John 10:7-8

Jesus introduced another of His "I am" claims. He professed to be the door or gate of the sheepfold (cf. John 1:51; John 14:6). Some commentators have pointed out that some ancient Near Eastern shepherds slept in the gateways of their sheepfolds and so served as human gates. [Note: E.g., Beasley-Murray, p. 169.] This may seem to alleviate the incongruity of Jesus being both the Shepherd and the gate. However the other differences in the two pictures of the fold presented in John 10:1-5; John 10:7-18 argue for separate though similar illustrations rather than one harmonious illustration. This pericope does not simply explain the previous illustration, but it develops certain metaphors in that illustration.

Jesus contrasted Himself as the gate with the thieves and robbers who preceded Him. He provided protection and security for His sheep whereas the others sought to exploit them. The thieves and robbers in this context refer to the religious leaders of Jesus’ day (cf. John 10:1). They are obviously not a reference to Israel’s faithful former leaders such as Abraham, Moses, and other true prophets.