John 10:2 kjv
But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
John 10:2 nkjv
But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
John 10:2 niv
The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.
John 10:2 esv
But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
John 10:2 nlt
But the one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.
John 10 2 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Jn 10:1 | "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door... is a thief and a robber." | Contrasts with the illegitimate entry. |
| Jn 10:7 | "So Jesus again said to them, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.'" | Jesus defines Himself as the door. |
| Jn 10:9 | "I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved..." | Entry through Jesus leads to salvation. |
| Eze 34:2 | "Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy, and say to them, 'Thus says the Lord God to the shepherds: Ah, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep?'" | Condemns false shepherds, establishes shepherd's duty. |
| Eze 34:23 | "And I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he shall feed them..." | Prophecy of the one true Shepherd (Messiah). |
| Jer 23:1 | "'Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!' declares the Lord." | Warns against leaders who harm the flock. |
| Zech 11:16-17 | "For behold, I am raising up in the land a shepherd who will not care for those that are dwindling, or seek the scattered... Woe to my worthless shepherd..." | Prophecy of the worthless shepherd. |
| Ps 23:1 | "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." | God/Lord as the caring Shepherd. |
| Ps 78:70-71 | "He chose David his servant and took him from the sheepfolds; from following the nursing ewes he brought him to shepherd Jacob his people..." | God appoints shepherds to lead His people. |
| Ps 95:7 | "For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand." | Highlights God's ownership of the sheep. |
| Isa 40:11 | "He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms..." | Describes the gentle and careful Shepherd. |
| Matt 9:36 | "When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." | Shows the dire need for a true shepherd. |
| Matt 7:15 | "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves." | Warns against deceptive intruders. |
| 2 Tim 2:15 | "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed..." | Emphasizes proper qualifications and integrity for those who serve. |
| Heb 13:20 | "Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep..." | Titles Jesus as the Great Shepherd. |
| 1 Pet 2:25 | "For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls." | Jesus as the ultimate Shepherd of souls. |
| 1 Pet 5:4 | "And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory." | Jesus as the Chief Shepherd, future reward for faithful undershepherds. |
| Lk 12:42-44 | "And the Lord said, 'Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom his master will set over his household...'" | Parable illustrating a true servant's faithfulness. |
| Jn 21:15-17 | "Jesus said to Simon Peter, 'Simon, son of John, do you love me?' ... 'Feed my lambs'... 'Tend my sheep'." | Call for Peter, and by extension, all spiritual leaders, to shepherd God's flock. |
| Acts 20:28-29 | "Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood... after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you..." | Instructs elders to shepherd God's church and warns of dangers from within and without. |
| Col 2:18-19 | "...not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together... grows with a growth that is from God." | Importance of holding fast to Christ, the Head (Shepherd), for spiritual growth. |
| Gal 1:8-9 | "But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed." | Warns against those who come through unauthorized "doors" with false teachings. |
John 10 verses
John 10 2 Meaning
John 10:2 states that the legitimate shepherd, unlike the thief or robber, enters the sheepfold through the authorized entry point, which is "the door." This signifies proper authority, genuine concern for the flock, and recognition by the gatekeeper, establishing a clear contrast between true, divinely appointed leadership and false, unauthorized intrusion. The verse sets the stage for Jesus to reveal Himself as both the Good Shepherd and the Door, embodying true access to God's flock.
John 10 2 Context
John chapter 10 is a pivotal discourse by Jesus, often referred to as the "Good Shepherd" discourse. It directly follows chapter 9, where Jesus miraculously healed a man born blind, and the religious leaders (Pharisees) expelled him from the synagogue. These same leaders demonstrated spiritual blindness and condemned Jesus. Therefore, the sheepfold parable and the true/false shepherd contrast serve as a direct indictment of the corrupt and self-serving spiritual leadership of Israel. Jesus presents Himself as the rightful, compassionate leader who cares for His sheep, distinguishing Himself from those who exploit or mislead the flock. The historical context includes Jewish communities organized around synagogue life, with religious leaders having significant authority, and an agrarian society familiar with shepherding practices.
