John Calvin Commentary John 10:27

"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:" — John 10:27 (ASV)

My sheep hear my voice. He proves by an argument from opposites that they are not sheep, because they do not obey the Gospel.

For God effectually calls all whom He has elected, so that the sheep of Christ are proved by their faith.

Indeed, the reason the name sheep is applied to believers is that they surrender themselves to God to be governed by the hand of the Chief Shepherd, and, laying aside the fierceness of their nature, become mild and teachable.

It is no small consolation to faithful teachers that, though the greater part of the world does not listen to Christ, yet He has His sheep whom He knows, and by whom He is also known.

Let them do their utmost to bring the whole world into the fold of Christ; but when they do not succeed according to their wish, let them be satisfied with this single consideration: that those who are sheep will be gathered through their ministry.

The rest has already been explained.