John 10:7

KJV

Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then {G3767} said {G2036} Jesus {G2424} unto them {G846} again {G3825}, Verily {G281}, verily {G281}, I say {G3004} unto you {G5213},{G3754} I {G1473} am {G1510} the door {G2374} of the sheep {G4263}.

Complete Jewish Bible

So Yeshua said to them again, “Yes, indeed! I tell you that I am the gate for the sheep.

Berean Standard Bible

So He said to them again, “Truly, truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep.

American Standard Version

Jesus therefore said unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jesus reiterates and clarifies His identity to His listeners, particularly the Pharisees, after they failed to grasp His earlier parable of the sheepfold. He profoundly declares, "I am the door of the sheep," establishing Himself as the exclusive and singular means of access into God's flock, the source of salvation, security, and true spiritual life for all who believe in Him. This declaration underscores His divine authority and unique mediatorial role between God and humanity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** [John 10:7](/john/10-7 "John 10:7 - Jesus Declares Himself the Door") follows directly from Jesus's initial parable of the sheepfold in [John 10:1-6](/john/10-1-6 "John 10:1-6 - The Parable of the Sheepfold"). In that parable, Jesus described a shepherd who enters the sheepfold by the door, while thieves and robbers climb over the wall. The sheep know the shepherd's voice and follow him out to pasture. The Pharisees, who were present and had just witnessed Jesus heal the man born blind in [John 9](/john/9 "John 9 - The Healing of the Man Born Blind"), did not understand the meaning of this allegory. Therefore, Jesus repeats His address to them, using the emphatic "Verily, verily" to introduce a more direct and explicit explanation of His identity and role, moving from the allegorical "door" in the parable to His personal identification as "the door." This transition clarifies that He is not merely speaking of a general principle but revealing His unique person.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The imagery of sheep, shepherds, and sheepfolds was deeply familiar to Jesus's audience, particularly in agrarian societies of ancient Israel. Sheepfolds were common enclosures, often made of stone walls, with a single entrance. During the day, a shepherd would lead his flock out to pasture, and at night, the sheep would be gathered into the fold for protection. Sometimes, the shepherd himself would lie down in the doorway, literally becoming the "door," preventing predators or thieves from entering and ensuring the sheep could not stray without his knowledge. This practice vividly illustrates the shepherd's protective role and intimate relationship with his flock. The Pharisees, as spiritual leaders, were expected to be shepherds of Israel, but Jesus's teaching implicitly critiques their failure to genuinely care for the flock, positioning Himself as the true and faithful shepherd and the sole legitimate access point to God's people.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in John's Gospel. Firstly, it emphasizes **Exclusive Access to God**. By declaring Himself "the door," Jesus asserts that He is the singular and only legitimate means of entering into a saving relationship with God and His spiritual flock. This theme is echoed later when Jesus states, "[I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life")". Secondly, the declaration highlights **Security and Protection** for believers. As the door, Jesus stands as the ultimate guardian, protecting His sheep from spiritual dangers, false teachers, and those who seek to harm or mislead. Entering through Him guarantees safety, provision, and ultimately, salvation and abundant life, as He elaborates in [John 10:9-10](/john/10-9-10 "John 10:9-10 - Jesus as the Door and Giver of Abundant Life"). Finally, this verse contains another of Jesus's profound **Divine "I AM" Statements** (Greek: *egō eimi*), which echo God's self-revelation to Moses in [Exodus 3:14](/exodus/3-14 "Exodus 3:14 - God's Name, I AM WHO I AM"). By asserting "I am the door," Jesus claims divine authority and unique identity, positioning Himself as the sole mediator and indispensable link between God and humanity.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Verily (Greek, _amḗn'_):** Of Hebrew origin (אָמֵן); properly, firm, i.e. (figuratively) trustworthy; adverbially, surely (often as interjection, so be it):--amen, verily. The repetition of "Verily, verily" (amen amen) is a distinctive feature of Jesus's teaching in John's Gospel, appearing 25 times. It serves as a solemn and emphatic introduction, signaling that what follows is an absolutely true, weighty, and divinely authoritative statement that demands complete attention and belief from the listeners. It underscores the profound significance of Jesus's subsequent declaration.
* **I am (Greek, _egṓ eimí'_):** A combination of G1473 (egṓ) and G1510 (eimí), emphasizing the speaker's existence and identity. Egṓ (I) is a primary pronoun of the first person, used when emphatic. Eimí (am) is the first person singular present indicative, used only when emphatic, meaning 'I exist'. Together, they form a potent declaration of self-existence and divine authority. This phrase is one of Jesus's seven "I AM" statements in John's Gospel (e.g., "I am the bread of life," "I am the light of the world"), each revealing a crucial aspect of His divine nature and salvific role. By using "I am" without a predicate (as in [John 8:58](/john/8-58 "John 8:58 - Before Abraham was, I am")), Jesus implicitly claims the divine name of God revealed to Moses in [Exodus 3:14](/exodus/3-14 "Exodus 3:14 - God's Name, I AM WHO I AM"), asserting His pre-existence and deity.
