Bible Commentary

And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. 5. And a stranger will they not follow ] Better, But a stranger they will assuredly not follow. The form of negative is very strong, as in Joh 4:14; Joh 4:48, Joh 6:35; Joh 6:37, … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 10:5”

And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. 4. when he putteth forth his own sheep ] Better, when he hath put forth all his own. Most of the best MSS. have ‘all’ for ‘sheep:’ ‘there shall not an hoof be … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 10:4”

To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. 3. To him the porter openeth ] The ‘porter’ is the door-keeper or gate-keeper, who fastens and opens the one door into the fold. In the allegory the fold is the Church, … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 10:3”

But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 2. is the shepherd of the sheep ] Better, is a shepherd of the sheep. There is more than one flock in the fold, and therefore more than one shepherd to visit the fold. The Good Shepherd has not yet appeared … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 10:2”

Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth. 41. If ye were blind ] Christ returns to His own meaning of ‘blind’ or ‘they which see not’ in Joh 9:39. ‘If ye were conscious of your own spiritual darkness, if … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 9:41”

And [some] of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words and said unto him, Are we blind also? 40. And some of ] Better, Those of. Are we blind also? ] Or, Surely we also are not blind? See on Joh 9:27. Of course they understand Him to be speaking figuratively. It is … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 9:40”

And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind. 39. And Jesus said ] There is no need to make a break in the narrative and refer these words to a subsequent occasion. This is not natural. … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 9:39”

And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshiped him. 38. Lord, I believe ] Or, I believe, Lord: the order is worth keeping. Comp. the centurion’s confession (Mat 27:54). There is no need to suppose that in either case the man making the confession knew anything like the full meaning of belief in the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 9:38”

And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee. 37. Thou hast both seen him ] Better, Thou hast even seen Him, and He that speaketh with thee is He. The latter half of the sentence is similar to the declaration in Joh 4:26. “This spontaneous … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 9:37”

He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him? 36. Who is he, Lord ] We should perhaps insert ‘and’ or ‘then’ with some of the best MSS., and Who is He? or, Who is He then? This ‘and’ or ‘then’ has the effect of intensifying the question. Comp. ‘ … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 9:36”