must obtain acceptance with God. Christ silenced them. But the sin of the self-conceited and
self-confident remains; they reject the gospel of grace, therefore the guilt of their sin remains
unpardoned, and the power of their sin remains unbroken.
Chapter 10
Chapter Outline
The parable of the good shepherd. (1–5)
Christ the Door. (6–9)
Christ the good Shepherd. (10–18)
The Jews' opinion concerning Jesus. (19–21)
His discourse at the feast of dedication. (22–30)
The Jews attempt to stone Jesus. (31–38)
He departs from Jerusalem. (39–42)Verses 1–5
Here is a parable or similitude, taken from the customs of the East, in the management of sheep.
Men, as creatures depending on their Creator, are called the sheep of his pasture. The church of
God in the world is as a sheep-fold, exposed to deceivers and persecutors. The great Shepherd of
the sheep knows all that are his, guards them by his providence, guides them by his Spirit and word,
and goes before them, as the Eastern shepherds went before their sheep, to set them in the way of
his steps. Ministers must serve the sheep in their spiritual concerns. The Spirit of Christ will set
before them an open door. The sheep of Christ will observe their Shepherd, and be cautious and
shy of strangers, who would draw them from faith in him to fancies about him.
Verses 6–9
Many who hear the word of Christ, do not understand it, because they will not. But we shall
find one scripture expounding another, and the blessed Spirit making known the blessed Jesus.
Christ is the Door. And what greater security has the church of God than that the Lord Jesus is
between it and all its enemies? He is a door open for passage and communication. Here are plain
directions how to come into the fold; we must come in by Jesus Christ as the Door. By faith in him
as the great Mediator between God and man. Also, we have precious promises to those that observe
this direction. Christ has all that care of his church, and every believer, which a good shepherd has
of his flock; and he expects the church, and every believer, to wait on him, and to keep in his pasture.
Verses 10–18