John 10 3

John 10:3 kjv

To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.

John 10:3 nkjv

To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

John 10:3 niv

The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

John 10:3 esv

To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

John 10:3 nlt

The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

John 10 verses

John 10 3 Meaning

John 10:3 presents a profound illustration of the intimate and authentic relationship between Jesus Christ, the True Shepherd, and His followers, the sheep. It describes how the divinely appointed gatekeeper grants Him access, His sheep recognize and respond to His voice, and He individually knows and personally guides them to spiritual nourishment and safety. This verse emphasizes personal knowledge, discerning recognition, and divinely sanctioned leadership within God's flock.

John 10 3 Context

John 10:3 is part of Jesus' discourse following the healing of the man born blind in John 9. The Pharisees, the religious leaders, had spiritually rejected the healed man and demonstrated their own spiritual blindness by refusing to acknowledge Jesus' divine authority. This led Jesus into a profound teaching about the nature of true leadership and divine relationship using the metaphor of a sheepfold, shepherd, and sheep. Verses 1-5 establish the imagery: true shepherds enter by the gate, false ones by other means. Verse 3 specifically details the true shepherd's interaction with the fold and the sheep's response. The cultural context of ancient Judea, where sheep herding was common, provides a relatable background for Jesus' audience. Shepherds genuinely knew their individual sheep, calling them by unique names or distinct sounds, and leading them to pasture and safety. A gatekeeper would typically be present at the communal sheepfold used at night, securing the flock until the individual shepherds collected their own in the morning.

John 10 3 Word analysis

• To him (αὐτῷ - autō): Refers directly to the "shepherd" mentioned in John 10:2, which Jesus implicitly identifies with Himself. This personal pronoun emphasizes that the following actions pertain to a specific, legitimate figure, contrasting with the "thieves and robbers" of verse 1.
• the gatekeeper (ὁ θυρωρός - ho thyroros): This figure facilitates access for the true shepherd. In the ancient Near East, a gatekeeper would guard the common sheepfold, ensuring no harm came to the flocks overnight. The identity is symbolic; various interpretations include God the Father (authorizing Jesus' mission), the Holy Spirit (who guides people to Jesus), or even John the Baptist (who prepared the way). The gatekeeper signifies divine authentication and permission for Jesus' entry.
• opens (ἀνοίγει - anoigei): An action verb implying authority and permission. The gatekeeper's act of opening signifies legitimate entry for the shepherd, sanctioned access. It suggests a divine process where the Father or Spirit paves the way for the Son's redemptive work.
• and the sheep (καὶ τὰ πρόβατα - kai ta probata): Refers to Jesus' followers, those chosen by God and called to Himself. They are portrayed as distinct from the world, dependent and trusting.
• hear (ἀκούει - akouei): More than just perceiving sound, this signifies a deeper spiritual recognition, understanding, and obedient response. It implies an internal drawing and discernment, enabled by God's Spirit, allowing the sheep to distinguish the true Shepherd's voice from others.
• his voice (τὴν φωνὴν αὐτοῦ - tēn phōnēn autou): This is the defining characteristic—the Shepherd's unique word, teaching, and call. It speaks of divine authority, comfort, guidance, and truth that resonates uniquely with the flock.
• and he calls (καὶ φωνεῖ - kai phōnei): Emphasizes the Shepherd's proactive and intentional outreach. It's an active, personal address, not a passive expectation. It speaks of evangelism and individual summoning.
• his own sheep (τὰ ἴδια πρόβατα - ta idia probata): Stresses proprietorship and belonging. The sheep are not generic, but uniquely His. This implies election, personal relationship, and a covenantal bond.
• by name (κατ' ὄνομα - kat' onoma): This is highly significant, indicating profound intimacy, personal knowledge, and individuality. It means Jesus knows each believer specifically, not just as part of a collective. This highlights His comprehensive care and unique relationship with every follower.
• and leads them out (καὶ ἐξάγει αὐτά - kai exagei auta): A crucial action demonstrating leadership and active guidance. This implies a transition from a place of common security (the fold) to specific, good pastures (John 10:9), or from spiritual bondage/false security to freedom and abundant life in Christ. It's a continuous, dynamic process of discipleship.

Words-group analysis:

• "To him the gatekeeper opens": This phrase highlights divine endorsement and legitimacy. Jesus doesn't force His way in, but rather is granted access, suggesting His mission is sanctioned by God the Father or the Holy Spirit.
• "the sheep hear his voice": Emphasizes discernment and responsiveness. The true flock recognizes the authentic call of their Shepherd, a spiritual ability bestowed by God, enabling them to differentiate truth from error.
• "he calls his own sheep by name": Reveals profound intimacy and individual care. It signifies that Jesus possesses a personal, relational knowledge of each of His followers, establishing a bond built on individual recognition, not just mass association.
• "and leads them out": Underscores active, protective, and purposeful guidance. The Shepherd doesn't drive but leads, implying gentle persuasion and assurance in moving the sheep from a general fold to their designated place of spiritual provision and flourishing.

John 10 3 Bonus section

The progressive sequence of actions in John 10:3 is significant: gatekeeper opens (divine initiation/validation) → sheep hear his voice (spiritual receptivity) → he calls by name (personal relationship) → leads them out (ongoing discipleship). This progression illustrates the entire salvific and sanctifying journey. The concept of "his own sheep" (τὰ ἴδια πρόβατα) highlights a pre-existing relationship or divine election, where these sheep inherently belong to the Shepherd before the specific act of calling and leading out, which reinforces the themes in John 6:37 and 6:44 about those the Father gives to Jesus. This passage indirectly critiques the self-appointed spiritual shepherds (the Pharisees) who do not enter by the proper "gate" (Jesus Himself, John 10:7,9) and whose "voice" the true sheep would not follow (John 10:5). The intimate bond formed by the Shepherd knowing "by name" transcends cultural boundaries, offering a universal image of personalized divine love and care for believers across all generations.

John 10 3 Commentary

John 10:3 unpacks the core dynamic of salvation and discipleship: the divine orchestration for the true Shepherd, Jesus, to reach His flock, and the sheep's innate spiritual capacity to respond. The "gatekeeper" (likely symbolic of divine permission from the Father or the empowering work of the Holy Spirit) validates Jesus' entrance and mission. The critical element is the voice of the Shepherd, representing Jesus' teachings, commandments, and gospel message, which His chosen sheep uniquely hear—meaning they not only perceive it but inwardly discern, trust, and respond. This spiritual hearing is a work of grace. Jesus' approach is deeply personal; He "calls His own sheep by name," underscoring an individual, intimate relationship far beyond a collective group. He knows each believer personally. His purpose in calling is to "lead them out" – from the confines or dangers of the common fold (representing the world's systems or false securities) to genuine pasture and life found in Him (John 10:9-10). This implies a transformative journey of guidance and provision under His loving leadership, distinguishing true followers from those who belong to other voices.

Practical usage:

• Discernment: How well do you distinguish Jesus' voice from worldly or misleading voices today?
• Intimacy: Do you perceive yourself as personally known and called by Jesus, not just one of many?
• Guidance: Are you actively following Jesus as He "leads you out" to new truths or areas of growth?