John 10:6 - Printer Friendly

ESV: This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.

NIV: Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them.

NASB: Jesus told them this figure of speech, but they did not understand what the things which He was saying to them meant.

CSB: Jesus gave them this figure of speech, but they did not understand what he was telling them.

NLT: Those who heard Jesus use this illustration didn’t understand what he meant,

KJV: This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.

NKJV: Jesus used this illustration, but they did not understand the things which He spoke to them.

Jesus has just made the first of three analogies related to shepherding found in this chapter. These are spoken to hostile religious leaders who dispute Jesus' giving sight to a man born blind (John 9). In this metaphor, Jesus indicated that those who do not listen to His voice are like sheep belonging to a different shepherd. Those who do listen are those who belong to Him.

In that era, sheep would be kept in large pens holding several flocks. These structures had a single narrow opening, and this is where every animals would enter or exit. The gatekeeper would ensure that only legitimate shepherds could access the sheep. When a shepherd needed to bring out his animals, all he had to do was call them aloud. Since these animals lived their entire lives around that one person, they would respond only to that voice.

By analogy, Jesus is implying that the reason these religious critics don't listen to His words is because they belong to another master. In an earlier conversation, Jesus directly told men like these that they were children of the Devil (John 8:42–47). As such, they'd never choose to respond to God, but would recoil, instead.

Of course, as those not inclined to listen to Jesus in the first place, these men fail to grasp the point being made. Instead, as seen in later verses, they will try to write Him off as a babbling maniac (John 10:19–21).

John 10:1–21 continues directly from Jesus' clash with local religious leaders after giving sight to a man born blind (John 9). Jesus' references to shepherds and shepherding are pointed barbs at these hypocritical, self-serving figures. Jesus creates three separate metaphors here. These are not meant to be understood as a single analogy. The first comes in verses 1 through 6, the second in verses 7 through 9, and the third in verses 10 through 18. In doing so, Jesus explains how He differs from the corrupt leaders He confronts. He also delivers His third and fourth ''I am'' statements, out of seven in this gospel.

This passage continues Jesus' discussion with the religious leaders of Jerusalem, seen in chapter 9. Jesus lays out three separate analogies about His ministry using the concept of sheep and shepherds. In those statements, Jesus explains why some people refuse to accept Him. He declares Himself the only means of salvation. He again predicts His sacrificial death. This leads to controversy. Later, Jesus is cornered by a mob in the temple grounds. They try to stone Him as He repeats His divine claims, but He escapes in a way not fully described by the text. After this, Jesus leaves the area and returns to the region where John the Baptist had once preached.

Starting in chapter 7, the gospel of John describes Jesus' preaching at the Feast of Booths in Jerusalem. Through chapters 7 and 8, He debates with critics and attempts to explain spiritual truths. On the way out of the city, Jesus gives sight to a man born blind, as shown in chapter 9. That begins an extended debate which continues in this chapter. Jesus gives analogies of His mission using shepherding as a theme. Months later, He repeats those ideas when cornered by an aggressive mob in the temple. This sets the stage for His grandest miracle, the raising of Lazarus, seen in chapter 11.

The disciple John wrote the gospel of John decades after the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke were written. The author assumes that a reader is already familiar with the content of these other works. So, John presents a different perspective, with a greater emphasis on meaning. John uses seven miracles—which he calls "signs"— to prove that Jesus is, in fact, God incarnate. Some of the most well-known verses in the Bible are found here. None is more famous than the one-sentence summary of the gospel found in John 3:16.