A.T. Robertson Commentary John 10:7

A.T. Robertson Commentary

John 10:7

1863–1934
Southern Baptist
A.T. Robertson
A.T. Robertson

A.T. Robertson Commentary

John 10:7

1863–1934
Southern Baptist
SCRIPTURE

"Jesus therefore said unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep." — John 10:7 (ASV)

Therefore again (ουν παλιν). Jesus repeats the allegory with more detail and with more directness of application. Repeating a story is not usually an exhilarating experience.

I am the door of the sheep (εγω ειμ η θυρα των προβατων). The door for the sheep by which they enter. "He is the legitimate door of access to the spiritual αυλη, the Fold of the House of Israel, the door by which a true shepherd must enter" (Bernard). He repeats it in verse 9. This is a new idea, not in the previous story (1-5). Moffatt follows the Sahidic in accepting ο ποιμην here instead of η θυρα, clearly whimsical. Jesus simply changes the metaphor to make it plainer. They were doubtless puzzled by the meaning of the door in verse 1. Once more, this metaphor should help those who insist on the literal meaning of bread as the actual body of Christ in Mr 14:22. Jesus is not a physical "door," but he is the only way of entrance into the Kingdom of God (14:6).