John 10:6 kjv
This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.
John 10:6 nkjv
Jesus used this illustration, but they did not understand the things which He spoke to them.
John 10:6 niv
Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them.
John 10:6 esv
This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.
John 10:6 nlt
Those who heard Jesus use this illustration didn't understand what he meant,
John 10 6 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| John 10:1 | He who does not enter by the door into the sheepfold, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief... | Old Testament Typology |
| Matthew 7:15 | Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. | Warning against False Leaders |
| Acts 20:29-30 | I know that after my departing grievous wolves shall enter in among you, not sparing the flock. | Warning to Elders |
| 2 Peter 2:1-3 | But there were false prophets also among the people, as there will be false teachers among you also. | Condemnation of False Teachers |
| 1 John 4:1 | Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets... | Discernment of Spirits |
| Jeremiah 23:1-2 | Woe unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD. | Judgment on Bad Shepherds |
| Ezekiel 34:2-4 | Thus saith the Lord GOD unto the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves? should not the shepherds feed the flock? | God's Judgment on False Shepherds |
| John 10:2 | But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. | True Shepherd Identified |
| John 10:7 | Then Jesus said unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. | Jesus as the Door |
| John 10:11 | I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. | Jesus as the Good Shepherd |
| Matthew 11:29 | Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. | Jesus' Gentle Leadership |
| Galatians 1:6-9 | I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: | Warning Against Other Gospels |
| Jude 1:4 | For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation... | Ungodly Intruders |
| Revelation 2:2 | I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil... | Ephesus Commended and Warned |
| Revelation 3:15 | I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wast cold or hot. | Laodicea Rebuke |
| Isaiah 56:10-11 | His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. | Leaders as Blind Watchmen |
| Psalm 23:1 | The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. | The Lord as Shepherd |
| John 10:9 | I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. | Salvation Through Jesus |
| John 10:10 | The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. | Purpose of Jesus' Coming |
| Romans 8:31-34 | What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? | God's Defense of His Own |
| Ephesians 4:11 | And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; | God-Ordained Leaders |
John 10 verses
John 10 6 Meaning
Jesus likens those who do not enter the sheepfold by the proper gate, but climb in some other way, to thieves and robbers. This signifies those who seek to lead or gain access to God's people deceitfully or illegitimately. They lack genuine authority and have harmful intentions for the sheep.
John 10 6 Context
This verse, John 10:6, is part of Jesus' discourse on being the Good Shepherd. In the preceding verses, Jesus uses the imagery of a sheepfold, a place of safety for sheep, often enclosed by walls and guarded. He contrasts those who enter correctly with those who do not. The audience at this point are likely Jewish leaders or people familiar with the Old Testament shepherd metaphors and the temple system, which itself had its own set of "gates" and enclosures. The preceding context emphasizes the legitimate and illegitimate ways of approaching God's people, highlighting the exclusivity of Jesus' own access and role as the shepherd and the door.
John 10 6 Word Analysis
- "This figure of speech": (Greek: paroimian tauten - paroimian means parable, simile, proverb; tauten means this). Refers to the analogy of the sheepfold and the shepherd that Jesus had just introduced. It indicates that what he is saying is illustrative, not literal in every detail.
- "Jesus used": (Greek: eipen - said). Simple past tense verb indicating his declaration.
- "Them": (Greek: autois - to them). Refers to the Pharisees and other listeners present.
- "This similitude": (Greek: paroimian). Reiteration of the figurative nature of his teaching.
- "Did they understand": (Greek: synein - to understand, perceive). They did not grasp the deeper meaning of his words. This points to their spiritual blindness or refusal to accept Jesus' claims.
- "Not": (Greek: ou). Negation of their understanding.
Words-group by words-group Analysis
- "They did not understand his meaning": This phrase highlights a failure in perception, not just intellectual inability. The listeners, particularly the Pharisees, were not grasping the spiritual reality Jesus was presenting. Their worldly understanding of shepherding and leadership prevented them from seeing Jesus' divine authority and methods.
John 10 6 Bonus Section
The concept of thieves and robbers preying on sheep was a familiar threat in ancient agricultural societies. Jesus’ audience would have readily understood the danger of such individuals who were not recognized shepherds and would harm the flock. This imagery serves to powerfully contrast legitimate leadership (the shepherd entering by the gate) with illegitimate access and destructive intent. The failure of the listeners to understand points to a critical gap in their perception of Jesus’ mission and authority, setting the stage for further conflict and revelation in the chapter.
John 10 6 Commentary
Jesus employed a common analogy of the sheepfold, a protected enclosure for sheep. His listeners understood this imagery. However, they failed to grasp the deeper spiritual truth: Jesus was identifying himself as the sole, legitimate entrance to salvation and divine relationship. Those who sought to gain influence over God's people by any other means – through false teachings, self-serving ambition, or deceit – were likened to intruders. These intruders, unlike the true shepherd who enters by the gate, climb over the wall with nefarious intent. Their goal is not the well-being of the sheep, but exploitation and destruction. The verse underscores the necessity of approaching God and His flock through the rightful way, which Jesus later reveals to be Himself. The failure of the audience to understand this "figure of speech" reveals their spiritual unpreparedness or outright rejection of Jesus' unique claims as the mediator between God and humanity.