John 10:1-6 is a parable about the Good Shepherd. Jesus is the Good Shepherd. The interpretation of the parable is given to us by Jesus Himself in John 10:7-16. The “shepherd of the sheep” in this illustration is Jesus Christ (John 10:11) and any other person is a robber or thief (John 10:7-8). He is the door and the shepherd (John 10:7, 11); Jesus is the way to eternal life and He is the One who keeps us. Jesus is the Good Shepherd for two more reasons. First, He was the predicted and promised Messiah and King (Isaiah 7:14; 11:1; 9:6; Daniel 9:25-27; Luke 1:32). No one else qualifies. No one else is the true Messiah or future King of the entire world.
Second, Jesus is referred to as a shepherd throughout the New Testament (Matthew 2:6; Hebrews 13:20-21; 1 Peter 2:25; 5:4; Revelation 7:17). As we have already said, Jesus says that He is the Good Shepherd (John 10:11). The sheep are those who believe in Jesus Christ (John 10:9, 16, 27-28) and as a result know the voice of the true shepherd and will not follow another (John 10:27-28). Those who follow anyone other than Jesus Christ are not the sheep in this parable (John 10:26). Those who truly belong to God will follow Jesus Christ and no other (John 10:14). Jesus is the Good Shepherd because He was willing to and did die for all those who believe in Him – His sheep (John 10:17-18). The message of this parable is that Jesus is the true shepherd. Jesus is the Good Shepherd who was willing to die and did die for those who put their faith in Him. Any other person who claims to be the true shepherd is a robber or thief. he or she is a false shepherd. This was a powerful message to the Jewish religious leaders who considered themselves to be the true shepherds of God’s flock. This is a wonderful message for anyone who seeks peace with God and security in eternity. Jesus is the Door to eternal salvation and Jesus is the Good Shepherd who cares, watches, and protects those who believe in Him.
Answers & Comments
John 10:1-6 is a parable about the Good Shepherd. Jesus is the Good Shepherd. The interpretation of the parable is given to us by Jesus Himself in John 10:7-16. The “shepherd of the sheep” in this illustration is Jesus Christ (John 10:11) and any other person is a robber or thief (John 10:7-8). He is the door and the shepherd (John 10:7, 11); Jesus is the way to eternal life and He is the One who keeps us. Jesus is the Good Shepherd for two more reasons. First, He was the predicted and promised Messiah and King (Isaiah 7:14; 11:1; 9:6; Daniel 9:25-27; Luke 1:32). No one else qualifies. No one else is the true Messiah or future King of the entire world.
Second, Jesus is referred to as a shepherd throughout the New Testament (Matthew 2:6; Hebrews 13:20-21; 1 Peter 2:25; 5:4; Revelation 7:17). As we have already said, Jesus says that He is the Good Shepherd (John 10:11). The sheep are those who believe in Jesus Christ (John 10:9, 16, 27-28) and as a result know the voice of the true shepherd and will not follow another (John 10:27-28). Those who follow anyone other than Jesus Christ are not the sheep in this parable (John 10:26). Those who truly belong to God will follow Jesus Christ and no other (John 10:14). Jesus is the Good Shepherd because He was willing to and did die for all those who believe in Him – His sheep (John 10:17-18). The message of this parable is that Jesus is the true shepherd. Jesus is the Good Shepherd who was willing to die and did die for those who put their faith in Him. Any other person who claims to be the true shepherd is a robber or thief. he or she is a false shepherd. This was a powerful message to the Jewish religious leaders who considered themselves to be the true shepherds of God’s flock. This is a wonderful message for anyone who seeks peace with God and security in eternity. Jesus is the Door to eternal salvation and Jesus is the Good Shepherd who cares, watches, and protects those who believe in Him.