John 10:9
What does John 10:9 mean?
A plain-English look at John 10:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 10:9 means
Jesus repeats and amplifies: “I am the door.” Salvation is through Him. To “enter” by Christ is to trust and submit to Him, and those who do find both security and sustenance—“go in and go out” under His care and “find pasture.” The imagery blends safety within the fold and nourishment in open fields. Life with Jesus is not mere protection from harm; it is provision for flourishing. He is the access point to God’s kingdom blessings. The assurance is simple and profound: whoever comes by Him is welcomed, kept, and fed. The door is open, but it is only one door.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000I am the door; by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and go out, and shall find pasture.
KJV
King James Version · 1611I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901I am the door; by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and go out, and shall find pasture.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949I am the door: if any man goes in through me he will have salvation, and will go in and go out, and will get food.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862I am the door, through me if any one may come in, he shall be saved, and he shall come in, and go out, and find pasture.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752I am the door. By me, if any man enter in, he shall be saved: and he shall go in and go out, and shall find pastures.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890I am the door: if any one enter in by me, he shall be saved, and shall go in and shall go out and shall find pasture.
Context
Verse 9 concludes the “door” emphasis begun in verse 7 by attaching specific promises to entering through Jesus: salvation, freedom under His guidance, and pasture. This sets a strong contrast for verse 10, where the thief’s destructive intent is laid against Jesus’ stated purpose of abundant life. The next step in the discourse will deepen the metaphor as Jesus identifies Himself not only as the entry but as the Shepherd who personally secures that life through sacrificial love.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 10:1
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.
- Psalms 23:1
Jehovah is my shepherd; I shall not want.
- Ezekiel 34:12
As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered abroad, so will I seek out my sheep; and I will deliver them out of all places whither they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day.
- Isaiah 40:11
He will feed his flock like a shepherd, he will gather the lambs in his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and will gently lead those that have their young.
- Psalms 80:1
Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, Thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; Thou that sittest above the cherubim, shine forth.
- Psalms 100:3
Know ye that Jehovah, he is God: It is he that hath made us, and we are his; We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
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