John 10:2
New International Version
The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.

New Living Translation
But the one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.

English Standard Version
But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

Berean Standard Bible
But the one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.

Berean Literal Bible
But the one entering in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

King James Bible
But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

New King James Version
But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

New American Standard Bible
But the one who enters by the door is a shepherd of the sheep.

NASB 1995
“But he who enters by the door is a shepherd of the sheep.

NASB 1977
“But he who enters by the door is a shepherd of the sheep.

Legacy Standard Bible
But he who enters by the door is a shepherd of the sheep.

Amplified Bible
But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep [the protector and provider].

Christian Standard Bible
The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The one who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

American Standard Version
But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

English Revised Version
But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
But the one who enters through the gate is the shepherd.

Good News Translation
The man who goes in through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.

International Standard Version
The one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.

Majority Standard Bible
But the one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.

NET Bible
The one who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

New Heart English Bible
But one who enters in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

Webster's Bible Translation
But he that entereth by the door, is the shepherd of the sheep.

Weymouth New Testament
But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

World English Bible
But one who enters in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and he who is entering through the door is shepherd of the sheep;

Berean Literal Bible
But the one entering in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

Young's Literal Translation
and he who is entering through the door is shepherd of the sheep;

Smith's Literal Translation
And he coming in through the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But he who enters through the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

New American Bible
But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.

New Revised Standard Version
The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But he who enters by the door, is the shepherd of the sheep.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“He who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the flock;”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
But he that enters through the door, is the shepherd of the sheep.

Godbey New Testament
And the one coming in through the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

Haweis New Testament
He that entereth by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

Mace New Testament
but he that enters in by the door, is the pastor of the sheep.

Weymouth New Testament
But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

Worrell New Testament
But he that enters through the door is shepherd of the sheep.

Worsley New Testament
But he that cometh in by the door, is the shepherd of the sheep.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jesus the Good Shepherd
1“Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever does not enter the sheepfold by the gate, but climbs in some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2But the one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen for his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.…

Cross References
John 10:11
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.

John 10:14
I am the good shepherd. I know My sheep and My sheep know Me,

John 10:27
My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me.

John 14:6
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

John 1:1-3
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. / He was with God in the beginning. / Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made.

John 1:29
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

John 3:16
For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

John 6:35
Jesus answered, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never hunger, and whoever believes in Me will never thirst.

John 8:12
Once again, Jesus spoke to the people and said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John 15:1-5
“I am the true vine, and My Father is the keeper of the vineyard. / He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, and every branch that does bear fruit, He prunes to make it even more fruitful. / You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. ...

Matthew 7:13-14
Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. / But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Matthew 25:31-34
When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, He will sit on His glorious throne. / All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate the people one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. / He will place the sheep on His right and the goats on His left. ...

Luke 15:4-7
“What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the pasture and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? / And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders, / comes home, and calls together his friends and neighbors to tell them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my lost sheep!’ ...

Hebrews 13:20
Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep,

1 Peter 5:4
And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.


Treasury of Scripture

But he that enters in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

he that.

John 10:7,9
Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep…

Acts 20:28
Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

1 Timothy 3:2-7
A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; …

the shepherd.

John 10:11,12,14
I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep…

Psalm 23:1
A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

Psalm 80:1
To the chief Musician upon ShoshannimEduth, A Psalm of Asaph. Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; thou that dwellest between the cherubims, shine forth.

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Door Entereth Entering Enters Gate Goes Keeper Sheep Shepherd
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Door Entereth Entering Enters Gate Goes Keeper Sheep Shepherd
John 10
1. Jesus is the door, and the good shepherd.
19. Diverse opinions of him.
23. He proves by his works that he is Jesus the Son of God;
31. escapes the Jews;
39. and goes again beyond Jordan, where many believe on him.














