João 10
R.C.H. Lenski · Citado em PreceptAustin
João 10
Lenski writes "Some have thought that Jesus here refers to false Messiahs who had come before his time. But this is historically incorrect and also untrue to the figure. False Messiahs would be false doors to the fold not thieves and robbers who fight shy of "the door." When Jesus adds that these "are" thieves and robbers he comes down to the present and includes the present Jewish leaders. All, past and present, "are" self-seekers. All these are (reality) "thieves and robbers" (figure). They do not own the sheep and they are not shepherds. For their own evil purposes they attempt to get the sheep into their power. How ill the sheep would fare at their hands is left to the imagination. That they are, indeed, nothing but men who steal and rob is evidenced by the present representatives (PHARISEES), who, like their predecessors, reject "the door." (See page 713 of Interpretation of St John's Gospel) New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology on thieves and robbers - The plural phrase kleptai kai lestai, used by Jesus in Jn. 10:8 to define all who came before him, is not intended to include the godly of earlier days, but refers to false messiahs, such as Theudas and Judas the Galilean (Acts 5:36 f.). “All who came” alludes to the technical term for the messiah, the “coming one” (Matt. 11:3; Mk. 11:9; Lk. 7:19; Ro 5:14). The purpose of the coming of the kleptes was to destroy life in furthering his own ends. By contrast, Jesus had come to give life, even at the expense of his own, and abundant life at that (Jn. 10:10). (See Page 378 NIDNTT) But the sheep (probaton) did not hear (akouo) them - But introduces a good contrast. Those who were true sheep (genuine believers - remnant of Israel) did not give attention to those who came to steal sheep (spiritually speaking). Jesus repeats the truth described Jn 10:5, where He declared that not only did the sheep not hear or recognize the stranger as their shepherd but they even fled from them. The corollary is that true sheep will persevere (See perseverance of the saints) in following the true Shepherd, Jesus Christ. This does not mean a true sheep (genuine believer) cannot occasionally be duped and be led astray by a false shepherd for a period of time. However in Jn 10:27-29+ Jesus makes it clear that He will keep His true sheep eternally secure. They will not stray indefinitely. They will persevere because He enables them to persevere in following Him. On the other hand as John explains in his first epistle that false sheep will not persevere but will leave the flock writing "They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be shown that they all are not of us." (1Jn 2:19+) John 10:9 "I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. BGT John 10:9 ἐγώ εἰμι ἡ θύρα· δι᾽ ἐμοῦ ἐάν τις εἰσέλθῃ σωθήσεται καὶ εἰσελεύσεται καὶ ἐξελεύσεται καὶ νομὴν εὑρήσει. KJV 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. NET John 10:9 I am the door. If anyone enters through me, he will be saved, and will come in and go out, and find pasture. CSB John 10:9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved and will come in and go out and find pasture. ESV John 10:9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. NIV John 10:9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. NLT John 10:9 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. the door: John 10:1,7 14:6 Ro 5:1,2 Eph 2:18 Heb 10:19-22 and will: Ps 23:1-6 Ps 80:1-3 Ps 95:7 Ps 100:3,4 Isa 40:11 Isa 49:9,10 Eze 34:12-16 Zec 10:12 John 10 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Ephesians 2:17-18+ AND HE CAME AND PREACHED PEACE TO YOU WHO WERE FAR AWAY, AND PEACE TO THOSE WHO WERE NEAR; for through Him we both have our access (prosagoge) in one Spirit to the Father. John 14:6+ Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. Psalm 23:1-3+ A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. 3 He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Deuteronomy 28:6+ “Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out. Psalm 121:8+ The LORD will guard your going out and your coming in From this time forth and forever. Psalms 23:4-5+ (SPEAKS OF THE SAFETY OF HIS SHEEP) Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. 1 Chronicles 4:40 They found rich and good pasture, and the land was broad and quiet and peaceful; for those who lived there formerly were Hamites. Isaiah 49:9-10 Saying to those who are bound, ‘Go forth,’ To those who are in darkness, ‘Show yourselves.’ Along the roads they will feed, And their pasture will be on all bare heights. 10“They will not hunger or thirst, Nor will the scorching heat or sun strike them down; For He who has compassion on them will lead them And will guide them to springs of water. Ezekiel 34:12-15 (PROPHECY FOR THE REMNANT) “As a shepherd cares for his herd in the day when he is among his scattered sheep, so I will care for My sheep and will deliver them from all the places to which they were scattered on a cloudy and gloomy day. 13 “I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries and bring them to their own land; and I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the streams, and in all the inhabited places of the land. 14 “I will feed them in a good pasture, and their grazing ground will be on the mountain heights of Israel. There they will lie down on good grazing ground and feed in rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. 