* **Door (Greek, _thýra'_):** Apparently a primary word; a portal or entrance (the opening or the closure, literally or figuratively):--door, gate. In this context, "door" is not merely a passive opening but represents the active means of access, protection, and regulation. As the "door," Jesus is the one who grants or denies entry, controls passage, and provides security. This imagery conveys His exclusive authority and indispensable role in providing access to God's spiritual fold and the abundant life found within it.
#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then said Jesus unto them again":** This phrase indicates a continuation and clarification of Jesus's previous discourse, specifically the parable of the sheepfold in [John 10:1-6](/john/10-1-6 "John 10:1-6 - The Parable of the Sheepfold"). The word "again" (Greek: *pálin*) signals that Jesus is re-engaging with His audience, likely the Pharisees, who had failed to comprehend His earlier allegorical teaching. He is now moving from the parabolic to the explicit, directly applying the imagery to Himself.
* **"Verily, verily, I say unto you":** This solemn double affirmation (Greek: *amēn amēn*) underscores the absolute truth, certainty, and profound importance of the statement that follows. It is Jesus's characteristic way of drawing attention to a foundational spiritual reality or a divine revelation. It demands serious consideration and belief from His listeners, signaling that He is about to reveal a critical truth about His identity and mission.
* **"I am the door of the sheep":** This is a profound declaration of Jesus's identity and function. By stating "I am" (Greek: *egō eimí*), Jesus asserts His divine nature and unique authority. The phrase "the door of the sheep" identifies Him as the sole legitimate entrance into God's spiritual flock, the community of believers. This means that access to salvation, true spiritual life, and a relationship with God is exclusively through Him. He is the gatekeeper, the protector, and the one who provides safe passage and security for those who belong to Him.
#### Literary Devices
John 10:7 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey profound theological truths. The primary device is **Metaphor**, where Jesus directly identifies Himself as "the door of the sheep." This isn't a literal door but a symbolic representation of His unique role as the exclusive means of access to God's salvation and spiritual protection. The metaphor draws on the familiar imagery of ancient sheepfolds, where the door was the single point of entry and exit, often guarded by the shepherd himself. This highlights Jesus's indispensable mediatorial role. Furthermore, the **Repetition** of "Verily, verily" (amen amen) serves as a powerful rhetorical device. This emphatic double affirmation, characteristic of Jesus's teaching in John, functions as an attention-graber, signaling the absolute truth and solemnity of the subsequent declaration. It imbues the statement with divine authority and underscores its non-negotiable nature. The use of the divine "I AM" (Greek: *egō eimí*) is also a form of **Allusion** to God's self-revelation to Moses in [Exodus 3:14](/exodus/3-14 "Exodus 3:14 - God's Name, I AM WHO I AM"), subtly yet powerfully asserting Jesus's co-equality and shared essence with the Father.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 10:7 is a cornerstone declaration of Jesus's exclusive authority and indispensable role in salvation. It directly challenges any notion of alternative paths to God or spiritual life, asserting that true access to God's flock, and thus to salvation and eternal life, is found solely through Jesus Christ. This statement underscores the concept of salvation by grace through faith in Christ alone, emphasizing that no human effort, religious system, or other mediator can provide the genuine entry and security that Jesus offers. It also highlights Jesus's protective nature, portraying Him as the guardian who stands between His sheep and all spiritual dangers, including false teachers and destructive influences.
* [John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life")
* [Acts 4:12](/acts/4-12 "Acts 4:12 - Salvation in No One Else")
* [Ephesians 2:18](/ephesians/2-18 "Ephesians 2:18 - Access to the Father through one Spirit")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 10:7 offers profound assurance and clear direction for believers today. It calls us to place our complete trust in Jesus as the sole gateway to a relationship with God and the abundant life He promises. In a world with many competing spiritual claims and philosophies, this verse provides an anchor, reminding us that there is no other legitimate "door" to the Father. For those who have entered through Him, it brings immense security, knowing that Jesus Himself stands as our protector against all spiritual adversaries and deceptions. We are called to rest in His provision, follow His voice, and remain within His fold, confident in His ability to guard and guide us. This truth should inspire both deep gratitude for His exclusive grace and a renewed commitment to live in accordance with His will, recognizing His supreme authority over our lives.
#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I be tempted to seek "other doors" or alternative paths to spiritual fulfillment outside of Jesus Christ?**
* **How does Jesus's declaration as "the door" impact my understanding of security and protection in my spiritual life?**
* **What does it mean practically to "enter through Jesus" as the door, and how can I live out this truth more fully in my daily walk?**

