Devine Scripture

John 10:1

What does John 10:1 mean?

A plain-English look at John 10:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 10:1 means

Jesus begins with a picture familiar to His hearers: a communal sheepfold with a proper door. Anyone who refuses to use the door and instead sneaks over the wall shows his true character. Such a person is not a caretaker but a predator—“a thief and a robber.” He warns that some seek access to God’s people without God’s authorization. Their aim is not to nurture but to exploit. This sets a moral test for spiritual leadership: legitimacy is shown by lawful entry and transparent intent. By contrast, deceptive approaches betray hearts bent on gain, not the good of the flock.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Truly I say to you, He who does not go through the door into the place where the sheep are kept, but gets in by some other way, is a thief and an outlaw.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`Verily, verily, I say to you, He who is not entering through the door to the fold of the sheep, but is going up from another side, that one is a thief and a robber;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Amen, amen, I say to you: He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold but climbeth up another way, the same is a thief and a robber.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Verily, verily, I say to you, He that enters not in by the door to the fold of the sheep, but mounts up elsewhere, he is a thief and a robber;

Context

This opening image follows the conflict of John 9, where false shepherds expelled the healed man. Jesus shifts to pastoral imagery to expose illegitimate leaders. Verse 1 sets the contrast between true and false access to the flock, preparing for His later claims to be both the door and the shepherd. The next verses explain how authentic shepherds relate to the sheep—openly, personally, and recognizably—before noting that His audience does not grasp the parable, which prompts Him to restate and intensify His teaching more plainly.

v.1This passage

v.2But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • John 10:8

    All that came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.

  • Romans 16:18

    For they that are such serve not our Lord Christ, but their own belly; and by their smooth and fair speech they beguile the hearts of the innocent.

  • Jeremiah 23:16

    Thus saith Jehovah of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they teach you vanity; they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of Jehovah.

  • Zechariah 11:16

    For, lo, I will raise up a shepherd in the land, who will not visit those that are cut off, neither will seek those that are scattered, nor heal that which is broken, nor feed that which is sound; but he will eat the flesh of the fat sheep, and will tear their hoofs in pieces.

  • 2 Peter 2:1

    But there arose false prophets also among the people, as among you also there shall be false teachers, who shall privily bring in destructive heresies, denying even the Master that bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.

  • 2 Corinthians 11:13

    For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, fashioning themselves into apostles of Christ.

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