15 “I will feed My flock and I will lead them to rest,” declares the Lord GOD. "VIA UNICA, VIA CERTA" - "THE ONLY WAY, THE SURE WAY" I AM THE ONLY DOOR TO SALVATION I am (ego eimi - present tense - continually) the door (thura) - Jesus alludes to the practice of some Near Eastern shepherds personally sleeping in the door to guard the sheep. Jesus now explains the meaning of Himself as the one and only door. Jesus is claiming to be exclusive, the ONLY way to God. He is not a door, but the door of the sheep (Jn 10:7). If Jesus had said he was "A DOOR," most folks would not object, but "a door" is tantamount to saying Jesus is just one of many ways to God (Do all roads lead to God?). That is why the picture of the sheepfold with a single door is so powerful. It leaves absolutely no "wiggle room" for another way into the sheepfold. The moment you say Jesus is the only door, rest assured you will be accused of being bigoted and intolerant! (See quote from C S Lewis below). ESV Study Bible - The NT elsewhere speaks of “entering” God’s kingdom as through a door (e.g., Matt. 7:7, 13; Mt 18:8-9; Nt 25:10 par.; Acts 14:22). (Borrow ESV Study Bible) If - This if introduces a third class conditional sentence with a future passive verb. It describes a condition which may be true or may not be true. In this context it describes persons, some of whom will enter through Him, and others who will not! Anyone enters (eiserchomai) through Me, he will be saved (sozo - divine passive) - Note the pronoun anyone, which "opens the door" (pun intended) to any person at all (cf "whoever" in Ro 10:13+). In order to receive the promise from Jesus, there is one condition that they must meet and that is they must enter through Jesus. There is no other door. No trap door. No door #1, door #2, door #3. Entrance in any other door but Jesus will not result in salvation and eternal life but eternal loss and death! While saved could speak of physical salvation, Jesus clearly intends the more significant meaning of spiritual salvation. The root of sozo is sos (think "S.O.S" ~ "save our ship"!) which means safe and sound. Enters is in the middle voice indicating the "anyone" makes a choice of their will ("FREE WILL") to enter and participates in the results thereof (salvation and pasture). From what will he/she be saved? In this present life, he/she will be saved from sin's power and in the future, saved from sin's presence, sin's punishment, sin's pleasure and eternal death. Robertson on anyone enters through Me, he will be saved - One can call this narrow intolerance, if he will, but it is the narrowness of truth. If Jesus is the Son of God sent to earth for our salvation, he is the only way. He had already said it in John 5:23. He will say it again more sharply in John 14:6. It is unpalatable to the religious dogmatists before him as it is to the liberal dogmatists today. Jesus offers the open door to "any one" (tis) who is willing (thelei) to do God's will (John 7:17). Jesus offers the open door to “any one” (tis) who is willing (thelei) to do God’s will (Jn 7:17+). Steven Cole on enters through Me - How do you enter? Well, that’s the theme of the entire Gospel of John. He wrote these signs that Jesus did (Jn 20:31), “so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.” Or (Jn 1:12), “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name.” Or (Jn 3:16), “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” To enter through Jesus the door means to believe in Him as the Christ, the Son of God, Who died for your sins and was raised from the dead. Have you done that? Have you put your trust in Jesus as your only hope for eternal life? Maybe if you’re a young person you’re thinking, “I’ll probably do that someday, but I want to have some fun first. I want to enjoy some of the pleasures that this world offers while I can. Later, maybe I’ll trust in Jesus.” But that is a serious mistake. Warren Wiersbe on will be saved - As the Door, Jesus delivers sinners from bondage and leads them into freedom. They have salvation! This word "saved" (sozo) means "delivered safe and sound." It was used to say that a person had recovered from severe illness, come through a bad storm, survived a war, or was acquitted at court. Some modern preachers want to do away with an "old-fashioned" word like "saved," but Jesus used it! (Bible Exposition Commentary) And will go in (eiserchomai) and out and find pasture - This speaks of privilege and freedom to find spiritual nourishment. ESV Study Bible - Find pasture conveys the assurance of God’s provision (cf. 1Ch 4:40; Ps 23:2; Isa 49:9-10; Ezek. 34:12-15). (Borrow ESV Study Bible) NET Note on in and out - Another significant NT text is Luke 9:4, where both these verbs occur in the context of the safety and security provided by a given household for the disciples. Adam Clarke on go in and out - “This phrase, in the style of the Hebrews, points out all the actions of a man’s life, and the liberty he has of acting, or not acting.” Marcus Dods (Expositor's Greek Testament) - “To ‘go out and in’ is the common O.T. expression to denote the free activity of daily life. Jeremiah 37:4, Psalm 121:8, Deuteronomy 28:6.” Brian Bell on in and out - I like that we get to “go in and out.” Almost sounds like the hamburger place called “In ‘N Out,” doesn’t it? We come in to gather, grow and give in order to go out! We gather here and we go out there to bring others in here. We can come in and go out with freedom because Jesus wants us to live life with liberty, not shackled down with rules and regulations. Whether we’re in the pen or out in the pastures, we pass through Jesus and receive His grace....He who gives salvation, security, and satisfaction to all who enter here! . In Dante’s Divine Comedy he shares the supposed inscription at the entrance to Hell, “Abandon all hope ye who enter here”. Q: Does that sign hang anywhere in your life? “Abandon all hope ye who enter here” Q: Any situation in your life that seems hopeless? a) Does it hang over a bottle/alcohol that seems impossible to walk away from @ night? b) Does it hang over every meal with your eating disorder? c) Does it hang over your unemployment, thinking you’ll never find work? d) Does it hang over your marriage that constantly feels “it’s over”? e) Where have you abandoned all hope? 3. We can affix a different sign at the entrance to this new door, “Abandon yourself ye who enter here”; or, “Gain all hope ye who enter here!” One writer (F B Meyer) applies the in/out to "in for fellowship" and "out for service." Not bad!
