John – Chapter 10

New Testament42 Verses

Chapter Summary

"Amen, amen, I say to you: He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold but climbeth up another way, the same is a thief and a robber." — so begins John 10. The chapter centers on John and Solomon. Across its 42 verses, two threads run through the text: family and covenant relationships and faith and trust in God. Read slowly, this chapter rewards the kind of prayerful attention the Church calls lectio divina.

1Amen, amen, I say to you: He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold but climbeth up another way, the same is a thief and a robber.

2But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

3To him the porter openeth: and the sheep hear his voice. And he calleth his own sheep by name and leadeth them out.

4And when he hath let out his own sheep, he goeth before them: and the sheep follow him, because they know his voice.

5But a stranger they follow not, but fly from him, because they know not the voice of strangers.

6This proverb Jesus spoke to them. But they understood not what he spoke.

7Jesus therefore said to them again: Amen, amen, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.

8All others, as many as have come, are thieves and robbers: and the sheep heard them not.

9I 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.

10The thief cometh not, but for to steal and to kill and to destroy. I am come that they may have life and may have it more abundantly.

11I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd giveth his life for his sheep.

12But the hireling and he that is not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming and leaveth the sheep and flieth: and the wolf casteth and scattereth the sheep,

13And the hireling flieth, because he is a hireling: and he hath no care for the sheep.

14I am the good shepherd: and I know mine, and mine know me.

15As the Father knoweth me, and I know the Father: and I lay down my life for my sheep.

16And other sheep I have that 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.

17Therefore doth the Father love me: because I lay down my life, that I may take it again.

18No man taketh it away from me: but I lay it down of myself. And I have power to lay it down: and I have power to take it up again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

19A dissension rose again among the Jews for these words.

20And many of them said: He hath a devil and is mad. Why hear you him?

21Others said: These are not the words of one that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind?

22And it was the feast of the dedication at Jerusalem: and it was winter.

23And Jesus walked in the temple, in Solomon's porch.

24The Jews therefore came round about him and said to him: How long dost thou hold our souls in suspense? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly.

25Jesus answered them: I speak to you, and you believe not: the works that I do in the name of my Father, they give testimony of me.

26But you do not believe, because you are not of my sheep.

27My sheep hear my voice. And I know them: and they follow me.

28And I give them life everlasting: and they shall not perish for ever. And no man shall pluck them out of my hand.

29That which my Father hath given me is greater than all: and no one can snatch them out of the hand of my Father.

30I and the Father are one.

31The Jews then took up stones to stone him.

32Jesus answered them: Many good works I have shewed you from my Father. For which of those works do you stone me?

33The Jews answered him: For a good work we stone thee not, but for blasphemy: and because that thou. being a, man, makest thyself God.

34Jesus answered them: Is it not written in your law: I said, you are gods?

35If he called them gods to whom the word of God was spoken; and the scripture cannot be broken:

36Do you say of him whom the Father hath sanctified and sent into the world: Thou blasphemest; because I said: I am the Son of God?

37If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.

38But if I do, though you will not believe me, believe the works: that you may know and believe that the Father is in me and I in the Father.

39They sought therefore to take him: and he escaped out of their hands.

40And he went again beyond the Jordan, into that place where John was baptizing first. And there he abode.

41And many resorted to him: and they said: John indeed did no sign.

42But all things whatsoever John said of this man were true. And many believed n him.

Important Verses in John 10

Amen, amen, I say to you: He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold but climbeth up another way, the same is a thief and a robber.

John 10:1

I 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.

John 10:9

Therefore doth the Father love me: because I lay down my life, that I may take it again.

John 10:17

Do you say of him whom the Father hath sanctified and sent into the world: Thou blasphemest; because I said: I am the Son of God?

John 10:36

Historical Context

As a New Testament book, John was written with the Church at the close of the apostolic age, led into the mystery of Christ's divinity in view. Chapter 10 of 21 stands in the central portion of the book, where decisive events or teachings take shape. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 42 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. The chapter focuses on John and Solomon, whose actions and words drive the passage forward. The chapter begins: "Amen, amen, I say to you: He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold but climbeth up another way, the same is…" The chapter ends with: "But all things whatsoever John said of this man were true. And many believed n him. " In terms of historical background, The fourth Gospel begins before creation: 'In the beginning was the Word. Scholarly and ecclesial tradition places the composition of John around About AD 90-100, at Ephesus.

Who Wrote It

The Apostle John, the beloved disciple, according to early tradition

When It Was Written

About AD 90-100, at Ephesus

Catholic Commentary

In this 42-verse narrative, the sacred author records events that advance the story of Jesus as the eternal Word and source of life. A pivotal line is verse 1: "Amen, amen, I say to you: He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold but climbeth up another way, the same is a thief and a robber." The passage repeatedly touches on family and covenant relationships.

The Church teaches that every passage of Scripture must be read in light of Christ and the Magisterium (CIC 2105). Here, John's Gospel reveals Christ's divinity most clearly (CIC 241). The spiritual sense invites believers to recognize family and covenant relationships as part of God's pedagogy of salvation.

Applied to the life of faith, the passage supports the Church's conviction that I am the way, the truth, and the life. Whether read privately or heard in the liturgy, John 10 calls for a response of faith, repentance, and charity.

Main Teachings

  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • Faith is a gift and a decision: entrusting ourselves entirely to God and to His promises.
  • The Lord is a refuge and deliverer for all who call upon Him in trouble.

People in This Chapter

John3 mentionsSolomon1 mention

Reflection for Today

The central section of John—Chapter 10 of 21—opens a particular moment in the story of Jesus as the eternal Word and source of life.

According to Catholic teaching, John's Gospel reveals Christ's divinity most clearly (CIC 241). This chapter especially highlights care for the poor and vulnerable, a theme the Catechism develops in relation to the whole of revelation (CIC 385).

May your reading of John Chapter 10 become true lectio divina: read the words, meditate on their meaning, respond in prayer, and rest in God's presence. Ask the Holy Spirit to show how I am the way, the truth, and the life applies to your life today.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is John Chapter 10 about?

John 10 contains 42 verses. It opens with "Amen, amen, I say to you: He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold but climbeth up another way, the same is…" and closes with "But all things whatsoever John said of this man were true. And many believed n him. ". The book as a whole is gospel.

What is a key verse in John 10?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "Amen, amen, I say to you: He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold but climbeth up another way, the same is a thief and a robber." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in John Chapter 10?

This chapter mentions John, Solomon.

Who wrote John and when?

The Apostle John, the beloved disciple, according to early tradition. About AD 90-100, at Ephesus.

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