John – Chapter 10:1-21
10:1-21 “I am the Good Shepherd” – Together with Mt 18:12-14 and Lk 15:4-7, John 10 is the most beloved depiction of Jesus as the good shepherd and the door of the sheep. From the beginning of Christian art, Jesus is depicted as savior using the image of a shepherd carrying sheep on his shoulders. It follows immediately on the healing and interrogation of the man-born-blind, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you say, ‘We see.’ Therefore your sin remains” (9:41). Echoes of this story come in v.21. The starting point is vs.1-6, described as a παροιμία, parable or “figure” (16:25,29; 1 Pt 2:29) that the hearers do not understand, followed by two pronouncements in vs. 7-10 and 11-18. After the temporary conclusion of v.16 and illustration of v.17-18, vs.19-21 is another reaction from “the Jews.” In v. 22 and following, we are at the feast of Dedication and the themes of v.1-18 return. v.1-6 “Truly, truly” – This is used as an emphatic continuation of what was said, especially of “hard” sayings (see 3:3; 6:26, 32; 8:58; 13:38). The Good Shepherd distinction between good and bad shepherds is the sharp contrast or antithesis between the Jesus with the formerly blind man and the Jews. Jesus’ healing of the man born blind is an application of Jesus’ pastoral care for the sheep who have no shepherd. The Jews are the false shepherds who neglect the flock! This would be a familiar illustration for the Jews both in their context but also with OT allusion (esp. Ez 34, Num 27:15-17; Ps 80:1). The distinction is between the shepherd and the thief/robber/stranger. First, the thief and robber gain access illicitly and not by the lawful and normal way. Second, between the shepherd and sheep there is a bond of trust. The stranger would not success because they would not know his voice. This is not pure metaphor or allegory but rather a proverb, cryptic saying, or riddle. The confusion is not with Jesus but with the hearers (cf . Mt 13:10ff; Mk 4:10-12). v. 7-8 “I am the Door” – Uniquely to this Gospel compared to the Synoptics, Jesus gives explanation not only to His disciples but also to all who hear Him. Jesus alone is the lawful access to the sheepfold, who alone mediates the true pastoral office. Those who lack His…