João 10
Lenski - The picture is that of a sheepfold, a walled or fenced enclosure, where the sheep are kept at night, while during the day they are led out to pasture. The vital point is the action of the two persons in regard to the door of the fold. He who shuns the door and gets in some other way, such as by climbing over the wall or fence, that man (ekeinos, a word John loves) is a thief who means to steal what does not belong to him, or a robber who would obtain by violence what belongs to another." (See page 711 in the Interpretation of St John's Gospel) Lenski's comment "obtain by violence" reminds me of the infamous cult leader James Jones Brian Bell - Why does He compare us to sheep? 1. We are prone to wander (All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way - Isa 53:6) 2. We need a Shepherd to guide us (like sheep do) 3. Sheep flock together, so should we (should be no lone wolves!) Marvin Vincent on some other way (ἀλλαχόθεν) - Literally, from some other quarter. The thief does not, like the shepherd, come from some well-known direction, as from his dwelling or from the pasture, but from an unknown quarter and by a road of his own. This from is significant, because, in the previous discourses, Jesus has laid great stress on the source from which He proceeded, and has made the difference in character between Himself and His opposers turn upon difference of origin. See Jn 8:23, 42, 44+ ("You are from below, I am from above"...."I...have come from God"). In the latter part of this chapter He brings out the same thought (Jn 10:30, 32, 33, 36+). Warren
João 10
Lenski explains that even though they fail the test "for such blind people the use of this uncommon way of teaching (figure of speech) does at least one thing: by its very strangeness it remains in the memory and long after challenges the mind to penetrate to the true meaning. Perhaps thus at last the light will succeed in penetrating. In this case Jesus even condescends to explain his mashal and to elaborate it quite extensively (Jn 10:7-18). In the case of many even this was in vain (Jn 10:20), but others began to catch something of the light (Jn 10:21). NET Note on figure of speech (paroimia) - This term does not occur in the synoptic Gospels, where parabole is used. Nevertheless it is similar, denoting a short narrative with figurative or symbolic meaning. Religion can be a barrier, not a bridge. -- Bob Utley But they did not understand (ginosko) what those things were which He had been saying to them - Who is they? In context this is the Pharisees that were present at the end of John 9. They could not understand the spiritual truth Jesus was speaking because they did not have the capacity. They were like the natural men Paul described in 1Co 2:14+ writing "a natural man does not accept (dechomai - welcome, gladly receive) the things of the Spirit of God (LIKE THE TRUTH IN John 10:1-5), for they are foolishness to him; and he (ABSOLUTELY) cannot understand (same verb ginosko) them, because they are spiritually appraised (anakrino)." They could not understand or see because one aspect of their judgment for claiming "We see" (Jn 9:41+) was that they would not be able to see! In fairness, it should be noted that the disciples themselves often failed to understand - Jn 2:22; Jn 12:16; Jn 14:26; Jn 16:18. They did put the pieces of the puzzle together after He was resurrected and received His Spirit Who would lead them into all truth. R C H Lenski - What Jesus meant by his figurative language the Pharisees, who boasted, "We see," (Jn 9:41+) failed completely to comprehend (aorist). The entire presentation is lucid; but, of course, it requires eyes to see through the lucid figure to the inner reality (ED: 1Co 2:14-16+)....The first intention in using a mashal (ED: See onsite discussion of the Hebrew word mashal means "parable" or "allegory.") was to demonstrate to all present that the Pharisees were indeed utterly blind. Yet this form of teaching impresses itself upon the mind more than any other, and if there is any hope at all, it may eventually penetrate and enlighten. In so far as men will not see, they, indeed, shall not see, and this is a judgment upon them. For those who see, a mashal reveals the truth still more and by its very form enters more deeply and thus enlightens still more and opens the eyes of the heart more fully. A purpose of grace is thus combined with one of judgment (ED: The same sun which melts wax hardens clay. As Spurgeon said "the same Gospel which melts some persons to repentance hardens others in their sins."). Which is to prevail in the end is decided by the heart of those upon whom the truth is thus brought to act with its power." (See page 713 Interpretation of St John's Gospel) David
