John 10

Good Shepherd

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. John 10:1–6

In this parable Jesus is the true shepherd who comes in the right way, knows each sheep by name, and leads them. His sheep know His voice and will not follow strangers.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• fulfils Ezekiel 34:23 — "I will set up one shepherd over them ... he shall feed them."
• alludes to Psalm 23:1 — "The LORD is my shepherd."

Door of the Sheep

The Door — the only entrance to salvation

Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. John 10:7–9

Jesus is the only way into God's fold. Whoever enters through Him is saved and finds rest and nourishment.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same title in John 14:6 — "I am the way ... no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."
• the same title in 2 Nephi 9:41 — "The keeper of the gate is the Holy One of Israel; and he employeth no servant there."

Jesus

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. John 10:10

The thief comes to take life; Jesus came to give life, full and overflowing.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

Good Shepherd

Good Shepherd — the One who guards, feeds, and dies for His flock

I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. John 10:11

Unlike a hired hand who runs from the wolf, the Good Shepherd gives His own life to save the sheep, a clear foretelling of His Atonement.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• fulfils Isaiah 40:11 — "He shall feed his flock like a shepherd."
• the same title in Alma 5:38 — "The good shepherd doth call you; yea, and in his own name he doth call you."
• the same title in Hebrews 13:20 — "That great shepherd of the sheep."

Atonement

I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. John 10:14–15

Jesus knows each of His sheep as closely as He and the Father know each other, and He will lay down His life for them.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

Appearance to the Nephites

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. John 10:16

The Savior Himself explained to the Nephites that they were these "other sheep", and that He visited them and they heard His voice. He also spoke of still other lost sheep of Israel.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• interpreted by 3 Nephi 15:21 — "Ye are they of whom I said: Other sheep I have which are not of this fold."
• interpreted by 3 Nephi 16:1-3 — He has still other sheep in other lands whom He will visit.
• fulfils Ezekiel 37:24 — "They all shall have one shepherd."

Resurrection

Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. John 10:17–18

No one could take Jesus' life; He gave it freely. Because His Father was immortal, He had power over death to lay down His life and take it up again in the Resurrection.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same event in 2 Nephi 2:8 — Lehi: the Messiah "layeth down his life according to the flesh, and taketh it again by the power of the Spirit".
• fulfilled by Matthew 28:6 — "He is not here: for he is risen, as he said."

Jesus

There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings. John 10:19–21

The crowd splits again over Jesus. Some point to the man born blind as proof no devil could be at work in Him.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• the same event in John 9:6-7 — The healing of the man born blind.

Jesus

And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter. John 10:22–23

At the winter Feast of Dedication, which celebrated the cleansing and rededication of the temple, the Lord of the temple walks in its courts.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

Christ

Christ — Greek for Messiah, "the Anointed One"

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. John 10:24–25

Pressed to say plainly whether He is the Christ, Jesus points to His works done in His Father's name. The evidence has been in front of them all along.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

Good Shepherd

But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. John 10:26–28

Christ's sheep recognize His voice and follow. He gives them eternal life, and no one can snatch them from His hand.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same title in Mosiah 26:21 — "He that will hear my voice shall be my sheep."

Son of God

My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. John 10:29–30

The sheep are held safe in the Son's hand and in the Father's hand. Father and Son are two beings perfectly one in purpose, the same oneness Jesus later prays His disciples will share.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• interpreted by John 17:21-22 — "That they may be one, even as we are one": a oneness the disciples can share, not one being.
• the same title in 3 Nephi 11:27 — "The Father, and I, and the Holy Ghost are one."

Jesus

Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him. John 10:31–33

His enemies again reach for stones. Even their accusation witnesses what He claimed: that He is divine.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

Son of God

Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods? John 10:34–36

Scripture itself calls those who received God's word "gods". How then can it be blasphemy for the One the Father set apart and sent into the world to call Himself the Son of God?

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• quotes Psalm 82:6 — "I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High."

Son of God

If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. John 10:37–38

Even those who will not believe His words can look at His works and learn that the Father is in the Son and the Son in the Father.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

Jesus

Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand, John 10:39–42

Jesus returns to where John had baptized. People remember John's testimony, see that everything he said about Jesus was true, and believe.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• fulfils John 1:29 — John's witness: "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world."