John 10:3 Meaning and Explanation
“To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The gatekeeper opens to the shepherd, and the sheep answer his voice as he calls each one by name and leads them out.
What Does John 10:3 Mean?
Jesus fills in the morning scene at the fold. The porter, who has guarded the gate overnight, recognizes the shepherd and opens to him. Shepherds in that land commonly named their sheep and led from the front, calling rather than driving, and each flock sorted itself out of the shared fold at the sound of its own shepherd.
Here the parable turns tender. The Shepherd does not summon the flock as a mass; he calls his own by name, one by one — as he would call Mary in the garden and Saul on the road. To be his sheep is to be personally known. And his calling has a direction: he leads them out, toward pasture, toward life. Faith begins with recognizing that voice and rising to follow it.
Frequently Asked Questions About John 10:3
What does John 10:3 mean?
The gatekeeper opens to the shepherd, and the sheep answer his voice as he calls each one by name and leads them out.