John 10 2 Word analysis
But he who enters: The Greek phrase is
ὁ εἰσερχόμενος(ho eiserchomenos), meaning "the one entering." This particial phrase highlights a deliberate action of entrance. It implies legitimate and proper access, contrasting sharply with the secretive or forceful intrusion implied for the "thief and robber" in the preceding verse. The focus is on how one enters, establishing a critical distinction in legitimacy and motive.by the door:
διὰ τῆς θύρας(dia tēs thyras). The prepositionδιὰ(dia) means "through" or "by means of." The "door" (θύρα, thyra) is a crucial symbol. In ancient sheepfolds, there was often only one entrance, usually guarded by a gatekeeper. To enter by this door signifies an authorized, recognized, and appropriate approach, implying the approval of the gatekeeper or the master of the fold. This stands for the correct, divinely ordained pathway to leadership and care for God's people.is the shepherd:
ποιμήν ἐστιν(poimēn estin). The nounποιμήν(poimēn) literally means "shepherd." It's not just a person, but an office, a role involving care, guidance, protection, and feeding of sheep. The "is" (ἐστιν, estin) affirms this identity as belonging to the one who enters legitimately. It positions the person as having rightful ownership and responsibility over the flock, caring for them rather than preying upon them.of the sheep:
τῶν προβάτων(tōn probatōn). The genitive plural ofπρόβατον(provaton), meaning "sheep." This identifies the beneficiaries of the shepherd's care. The shepherd's entire purpose revolves around these sheep. In biblical metaphor, "sheep" represent God's people, vulnerable and in need of guidance and protection. This phrase underscores the shepherd's orientation and loyalty to the flock, in direct opposition to those who seek personal gain at the expense of the sheep.
Words-Group Analysis:
He who enters by the door: This phrase combines the legitimacy of entry with the rightful person. It emphasizes that proper procedure and authorization are indicators of a true shepherd. It implicitly links the means of access to the integrity of the individual.
is the shepherd of the sheep: This asserts the shepherd's authentic role and specific object of care. The true shepherd is defined by his relationship with and responsibility for the sheep, not by self-proclaimed authority or selfish motives. The nature of the entrance is thus inextricably linked to the nature of the relationship the entering person has with the sheep.
John 10 2 Bonus section
The "door" in ancient sheepfolds sometimes simply referred to the shepherd himself lying across the entrance at night, serving as the literal barrier and protector. This rich cultural detail would resonate strongly with the original audience and anticipates Jesus' declaration in John 10:7, "I am the door," solidifying His identity as both the Shepherd and the means of secure access. This dual identity implies that there is no other legitimate way to enter God's flock, nor any other genuine care-taker for them. This verse thus lays the groundwork for understanding Jesus' exclusive authority and safeguarding role. The gatekeeper, implied in the analogy of entering "by the door," often represents God the Father, who authorizes true shepherds.
John 10 2 Commentary
John 10:2 offers the initial identifier of a true shepherd, foundational to Jesus' discourse. It posits a divinely ordered structure for spiritual leadership: access to God's flock is not achieved through illicit means (like a thief or robber scaling walls in 10:1), but through the authorized "door." This "door" signifies legitimate credentials and proper alignment with God's will. For the original Jewish audience, this subtly challenged the Pharisees who claimed spiritual authority yet were blind to the true Shepherd. The legitimate shepherd’s motive is care for the sheep, demonstrating their right to lead not by coercion or self-interest, but by loving provision and protection. This verse implicitly points to Jesus as the quintessential example, not only embodying the true Shepherd but also later declaring Himself as the "door," thereby consolidating legitimate access to the flock through Himself. It establishes that authenticity in spiritual leadership is validated by both the method of entry and the heart for the flock, preparing for the fuller revelation of the Good Shepherd.