Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary John 10:5

"And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers." — John 10:5 (ASV)

A pen frequently held several flocks; and when the time came to go out in the morning pasture, each shepherd separated his sheep from the others by his peculiar call. Instead of driving them, he led them so that they followed him as a unit. Wherever they went, the shepherd preceded them, guiding them to adequate pasture and guarding against possible danger. The sheep refused to follow a stranger because his voice was unfamiliar. In fact, if a stranger should use the shepherd’s call and imitate his tone, the flock would instantly detect the difference and would scatter in panic.

In view of the fact that shepherds and sheep were so common in Palestine, it seems incredible that Jesus’ metaphor was not understood. His hearers, however, failed to comprehend his meaning because of their spiritual deadness. If they would not recognize his claims, they would not accept him as a shepherd; and their assumption that they were God’s flock because they were descendants of Abraham (8:39) would eliminate the necessity of personal faith in Jesus for salvation.