did they throw them? Why?
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John 10:30–33 “My Father and I are one.”
The Jews picked up stones to throw at him.
Jesus said, “Under the authority of my Father, I have done many good works. For which of those do you want to stone me?”
They said, “We are not stoning you for any good work, but for blasphemy, because you are just a man but claim to be God.”
King James
John 10:30–33 I and my Father are one. Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him. Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me? 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.
Why does the Bible say, “You are gods”? How does the life of Christ help our understanding?
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Psalm 82:6 “You are gods,” I say, “children of the Most High.”
John 10:34–36 “Don’t your own scriptures say, You are gods? We know the scripture is as true now as it was then. If God called those people gods, why do you call it blasphemy when the one whom the Father has anointed and sent into the world says, ‘I am the Son of God’?”
King James
Psalm 82:6 I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.
John 10:34–36 Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods? If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken; 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?
What arguments did Jesus give to validate is relationship with the Father? How well was his message received?
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John 10:37–39 “If I am not doing the works of my Father, then don’t believe me. But if I am, and you cannot believe me, then believe the miracles and know that the Father is in me and I am in him.”
Once again, they tried to seize him, but he escaped from their grasp.
King James
John 10:37–39 If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. 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. Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand,
Where do you think John first baptized? Why that location and not somewhere else?
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John 10:40–42 He went beyond the Jordan River and stayed near the place where John had first baptized. People came to him, saying, “John did not do any miracles, but everything John said about this man is true.” Many from that area believed Jesus was the Messiah.
King James
John 10:40–42 He went beyond the Jordan River and stayed near the place where John had first baptized. People came to him, saying, “John did not do any miracles, but everything John said about this man is true.” Many from that area believed Jesus was the Messiah.
Why did so many believe Jesus was the Messiah?
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John 10:40–42 He went beyond the Jordan River and stayed near the place where John had first baptized. People came to him, saying, “John did not do any miracles, but everything John said about this man is true.” Many from that area believed Jesus was the Messiah.
King James
John 10:40–42 He went beyond the Jordan River and stayed near the place where John had first baptized. People came to him, saying, “John did not do any miracles, but everything John said about this man is true.” Many from that area believed Jesus was the Messiah.