Section 82
DISCOURSE ON THE GOOD SHEPHERD
Jerusalem, December, A. D. 29.
JOHN X. 1-21.
p.150 of 243 in Fourfold Gospel Document  (61.7%)


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Jon Courson Commentary:

While the sheep stayed in the communal sheepfold, all of the shepherds would return home each night except the one who would act as a porter, or watchman. In the morning, the shepherds would return for their flocks. How did they know whose sheep was whose if they were all mixed together in the sheepfold? Each shepherd had a distinctive call, or song, to which only his own sheep responded.

In Rev_2:17, we are told that our Great Shepherd, Jesus Christ, will give us new names that will fit us perfectly and that we'll possess for eternity.

You can always tell when a stranger creeps into the flock. He will cause division. Knowing something's not quite right, the sheep will scatter.
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All BKC Commentary:

Jesus developed this analogy in several ways. The connection with the preceding chapter is seen in Jesus’ contrast of the Pharisees with the man born blind. The Pharisees - spiritually blind while claiming insight (Joh_9:41) - were false shepherds. As the True Shepherd, Jesus came to seek and to heal. His sheep hear and respond to His voice.

 The point of this figure of speech consists in how a shepherd forms his flock. People come to God because He calls them (cf. Joh_10:16, Joh_10:27; Rom_8:28, Rom_8:30). Their proper response to His call is to follow Him (cf. Joh_1:43; Joh_8:12; Joh_12:26; Joh_21:19, Joh_21:22).

.Jesus predicted His resurrection twice (He would take… up His life again [Joh_10:17-18]) and His sovereignty (authority) over His own destiny. His death was wholly voluntary: No one takes it from Me. Jesus was not a helpless pawn on history’s chessboard.



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All Fourfold Commentary:

 They did not come in the ways ordained of God.]

[Several small flocks were sometimes kept in one field. The door was fastened from the inside with sticks or bars by the porter, who remained with the sheep during the night, and opened for the shepherds in the morning. The fold is the church, Christ is the door, the sheep [468] are the disciples, and the shepherd is Christ. The porter is probably part of the drapery of the parable. If he represents anybody, it is God, who decides who shall enter through the door.]

10 The thief cometh not, but that he may steal, and kill, and destroy: I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly. [Through the life of Jesus, as through a heavenly portal, men have entered upon true civilization, with its schools, colleges, railroads, telegraph, telephone, and innumerable privileges and liberties.]

 11 I am the good shepherd [The relations of Christ to his people are so abounding and complex as to overburden any parable which seeks to carry them. He is not only the passive doorway to life, but also the active, energizing force which leads his people through that doorway into life]:

 14 I am the good shepherd; and I know mine own, and mine own know me, 15 even as the Father knoweth me, and I know the Father [Our Lord's relationship to his flock is one of mutual knowledge and affection, and is far removed from the spirit of hire.

The knowledge existing between disciple and Master springs from mutual acquaintanceship and love. Thus it is the same kind of knowledge which exists between Father and Son, though it is not of the [470] same quality, being infinitely less full and perfect]

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