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John 10:4
Verse
Context
Jesus the Good Shepherd
3The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen for his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.4When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.5But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will flee from him because they do not recognize his voice.”
Sermons






Summary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
He goeth before them - A sixth mark of a true pastor is, he gives them a good example: he not only preaches, but he lives, the truth of the Gospel; he enters into the depths of the salvation of God; and, having thus explored the path, he knows how to lead those who are entrusted to his care into the fullness of the blessings of the Gospel of peace. He who does not endeavor to realize in his own soul the truths which he preaches to others will soon be as salt without its savor; his preaching cannot be accompanied with that unction which alone can make it acceptable and profitable to those whose hearts are right with God. The minister who is in this state of salvation the sheep, genuine Christians, will follow, for they know his voice. It was the custom in the eastern countries for the shepherd to go at the head of his sheep, and they followed him from pasture to pasture. I have seen many hundreds of sheep thus following their shepherd on the extensive downs in the western parts of England.
John Gill Bible Commentary
And when he putteth forth his own sheep,.... The Ethiopic version reads, "when he leads them all out"; in order to bring them into proper pastures: he goeth before them; in allusion to the eastern shepherds, who when they put out their flocks, did not, as ours do, drive them before them, and follow after them, at least not always, but went before them: so Christ, the great shepherd, goes before his flock, not only to provide for them, but by way of example to them; in many instances he is an ensample to the flock, as under shepherds, according to the measure of grace received, should be: he has left them an example in many respects, that they should tread in his steps: and the sheep follow him; in the exercise of the graces of humility, love, patience, self-denial, and resignation of will to the will of God; and in the discharge of duty, walking, in some measure, as he walked. For they know his voice; in the Gospel, which directs and encourages them to exercise grace in him, and to walk in the path of duty: this they know by the majesty and authority of it; and by the power with which it comes to their souls; and by its speaking of him, and leading to him; and by the evenness, harmony, and consistency of it. The Persic version renders the whole thus; "when he calls and leads out the sheep, they go before him, and their lambs after them, for they know his voice".
Tyndale Open Study Notes
10:4 A good shepherd always leads his sheep; he never drives them. When they recognize his voice, they trust his leadership and follow him.
John 10:4
Jesus the Good Shepherd
3The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen for his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.4When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.5But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will flee from him because they do not recognize his voice.”
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
The Glory of God - Part 2
By T. Austin-Sparks2.3K46:59Glory Of GodMAT 6:33JHN 10:4JHN 11:1JHN 11:47ROM 11:33PHP 3:10REV 21:23In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding the teachings of John's Gospel and applying them to our own lives. He highlights the idea that the Lord Jesus has control over every situation and that true transformation requires a new creation in life, not just patching up the old. The speaker also emphasizes the priority of seeking the glory of God in our lives and the need to align our priorities with His. Lastly, he discusses the attitude of Jesus towards humanity and how it reflects God's attitude towards human life as it is.
The Appearing of Resurrection and the Giving of Power
By Newman Sze8201:22:11MAT 28:1MAT 28:19MRK 16:15LUK 24:44JHN 20:19JHN 21:25In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of the 40 days that Jesus spent on earth after His resurrection. He explains that during this time, Jesus trained His disciples to shift their focus from external things to internal revelation, from the flesh to the Holy Spirit, and from the law to life. The speaker shares a personal anecdote about a turbulent airplane ride to illustrate the need for Christians to rise above fear and rely on the Holy Spirit. He concludes by urging the audience to prioritize their personal encounter with the Lord and the experience of being filled with the Holy Spirit.
He Sees It First
By F.B. Meyer0Trust in God's GuidanceFaithPSA 23:1ISA 43:2JHN 10:4F.B. Meyer emphasizes that Jesus, the Good Shepherd, goes before us in every situation we face, encountering challenges and dangers ahead of us. He reassures us that we can trust Him to lead us through difficulties, as He has experienced them Himself and knows our limits. The sermon encourages believers to follow Christ without anxiety about the future, focusing instead on taking one step at a time in faith. This blessed life is characterized by a calm trust in the Shepherd's guidance, allowing Him to navigate the path for us.
Ninth Day: "He Leadeth me."
By J. Wilbur Chapman0MAT 5:16JHN 10:4JHN 13:15COL 3:171JN 2:6J. Wilbur Chapman preaches about the importance of gracious activity in the Christian experience, emphasizing the balance between contemplation and action, following the shepherd's leadership, and reflecting the life of Jesus in all aspects of our lives. He highlights the necessity of both the green-pasture experience of being fed by the Good Shepherd and the satisfaction found in serving others. Chapman stresses the significance of having others recognize that we have been with Jesus through our actions, words, and presence, making our Christian life a testimony of His love and grace.
Manifest Presence of God - Part 13
By Walter Beuttler01SA 3:71KI 3:5PSA 94:9MAT 7:21JHN 10:4JHN 10:27REV 2:7REV 3:20Walter Beuttler preaches on the importance of hearing and responding to the Lord's knocking at the door of our hearts, emphasizing that this opportunity is available to all who love and obey the Lord, regardless of their spiritual maturity or holiness. He warns against taking the Lord's approach for granted, using the example of Solomon's potential uncertainty in eternity despite his intimate relationship with God. Beuttler shares a personal experience of seeking the Lord's Spirit after a time of discipline, highlighting the significance of having a 'hearing heart' to discern the Lord's voice.
