And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
Read it in contextThe Good Shepherd Discourse and Debate with the Jews
Start reading at John 10:1 (John 10:1 to John 10:42).
The passage provided starts at John 10:8, but the themes of the Good Shepherd and His sheep begin at the start of the chapter, and the entire chapter forms a cohesive unit of Jesus' teaching and interaction with the Jews.
10:1Verily, 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.
10:2But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
10:3To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.
10:4And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
10:5And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.
10:6This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.
10:7Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.
10:8All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.
10:9I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
10:10The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
10:11I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
10:12But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.
10:13The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
10:14I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
10:15As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
10:16And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
10:17Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
10:18No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
10:19There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings.
10:20And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him?
10:21Others said, These are not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind?
10:22And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.
10:23And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch.
10:24Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly.
10:25Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me.
10:26But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.
10:27My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
10:28And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
10:29My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.
10:30I and my Father are one.
10:31Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.
10:32Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?
10:33The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.
10:34Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?
10:35If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;
10:36Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?
10:37If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.
10:38But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.
10:39Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand,
10:40And went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized; and there he abode.
10:41And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man were true.
10:42And many believed on him there.
Study content, not yet reviewed.
Who
Who wrote the book? John the apostle is the traditional author. The Gospel identifies its witness as the beloved disciple; identifying that disciple personally as John rests on early church testimony. Biblical references: John 21:20; John 21:24. Historical source: Irenaeus, Against Heresies 3.1.1; Anchor Bible Dictionary, John, Gospel of. traditionally held
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (John 10:1–10:42): Jesus continues teaching about the shepherd and sheep; later Jewish opponents confront Him at the feast of dedication, while others across Jordan believe His testimony. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? Readers called to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and to have life through His name. No individual or congregation is named as the sole original recipient. Biblical references: John 20:30; John 20:31. stated in the text
What
What is the main event or theme? The main theme is Jesus, the Good Shepherd, providing eternal life and absolute security to His sheep, emphasizing their eternal preservation in His and the Father's hands.
What is God revealing? God is revealing the divine nature of Jesus Christ, His power to grant eternal life, and the absolute security of those who are His followers, protected by both Jesus and the Father, demonstrating their unity.
What is the literary style? The literary style is Gospel narrative, presenting Jesus' teachings and interactions with various groups.
When
When was it written? The Gospel of John was written approximately A.D. 85 to 95. book background
When does the event take place? The event takes place during the Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah) in winter, approximately A.D. 27 to 30. stated in the text
Where
Where did it happen? The event happened in Jerusalem, specifically in the temple in Solomon's porch. stated in the text
Where was the author located? Traditionally, the author, John, was located in Ephesus when he wrote this Gospel. traditionally held
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in The Good Shepherd Discourse and Debate with the Jews (John 10:1 to John 10:42).
Start reading at John 10:1. The passage provided starts at John 10:8, but the themes of the Good Shepherd and His sheep begin at the start of the chapter, and the entire chapter forms a cohesive unit of Jesus' teaching and interaction with the Jews.
How
How does it fit the broader context? This verse is a central part of Jesus' discourse where He identifies Himself as the Good Shepherd who knows His sheep and lays down His life for them. It directly follows His explanation to the Jews that they do not believe because they are not His sheep, and it precedes His declaration of unity with the Father, which leads to another attempt to stone Him for blasphemy. stated in the text
How does it point to Christ? This verse profoundly points to Christ by revealing His divine authority and power to grant eternal life and ensure the eternal security of His followers. His ability to give "eternal life" and protect His sheep from perishing and being "plucked out of my hand" demonstrates His deity and His role as the ultimate Savior and Shepherd, further emphasized by His statement, "I and my Father are one." interpretation
How do I apply it today? Believers today can find immense comfort and assurance in this promise. It affirms that once one becomes a true follower of Christ, they are eternally secure in His care, and no external force or circumstance can separate them from His love or cause them to lose their salvation. This should encourage steadfast faith and trust in Jesus' preserving power and His commitment to His sheep. interpretation
Cited: John 10:28, John 10:27, John 10:29, John 10:24, John 10:22, John 10:22-23, John 10:11, John 10:26-27, John 10:29-30, John 10:30
Who wrote it, and how we know
John the apostleNamed in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe book identifies its author as the disciple who testifies of these things and wrote them. John 21:24John 21:20
Early traditionEarly testimony, notably Irenaeus, names John the apostle.
What is debated
There is substantial early Christian tradition supporting John the son of Zebedee—James’s brother—as the authority behind the Gospel, but it is not the same kind of evidence as having a signed first-century manuscript saying “I, John son of Zebedee, wrote this.” The case is cumulative, built from internal evidence in the Gospel plus external testimony from early Christians. There are also real reasons scholars debate it.
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
John 10
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
The Gospel states that its signs are written so readers may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and have life through His name. Read its claims about belief alongside its calls to receive His word, continue in it, and follow Him. The shepherd discourse follows the conflict over the healed man in John 9.
Connection to the wholeJesus contrasts His care with thieves and hirelings, explaining His giving of life for the sheep and producing further division among hearers.
Connection to the wholeJesus answers demands for plain testimony by pointing to His works and sheep, and His words provoke another attempt to seize Him.
Connection to the wholeAway from the immediate confrontation, people connect John's witness with Jesus' works and many believe on Him.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
John
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
The Gospel states that its signs are written so readers may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and have life through His name. Read its claims about belief alongside its calls to receive His word, continue in it, and follow Him.
Connection to the wholeThe farewell teaching prepares the disciples for His departure, the Comforter, opposition, and continuing life and witness in Him.