John 10:9 kjv
I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
John 10:9 nkjv
I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.
John 10:9 niv
I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture.
John 10:9 esv
I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.
John 10:9 nlt
Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures.
John 10 9 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Jn 10:7 | "Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep." | Jesus is the door to the fold. |
| Jn 14:6 | "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." | Exclusivity of Christ as the only path. |
| Acts 4:12 | "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." | Salvation only through Jesus. |
| Eph 2:18 | "For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father." | Access to God is exclusively through Christ. |
| Heb 10:19-20 | "Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;" | Jesus' body as the new way to God's presence. |
| Acts 2:21 | "And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved." | Personal appeal to Christ for salvation. |
| Rom 10:9-10 | "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." | Confession and belief for salvation. |
| Heb 5:9 | "And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;" | Christ as the source of eternal salvation. |
| Jn 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." | Christ offers abundant life. |
| Ps 23:1-2 | "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters." | Shepherd provides peace and nourishment. |
| Isa 40:11 | "He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young." | God as the caring Shepherd. |
| Rev 7:17 | "For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes." | Heavenly shepherd provides eternal nourishment. |
| Ps 91:4 | "He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler." | Divine protection and security. |
| Prov 18:10 | "The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe." | God as a secure refuge. |
| Ps 121:8 | "The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore." | God protects movement and life. |
| Eze 34:11-16 | "For thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out." | God's promise to shepherd His people. |
| 1 Pet 5:2-4 | "Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;" | Call to true shepherds (elders) of the church. |
| Heb 13:20 | "Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant," | Jesus as the Great Shepherd. |
| Mt 7:13-14 | "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." | The narrow gate (door) to life. |
| Lk 11:9-10 | "And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened." | Entrance through persistent seeking. |
| Col 2:6-7 | "As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving." | Continual life lived in Christ. |
| Jn 6:35 | "And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst." | Christ provides ultimate sustenance. |
| Rev 21:25 | "And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there." | Open access to heavenly security and life. |
John 10 verses
John 10 9 Meaning
John 10:9 presents Jesus as the exclusive and singular access point to spiritual safety, salvation, and abundant provision. He declares Himself as "the door" to the sheepfold, indicating that anyone who enters through Him will not only be eternally saved but will also experience true freedom and spiritual nourishment. This verse underscores Christ's role as the sole mediator between God and humanity, offering a path to secure life and ultimate well-being in contrast to other claims of religious authority.
John 10 9 Context
John 10:9 is part of Jesus' discourse on the Good Shepherd, which directly follows the healing of the man born blind in John 9. In the previous chapter, the Jewish religious leaders (the Pharisees) condemned the blind man for confessing Jesus as his healer and expelled him from the synagogue. Jesus’ parable in chapter 10 implicitly critiques these leaders, portraying them as "thieves and robbers" (John 10:1, 8) who sought to dominate the sheep (the people) rather than guide them to true spiritual life. He presents Himself as both the "door of the sheep" and the "Good Shepherd." The imagery draws from common shepherding practices of the time: a sheepfold, often an enclosed pen, had a single entrance, and the shepherd himself might serve as the physical "door" by lying across the opening, thereby providing security against predators and ensuring legitimate access for the sheep to pasture. This historical and cultural context highlights Jesus' direct challenge to the self-appointed spiritual authorities, emphasizing His unique and vital role as the sole, safe, and authoritative path to God's care and abundant life.
John 10 9 Word analysis
- I (ἐγώ - egō): An emphatic personal pronoun in Greek. This "I" stresses Jesus' unique person and identity, especially when combined with "am." It carries an overtone of the divine "I AM" statements of God in the Old Testament (e.g., Exod 3:14), subtly asserting His deity.
- am (εἰμι - eimi): The Greek verb "to be" in the present tense, indicative mood. Combined with egō, it forms Egō eimi, a profound declaration of self-existence and eternal being. It signifies Jesus' continuous and unchanging identity and power.
- the door (ἡ θύρα - hē thyra): The definite article "the" makes "door" specific and exclusive. There is only one such door. In ancient Israel, a door or gate represented access, protection, and authority for entry. This term is symbolic of entrance and safety into God's presence and kingdom.
- By me (δι’ ἐμοῦ - di' emou): Literally "through me." The preposition dia with the genitive case indicates the instrument or means by which something happens. It emphasizes Jesus as the indispensable channel or intermediary for salvation and spiritual life.
- if any man (ἐάν τις - ean tis): A conditional phrase. "If" introduces a condition of personal response and belief. "Any man" (or anyone) denotes inclusivity, implying the offer is available to all who choose to accept it.
- enter in (εἰσέλθῃ - eiselthē): A aorist subjunctive verb, indicating a singular, decisive act of commitment. It suggests a voluntary and conscious decision to come into the sheepfold, signifying acceptance of Christ's authority and invitation.
- he shall be saved (σωθήσεται - sōthēsetai): A future passive indicative verb. The future tense denotes certainty; the passive voice implies that salvation is a divine act performed upon the individual. It signifies rescue from spiritual danger, sin, and eternal death, leading to wholeness and reconciliation with God.
- and shall go in and out (καὶ εἰσελεύσεται καὶ ἐξελεύσεται - kai eiseleusetai kai exeleusetai): This idiomatic phrase, common in the Old Testament (e.g., Num 27:17, Dt 28:6), signifies complete freedom of movement, security, and liberty. It means not just remaining confined, but moving freely and safely, finding all necessary provisions within the shepherd's care. It speaks of a life unhindered, without fear, and full of purpose.
- and find pasture (καὶ νομὴν εὑρήσει - kai nomēn heurēsei): "Pasture" (nomē) refers to grazing grounds, indicating provision, nourishment, and sustenance. "Find" (heuresei) suggests discovery and reception of this provision. This promises spiritual fulfillment, rest, teaching, and eternal life provided by Christ, a contrast to the barrenness offered by false spiritual leaders.
John 10 9 Bonus section
The imagery of "going in and out" holds a deeper spiritual meaning beyond just physical movement. In a spiritual context, it illustrates the freedom and confident liberty believers experience in Christ. It's not a confinement within the fold, but a dynamic, active life. Believers can confidently navigate the world, engaging in its challenges and opportunities, knowing they are protected and sustained by their Shepherd, Jesus. This liberty ensures they are not bound by fear or the false restrictions imposed by worldly systems or deceptive spiritual leaders, as their true security and belonging are firmly rooted in Christ. It also suggests divine guidance and providence in every aspect of life—going out into ministry or daily tasks, and coming in for rest and refreshment.
John 10 9 Commentary
John 10:9 is a pivotal declaration of Christ's exclusive role as the sole path to salvation and spiritual abundance. By proclaiming, "I am the door," Jesus identifies Himself as the essential means of access to God's secure sheepfold. This metaphor unequivocally states that entry into a right relationship with God and into His eternal kingdom is possible only through Him. Any attempt to bypass Christ is futile and ultimately destructive, classifying others as "thieves and robbers" who aim to harm the flock rather than shepherd it. Those who enter through Jesus "shall be saved," experiencing not merely eternal deliverance from condemnation, but also a transformative rescue that grants wholeness and peace. Furthermore, this salvation leads to a life of dynamic freedom—"go in and out"—symbolizing confident interaction with the world under divine protection, alongside the consistent and abundant provision of "pasture," which signifies spiritual nourishment, guidance, and thriving in the presence of the True Shepherd. This verse solidifies Jesus' claim as the unique source of all true life, security, and fulfillment for humanity.