### FAQ
**What does Jesus mean by "I am the door of the sheep"?**

Answer: When Jesus declares, "I am the door of the sheep," He is using a powerful **metaphor** to explain His unique and essential role in salvation and in the spiritual lives of believers. In ancient times, a sheepfold had one main entrance. The shepherd would lead the sheep in and out through this door, and sometimes even lie down in the doorway himself to act as a living barrier, protecting the sheep from predators or thieves. Jesus is asserting that He is the *only* legitimate way to enter into God's flock (the community of believers) and to find true spiritual life, security, and salvation. He is the exclusive access point to the Father, as further emphasized in [John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life").

**Why does Jesus use the phrase "Verily, verily" before this statement?**

Answer: The phrase "Verily, verily" (Greek: *amēn amēn*) is a distinctive literary device used by Jesus primarily in John's Gospel. It serves as a solemn and emphatic introduction to a statement, signaling that what follows is an absolutely true, weighty, and divinely authoritative declaration. It demands the listener's full attention and underscores the profound significance and certainty of the truth Jesus is about to reveal. In [John 10:7](/john/10-7 "John 10:7 - Jesus Declares Himself the Door"), it highlights the critical importance of understanding His identity as "the door."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[John 10:7](/john/10-7 "John 10:7 - Jesus Declares Himself the Door") finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus as the ultimate and exclusive access point to God, embodying the very essence of salvation and divine communion. In the Old Testament, access to God was often mediated through the temple, the priesthood, and sacrificial systems, all of which pointed forward to a greater reality. Jesus, as "the door," fulfills and supersedes these types and shadows. He is the living way, the new and living way that has been opened for us through His flesh, as [Hebrews 10:19-20](/hebrews/10-19-20 "Hebrews 10:19-20 - Access to God through Christ's Blood") proclaims. Through His sacrificial death and resurrection, Jesus tore the veil that separated humanity from God, providing direct and unhindered access to the Father. He is the one through whom we "have access by one Spirit unto the Father," as [Ephesians 2:18](/ephesians/2-18 "Ephesians 2:18 - Access to the Father through one Spirit") teaches. Furthermore, as the door, Jesus not only grants entry but also provides abundant life and security for His sheep, fulfilling the promise of a true shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep ([John 10:9-11](/john/10-9-11 "John 10:9-11 - Jesus as the Door and Good Shepherd")). He is the fulfillment of all redemptive history, the sole means by which humanity can enter into a saving relationship with God and experience the fullness of His grace and protection.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

John 14:6

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Ephesians 2:18

For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

John 10:1

¶ Verily, 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 10:9

I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

Ezekiel 34:31

And ye my flock, the flock of my pasture, [are] men, [and] I [am] your God, saith the Lord GOD.

Psalms 79:13

So we thy people and sheep of thy pasture will give thee thanks for ever: we will shew forth thy praise to all generations.

Hebrews 10:19

¶ Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,