A.T. Robertson Commentary John 10

Verily, Verily (Αμην, αμην). Solemn prelude by repetition as in 1:51. The words do not ever introduce a fresh topic (cf. 8:34,51,58). So in 10:7. The Pharisees had previously assumed (Vincent) they alone were the authoritative guides of the people (9:24,29). So Jesus has a direct word for them. So Jesus begins this allegory in a characteristic way. John does not use the word παραβολη, but παροιμια (verse 6), and it really is an allegory of the Good Shepherd and self-explanatory like that of the Prodigal Son in Lu 15. He first tells it in verses 1-5 and then explains and expands it in verses 7-18.

Into the fold of the sheep (εις την αυλην των προβατων). Originally αυλη (from αω, to blow) in Homer's time was just an uncovered space around the house enclosed by a wall, then a roofless enclosure in the country where flocks were herded as here and verse 16. It later came to mean the house itself or palace (Matthew 26:3,58, etc.). In the papyri it means the court attached to the house.

Climbeth up (αναβαινων). Present active participle of αναβαινω, to go up. One who goes up, not by the door, has to climb up over the wall.

Some other way (αλλαχοθεν). Rare word for old αλλοθεν, but in 4Macc. 1:7 and in a papyrus. Only here in N.T.

The same (εκεινος). "That one" just described.

Is a thief and a robber (κλεπτης εστιν κα ληιστης). Both old and common words (from κλεπτω, to steal, ληιζομα, to plunder). The distinction is preserved in the N.T. as here. Judas was a κλεπτης (John 12:6), Barabbas a robber (18:40) like the two robbers (Matthew 27:38,44) crucified with Jesus erroneously termed thieves like "the thief on the cross" by most people. See Mr 11:17. Here the man jumping over the wall comes to steal and to do it by violence like a bandit. He is both thief and robber.

The shepherd of the sheep (ποιμην εστιν των προβατων). No article with ποιμην, "a shepherd to the sheep." He comes in by the door with the sheep whom he leads. Old word is ποιμην, root meaning to protect. Jesus applies it to himself in verse 16 and implies it here. It is used of Christ in 1 Peter 2:25; Hebrews 13:20. Paul applies it to ministers in Eph 4:11. Jesus uses the verb ποιμαινω, to shepherd, to Peter (John 21:16) and Peter uses it to other preachers (1 Peter 5:2) and Paul uses it for bishops (elders) in Ac 20:28. Our word pastor is simply Latin for shepherd. Christ is drawing a sharp contrast after the conduct of the Pharisees towards the blind man between himself and them.

To him (τουτω). "To this one," the shepherd, in dative case.

The porter (ο θυρωρος). Old word for doorkeeper (θυρα, door, ωρα, care, carer for the door). Used for man (John 10:3) or woman (John 18:16ff.), only N.T. examples. The porter has charge of the sheep in the fold at night and opens the door in the morning for the shepherd. It is not certain that Jesus meant this detail to have a special application. The Holy Spirit, of course, does open the door of our hearts for Jesus through various agencies.

Hear his voice (της φωνης αυτου ακουε). Hear and heed (verse 27). Note genitive case φωνης .

By name (κατ' ονομα). Several flocks might be herded in the same fold overnight. But the shepherd knows his own (τα ιδια) sheep (verse 27) and calls their names. "It is still common for Eastern shepherds to give particular names to their sheep" (Bernard).

And leadeth them out (κα εξαγε αυτα). Old and common verb, present active indicative. The sheep follow readily (verse 27) because they know their own shepherd's voice and his name for each of them and because he has led them out before. They love and trust their shepherd.

When he hath put forth all his own (οταν τα ιδια παντα εκβαλη). Indefinite temporal clause with οταν and the second aorist (effective) active subjunctive of εκβαλλω. No need of the futurum exactum idea, simply, "when he leads out all his own sheep." They are all out of the fold. He overlooks none. Εκβαλλω does mean "thrust out" if a reluctant sheep wishes to linger too long.

He goeth before them (εμπροσθεν αυτων πορευετα). Staff in hand he leads the way in front of the flock and they follow (ακολουθε) him. What a lesson for pastors who seek to drive the church like cattle and fail. The true pastor leads in love, in words, in deeds.

A stranger (αλλοτριω). Literally, "One belonging to another" (from αλλος, opposed to ιδιος). A shepherd of another flock, it may be, not necessarily the thief and robber of verse 1. Note associative instrumental case after ακολουθησουσιν (future active indicative of ακολουθεω, verse 4). Note the strong double negative ου μη here with the future indicative, though usually with the aorist subjunctive (Aleph L W have it here). They simply will not follow such a man or woman, these well-trained sheep will not.

But will flee from him (αλλα φευξοντα απ' αυτου). Future middle of φευγω and ablative case with απο. They will flee as if from a wolf or from the plague. Alas and alas, if only our modern pastors had the sheep (old and young) so trained that they would run away from and not run after the strange voices that call them to false philosophy, false psychology, false ethics, false religion, false life.