João 10
Lenski - In the shepherd's word, wherever and whenever it is spoken, the sheep hear the shepherd's voice, and it is inexpressibly sweet and attractive to them. "This lovely, delightful picture you may, if you wish, see for yourself among sheep. When a stranger calls, whistles, coaxes: Come, sheep! come, sheep! it runs and flees, and the more you call, the more it runs, as if a wolf were after it, for it knows not the strange voice; but where the shepherd makes himself heard a little, they all run to him, for they know his voice. This is how all true Christians should do, hear no voice but their shepherd's, Christ, as he himself says." Luther. (BORROW The Interpretation of St. John's Gospel) Klink points out that "In Jn 10:1–21 the emphasis was placed on the sheep’s knowledge of the shepherd (Jn 10:4); now the emphasis is placed on the Shepherd’s knowledge of the sheep: “and I know them” (κἀγὼ γινώσκω αὐτά). While there was certainly an implied mutual knowledge in the previous pericope (cf. Jn 10:14), the primary focus was the sheep’s recognition of the Shepherd. The reversed emphasis here serves to carry forward the rebuke of the Jews. It is not just their (passive) inability to recognize him as their shepherd; it is also his (active) rejection of them as his sheep. Not only are the Jewish authorities declared incompetent as shepherds (Jn 10:1–21), but they are now no longer even able to call themselves sheep! (See John - Page 477) And I know (ginosko) them (cf Jn 10:3, 14) - Jesus of course is omniscient and thus knows everyone in one sense. Here Know means more than just to know by experience. Another meaning of ginosko which bears emphasis is its use in relationships where it speaks of an intimate knowing between the parties. For example, ginosko is the verb used to describe Joseph not "knowing" Mary before Jesus was born and thus maintaining her virginity (cf Mt 1:25KJV+ = "knew her not..."). In the Septuagint of Psalm 1:6 we read "the LORD knows (Lxx = ginosko) the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish." Notice that the fate of those whom the LORD does not "know" is destruction (perish, ruin, doom, loss). So the fact that Jesus knows His sheep speaks of intimate knowledge and a personal relationship. As an aside, ginosko is a key verb in John 10 occurring 5x (Jn. 10:6, 14, 15, 27, 38) In short, I know indicates Jesus acknowledges them (all believers) as His very own. The celebrated W. Jay of Bath was wont to say, that Christ’s sheep were marked in the ear and the foot: “They hear My voice, and follow Me.” And they follow (akoloutheo) Me (cf Jn 10:4, 5) - Why do they follow Him? Is it because He has a rope around their necks? Of course not! They follow Him because they know from His voice that He is their true Shepherd. They follow Him because the Spirit of Christ in them energizes them supernaturally to desire to follow Him. They follow Him because they love Him. Like the verb for hear (akouo), follow (akoloutheo) is in the present tense, describing following as one's general lifestyle or habitual practice. And remember, we are not speaking of perfection but of general direction. Sheep are sheep and so from time to time we will all stray, but the Shepherd always seeks us and brings us home. THOUGHT- Dear sheep, are you following your Good Shepherd? Do you have a desire to obey Him, a desire motivated by love, not fear? To enter into the abundant life of John 10:10b, a sheep must obediently follow their Shepherd! If you are not experiencing the abundant life in Christ, then guess who is the reason for this failure? Following the Shepherd's advice (note the 3 commands) in Revelation 2:4-5+ is a good way to get back on the sheep path to abundant life in Christ! R C H Lenski on they follow Me - I call, they come; I choose the path, they trust and come after; I lead, they are safe in my care; I command in love, they respond in obedience and love. If this at times means the cross, they do not waver. One cannot hear without following, nor follow except he hear. It is all so simple and natural—just as in the case of sheep and their shepherd. (BORROW The Interpretation of St. John's Gospel) Related Resources: Sermon by J C
João 10
Lenski points out "They picked them up where the building operations of reconstructing parts of the Temple were going on and brought them to the Porch of Solomon as they had done once before (Jn 8:59+). Thus their action is their answer. (BORROW The Interpretation of St. John's Gospel) Augustine remarks: “Behold the Jews understood what Arians do not understand.” Brian Bell - Instead of being compliant sheep they remain rebel goats and continue to butt heads like stubborn nanny goats. Bob