But the one who enters
This phrase introduces a contrast to the previous verse, where Jesus speaks of those who do not enter by the gate. The Greek word for "enters" is "εἰσέρχεται" (eiserchomai), which implies a legitimate and rightful entry. In the context of shepherding, this signifies the proper and authorized approach, emphasizing the authenticity and authority of the true shepherd. Historically, shepherds were known to enter sheepfolds through the designated entrance, symbolizing their rightful role and responsibility.

by the gate
The "gate" (Greek: "θύρα," thyra) is a critical symbol in this passage. It represents the legitimate means of access to the sheep, contrasting with those who climb in by other ways. In the broader scriptural context, Jesus later identifies Himself as the "gate" (John 10:7), indicating that He is the legitimate way to salvation and relationship with God. The gate serves as a metaphor for divine order and the proper way to approach God's people.

is the shepherd
The term "shepherd" (Greek: "ποιμήν," poimēn) is rich with biblical significance. Shepherds were common in ancient Israel, and their role was to guide, protect, and care for the sheep. In the Old Testament, God is often depicted as the Shepherd of Israel (e.g., Psalm 23:1, Ezekiel 34:11-16). By using this term, Jesus aligns Himself with the divine role of caring for His people, emphasizing His leadership, guidance, and sacrificial love.

of the sheep
The "sheep" (Greek: "πρόβατα," probata) symbolize the people of God. Sheep are known for their need for guidance and protection, making them an apt metaphor for believers who rely on the Good Shepherd. In the historical context, sheep were valuable assets, and their well-being was of utmost importance to the shepherd. This imagery underscores the intimate relationship between Jesus and His followers, highlighting His commitment to their safety and spiritual nourishment.

(2) But he that entereth in by the door.--See Notes on John 10:7-9.

Is the shepherd of the sheep.--Better, is a shepherd of the sheep. The word here (comp. John 10:12) simply characterises him that entereth by the door as a shepherd, in opposition to the robber who climbeth over the fence.

-2John 10:16 of this chapter finds the commencement of its fulfilment in this mission. The appointment of a new body of disciples, whose very number is symbolical of a wider work, was the first step in the bringing in of the "other sheep." The Twelve answered to the number of the tribes of Israel; but the Seventy represent the nations of the world. The directions for this work to each body are nearly identical, but the restrictions laid upon the Twelve are not laid upon the Seventy.

Verse 2. - But he that enters in by the door is a shepherd of the sheep. Let him be who he may, Pharisee or priest, prophet or king, pastor or evangelist, unless he approach the sheep by the right "way" he demeans and condemns himself. If he come by the door into the fold, he may be so far presumably a shepherd. One fold might contain several flocks, and a shepherd might lead these flocks into different enclosures according to his wisdom and care for his sheep. Neander, Godet, and Watkins think it possible that the whole imagery may have been borrowed from the eye. The shepherds towards evening were probably gathering their scattered flocks, according to Oriental custom, into their well-known enclosures, and Jesus with his audience might have seen them doing it if they gazed out from the courts of the temple over the neighboring hills (see also Thomson, 'The Land and the Book,' 1:301, a passage which provides an admirable commentary on this parable). There is no absolute need that the customary and well-known habit of the country-side should have been visible at the moment. The abundantly attested practice furnished to his hearers all needful corroboration. The deeper significance of the passage lies in the prophetic symbolism of Jeremiah 23:1-4; Isaiah 40:11; Psalm 23:1-3; Psalm 78:52; Numbers 27:17; Ezekiel 34:23, 31; Ezekiel 37:24. Jehovah was the Shepherd of Israel (Psalm 80:1), and he would appoint once more in their Messiah-King a David, who should be his gracious Representative and Agent. All these representations were gathered up in Christ's wonderful parable of the lost sheep (Luke 15:3-7). Thoma endeavors to credit the author of the Gospel with this ideal picture of the contrast between the true and false shepherd.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
But
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

the [one who]
(ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

enters
εἰσερχόμενος (eiserchomenos)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1525: To go in, come in, enter. From eis and erchomai; to enter.

by
διὰ (dia)
Preposition
Strong's 1223: A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.

the
τῆς (tēs)
Article - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

gate
θύρας (thyras)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 2374: (a) a door, (b) met: an opportunity. Apparently a primary word; a portal or entrance.

is
ἐστιν (estin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

[the] shepherd
ποιμήν (poimēn)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4166: A shepherd; hence met: of the feeder, protector, and ruler of a flock of men. Of uncertain affinity; a shepherd.

of the
τῶν (tōn)
Article - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

sheep.
προβάτων (probatōn)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 4263: A sheep. Probably neuter of a presumed derivative of probaino; something that walks forward, i.e., a sheep.


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