John 10 7

John 10:7 kjv

Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.

John 10:7 nkjv

Then Jesus said to them again, "Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.

John 10:7 niv

Therefore Jesus said again, "Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep.

John 10:7 esv

So Jesus again said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.

John 10:7 nlt

so he explained it to them: "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep.

John 10 verses

John 10 7 Meaning

In John 10:7, Jesus unequivocally declares Himself as the exclusive "door" for the sheep, signifying that He is the sole means of legitimate access, salvation, protection, and true spiritual pasturage for those who belong to God. This statement establishes His unique authority and singular role as the divine gate to abundant life and safety for His flock.

John 10 7 Context

John 10:7 is part of Jesus' "Good Shepherd" discourse, delivered shortly after He healed a man born blind in John 9. The discourse in John 10 opens with a parable (verses 1-6) contrasting the true shepherd, who enters the sheepfold by the "door," with thieves and robbers who attempt to climb over the wall. This earlier part highlights the proper way to approach the flock and the flock's recognition of their true shepherd. The Pharisees, having demonstrated spiritual blindness and hostility toward Jesus, are the implied false shepherds or "robbers" who attempt to access the flock through illegitimate means. Jesus' declaration in John 10:7, therefore, serves as a direct clarification and amplification of His earlier parabolic statement. By identifying Himself explicitly as "the door," Jesus personalizes the metaphor, shifts it from a mere way of entrance to Himself as the living entrance, and underscores His unique and indispensable role as the exclusive way to God's presence and provisions. The Jewish cultural context of sheepfolds, often a cave or enclosed pen with one opening, over which a shepherd might lie down to guard the sheep, deeply enriches the imagery of protection and sole access.

John 10 7 Word analysis

• Then: (Greek: Oun - οὖν) Functions as a conjunction, connecting this declaration to the preceding parable (John 10:1-6). It signifies a continuation of thought, a logical conclusion, or a further explanation arising from what was just said.
• Jesus: (Greek: Iēsous - Ἰησοῦς) The proper name of the Son of God, identifying the speaker and affirming His divine authority behind the declaration.
• said: (Greek: eipan - εἶπεν) A simple past tense verb, indicating a direct spoken communication.
• to them: Refers to those who were present and listening, implicitly the Pharisees and perhaps others, who had struggled to understand His initial parable.
• again: (Greek: palin - πάλιν) Emphasizes that this is a re-statement or a clearer explanation of what Jesus had alluded to previously. It signals emphasis and an attempt to overcome their lack of understanding (cf. John 10:6, "They did not understand what He was telling them").
• Most assuredly: (Greek: Amēn Amēn - Ἀμὴν ἀμὴν) Often translated as "Truly, truly" or "Verily, verily." This double "Amen" is characteristic of Jesus' solemn and weighty pronouncements, particularly in John's Gospel (25 occurrences). Originating from a Hebrew word meaning "so be it" or "it is firm," its repetition emphasizes the absolute truthfulness, certainty, and divine authority of the statement that follows. It demands attentive reception.
• I say to you: Direct, personal address that underscores Jesus' authority as the speaker and the relevance of His declaration to His listeners.
• I am: (Greek: Egō Eimi - Ἐγὼ εἰμί) This is one of the profound "I AM" statements of Jesus in John's Gospel. It echoes God's self-revelation to Moses as "I AM WHO I AM" (Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh) in Exodus 3:14, strongly implying Jesus' divine identity, pre-existence, and eternal being. It is a claim to absolute deity, power, and sufficiency, indicating His intrinsic connection to the Father and His self-existent nature.
• the door: (Greek: hē thyra - ἡ θύρα)
  • The: The definite article "the" (ἡ) is crucial. It asserts uniqueness and exclusivity. Jesus is not a door among many; He is the singular, essential, and only door.
  • Door: A potent metaphor for access, entrance, and security. In the cultural context, the shepherd might physically lie across the opening of the sheepfold at night, literally becoming "the door" that both protected the sheep from predators and thieves and controlled their exit to pasture. This image combines safety, protection, and provision.
• of the sheep: Identifies the beneficiaries of this "door." "The sheep" (Greek: tōn probatōn - τῶν προβάτων) refer to God's chosen people, His flock, those whom He tends and protects. It speaks of a covenantal relationship and special care.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "Then Jesus said to them again, 'Most assuredly, I say to you,'": This entire phrase functions as a solemn, authoritative reintroduction and emphatic affirmation. Jesus is drawing specific attention to what He is about to say, clarifying an earlier misunderstood parable and elevating the statement to a truth of paramount importance, sealed by His divine authority.
• "I am the door": This pivotal clause constitutes one of Jesus' central claims to deity and salvific exclusivity. By combining "I AM" (a divine name) with "the door" (a vital access point), Jesus identifies Himself as the exclusive, divinely ordained way to salvation, security, and eternal life for His people. It is an "inclusive exclusion"—inclusive of all who believe, but exclusive of any other means.
• "the door of the sheep": This specific connection defines the purpose and scope of Jesus' "door-ness." He is not just any door, but the very gate that allows the "sheep" (His followers) to enter into safety, fellowship with God, and life-giving pasturage (John 10:9). He secures their spiritual welfare and legitimate passage.

John 10 7 Bonus section

The metaphor of the "door" in John 10 is multifaceted. It describes Jesus as the gate:

1. For the shepherds: True spiritual leaders must enter through Him (by His authority, teaching, and example) to genuinely minister to God's people. Those who try other means are not legitimate.
2. For the sheep: Believers enter into salvation, protection, and abundant life through Him. This implies a deliberate act of faith and trust in Jesus as their exclusive pathway to the Father.
3. To freedom and provision: The door allows the sheep to go in and out and find pasture (John 10:9). This speaks not only of initial salvation but also of ongoing spiritual nourishment and liberty that Jesus provides.This statement foreshadows Jesus' role as the exclusive High Priest, who provides access to the Holy of Holies through His own sacrifice, a concept elaborated in the Book of Hebrews (Heb 10:19-20). It reinforces the absolute necessity of Christ for all spiritual blessing.

John 10 7 Commentary

John 10:7 marks a crucial point in Jesus' discourse, clarifying the intricate imagery of the shepherd and sheepfold. After using a parable, Jesus personalizes the "door" and declares His absolute, divine identification with it. This is more than a simile; it's a profound self-declaration that carries the weight of His unique divine nature ("I AM"). As "the door," Jesus is the sole entry point into God's flock, representing salvation, security, and true life. No one can legitimately enter God's kingdom or experience His abundant provisions except through Him. This challenges any human-made religious system or self-appointed leader who claims to offer another way. It highlights His protective role, where He stands as a living barrier against spiritual dangers—false teachers, predatory ideologies, and destructive forces—that would harm His sheep. Moreover, for the sheep, He is the door to verdant pastures, symbolizing spiritual sustenance and communion with God. For those in authority within the Church, He is also the door through whom they must enter to truly shepherd God's people.

• Practical Examples:
  • Someone seeking genuine relationship with God must pass through "the Door," Jesus, rather than relying on their own good works, ritualism, or intellectual understanding alone.
  • Believers find spiritual safety and provision within Christ, as a sheep finds security and sustenance through the sheepfold's entrance, guarded by the shepherd.
  • Any spiritual teaching or pathway that bypasses or diminishes Jesus as the exclusive means of salvation is by definition a "way of thieves and robbers" (cf. John 10:1), illustrating the boundaries of truth established by this verse.