Epistle 123
By George Fox0EZK 47:12JHN 10:4EPH 2:2COL 4:61JN 5:9REV 6:13George Fox preaches about the everlasting seed of God that brings steadfastness, life eternal, and reigns over all that changes in the world. He emphasizes the importance of being in Christ, the second Adam, to find rest, peace, and freedom from the turmoil of the fall in Adam. Fox highlights the contrast between those in the fall, filled with lusts and worldly desires, and those in Christ, filled with light, truth, and righteousness. He encourages listeners to heed the voice of Christ, the unchanging shepherd, who gives abundant eternal life to those who follow Him.
Divine Direction
By Denis Lyle02KI 8:1PSA 32:8PSA 146:9ISA 58:11MAT 19:29JHN 10:4JHN 21:18ROM 12:2ROM 16:6HEB 11:8Denis Lyle preaches on Divine Direction, using examples from the Bible to illustrate how individuals sought and followed God's guidance in their lives. The sermon emphasizes the importance of seeking God's will in decision-making, highlighting the need for personal, particular, and partial guidance from God. It explores the themes of Guidance, Obedience, and Providence, showcasing how individuals like the woman from Shunem obeyed God's directives despite uncertainties, costs, and objections, ultimately experiencing God's providential care and restoration.
Put Forth
By Charles E. Cowman0DEU 31:8PSA 23:4PSA 121:8ISA 52:12JHN 10:4Charles E. Cowman preaches about the comforting truth that God goes before us in all circumstances, just like the Oriental shepherd who was always ahead of his sheep, ensuring their safety. Despite the uncertainties and fears of tomorrow, God is already there, guiding and protecting us. The Blessed Life is described as following the Shepherd one step at a time, not burdened by anxieties about the future but trusting in God's leading. The poem 'HE GOES BEFORE' emphasizes the assurance and peace that come from knowing God is ahead of us, providing strength, comfort, and joy along the way.
The Sheep
By Harriet N. Cook0GEN 4:21SA 16:111KI 8:63JOB 1:3PSA 23:1ISA 40:11ISA 53:6LUK 15:4JHN 10:4JHN 10:11Harriet N. Cook preaches about the significance of sheep and lambs in the Bible, highlighting how they are frequently mentioned and the beautiful descriptions given about them. She discusses various biblical figures like Abel, Job, Solomon, Rachel, and David who were shepherds or had interactions with sheep. Cook emphasizes the relationship between shepherds and their sheep, drawing parallels to how Christ is our shepherd and we are His sheep who should follow His voice. She also touches on the dangers that sheep face, the need for protection, and the tendency of sheep to stray, relating it to how we, as humans, often stray away from Jesus, our good shepherd.
The Voice of the Son of God
By T. Austin-Sparks0Spiritual ResurrectionHearing God's VoiceJHN 5:25JHN 6:63JHN 8:43JHN 10:4JHN 11:43T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the profound significance of hearing the voice of the Son of God, as illustrated through the story of Lazarus. He explains that true spiritual hearing transcends mere physical ability and is a sovereign act of God that brings about a living relationship with Christ. The sermon highlights that only those who are spiritually 'dead' can truly hear this voice, leading to a transformative faith that redefines existence and purpose. Sparks warns against superficial Christianity, urging believers to seek a deeper, experiential knowledge of Christ that is rooted in divine revelation rather than human persuasion. Ultimately, he calls for a recognition of the eternal implications of hearing God's voice, which brings life and hope even in the face of despair.
Pure Words
By Warren Wiersbe0PSA 12:1PSA 12:4JHN 10:4Warren Wiersbe delivers a sermon on the power of words as depicted in Psalms 12. He emphasizes the importance of standing for what is right, even when feeling deserted and alone in doing so. The psalm highlights the contrast between the prayers of the godly, the prideful speech of the wicked, and the promises of God. Wiersbe encourages listeners to find solace in God's pure and true promises amidst a world filled with lies and empty talk.
- Adam Clarke
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
He goeth before them - A sixth mark of a true pastor is, he gives them a good example: he not only preaches, but he lives, the truth of the Gospel; he enters into the depths of the salvation of God; and, having thus explored the path, he knows how to lead those who are entrusted to his care into the fullness of the blessings of the Gospel of peace. He who does not endeavor to realize in his own soul the truths which he preaches to others will soon be as salt without its savor; his preaching cannot be accompanied with that unction which alone can make it acceptable and profitable to those whose hearts are right with God. The minister who is in this state of salvation the sheep, genuine Christians, will follow, for they know his voice. It was the custom in the eastern countries for the shepherd to go at the head of his sheep, and they followed him from pasture to pasture. I have seen many hundreds of sheep thus following their shepherd on the extensive downs in the western parts of England.
John Gill Bible Commentary
And when he putteth forth his own sheep,.... The Ethiopic version reads, "when he leads them all out"; in order to bring them into proper pastures: he goeth before them; in allusion to the eastern shepherds, who when they put out their flocks, did not, as ours do, drive them before them, and follow after them, at least not always, but went before them: so Christ, the great shepherd, goes before his flock, not only to provide for them, but by way of example to them; in many instances he is an ensample to the flock, as under shepherds, according to the measure of grace received, should be: he has left them an example in many respects, that they should tread in his steps: and the sheep follow him; in the exercise of the graces of humility, love, patience, self-denial, and resignation of will to the will of God; and in the discharge of duty, walking, in some measure, as he walked. For they know his voice; in the Gospel, which directs and encourages them to exercise grace in him, and to walk in the path of duty: this they know by the majesty and authority of it; and by the power with which it comes to their souls; and by its speaking of him, and leading to him; and by the evenness, harmony, and consistency of it. The Persic version renders the whole thus; "when he calls and leads out the sheep, they go before him, and their lambs after them, for they know his voice".
Tyndale Open Study Notes
10:4 A good shepherd always leads his sheep; he never drives them. When they recognize his voice, they trust his leadership and follow him.