John 10:7
Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.
Original Language Analysis
πάλιν
again
G3825
πάλιν
again
Strong's:
G3825
Word #:
3 of 17
(adverbially) anew, i.e., (of place) back, (of time) once more, or (conjunctionally) furthermore or on the other hand
αὐτοῖς
unto them
G846
αὐτοῖς
unto them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
4 of 17
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
6 of 17
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
ἀμὴν
Verily
G281
ἀμὴν
Verily
Strong's:
G281
Word #:
7 of 17
properly, firm, i.e., (figuratively) trustworthy; adverbially, surely (often as interjection, so be it)
ἀμὴν
Verily
G281
ἀμὴν
Verily
Strong's:
G281
Word #:
8 of 17
properly, firm, i.e., (figuratively) trustworthy; adverbially, surely (often as interjection, so be it)
λέγω
I say
G3004
λέγω
I say
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
9 of 17
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
ὅτι
G3754
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θύρα
the door
G2374
θύρα
the door
Strong's:
G2374
Word #:
15 of 17
a portal or entrance (the opening or the closure, literally or figuratively)
Cross References
John 14:6Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.Ephesians 2:18For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.John 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.John 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.Ezekiel 34:31And ye my flock, the flock of my pasture, are men, and I am your God, saith the Lord GOD.Psalms 79:13So we thy people and sheep of thy pasture will give thee thanks for ever: we will shew forth thy praise to all generations.Psalms 100:3Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.Psalms 95:7For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice,Isaiah 53:6All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Historical Context
Palestinian shepherds used temporary fold enclosures with a single entrance. The shepherd's body served as the door, protecting sheep from thieves and predators. This would resonate with Jesus' audience familiar with shepherding practices.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Christ being the 'only door' challenge contemporary views of multiple paths to God?
- What does it mean that Christ not only opens the door but IS the door?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The 'door' metaphor emphasizes exclusivity: Christ is THE door (definite article), not A door among many. This confronts religious pluralism. As the door, Christ is both the entrance to salvation and the protector of His sheep. In ancient sheepfolds, the shepherd literally became the door, lying across the entrance. This 'I AM' statement claims divine authority—only God can be humanity's exclusive way to life.