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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>John 10:8 All who came before Me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/john/10-8.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/13/43_Jhn_10_08.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="John 10:8 - Jesus the Good Shepherd" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="All who came before Me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/john/10-8.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/john/10-8.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/john/">John</a> > <a href="/john/10.htm">Chapter 10</a> > Verse 8</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad8.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/john/10-7.htm" title="John 10:7">◄</a> John 10:8 <a href="/john/10-9.htm" title="John 10:9">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/john/10.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/john/10.htm">New International Version</a> All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. <a href="/nlt/john/10.htm">New Living Translation</a> All who came before me were thieves and robbers. But the true sheep did not listen to them. <a href="/esv/john/10.htm">English Standard Version</a> All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. <a href="/bsb/john/10.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> All who came before Me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. <a href="/blb/john/10.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. <a href="/kjv/john/10.htm">King James Bible</a> All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. <a href="/nkjv/john/10.htm">New King James Version</a> All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. <a href="/nasb_/john/10.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> All those who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. <a href="/nasb/john/10.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. <a href="/nasb77/john/10.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. <a href="/lsb/john/10.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. <a href="/amp/john/10.htm">Amplified Bible</a> All who came before Me [as false messiahs and self-appointed leaders] are thieves and robbers, but the [true] sheep did not hear them. <a href="/csb/john/10.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep didn’t listen to them. <a href="/hcsb/john/10.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep didn&#8217t listen to them. <a href="/asv/john/10.htm">American Standard Version</a> All that came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. <a href="/cev/john/10.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Everyone who came before me was a thief or a robber, and the sheep did not listen to any of them. <a href="/erv/john/10.htm">English Revised Version</a> All that came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. <a href="/gwt/john/10.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> All who came before I did were thieves or robbers. However, the sheep didn't respond to them. <a href="/gnt/john/10.htm">Good News Translation</a> All others who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. <a href="/isv/john/10.htm">International Standard Version</a> All who came before me are thieves and bandits, but the sheep didn't listen to them. <a href="/msb/john/10.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> All who came were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. <a href="/net/john/10.htm">NET Bible</a> All who came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. <a href="/nheb/john/10.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. <a href="/wbt/john/10.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. <a href="/wey/john/10.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> All who have come before me are thieves and robbers; but the sheep would not listen to them. <a href="/web/john/10.htm">World English Bible</a> All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep didn’t listen to them. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/john/10.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> all, as many as came before Me, are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them; <a href="/blb/john/10.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. <a href="/ylt/john/10.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> all, as many as came before me, are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them; <a href="/slt/john/10.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> All who came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep heard them not.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/john/10.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> All others, as many as have come, are thieves and robbers: and the sheep heard them not. <a href="/cpdv/john/10.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> All others, as many as have come, are thieves and robbers, and the sheep did not listen to them. <a href="/nabre/john/10.htm">New American Bible</a> All who came [before me] are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. <a href="/nrsvce/john/10.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/john/10.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> All who have come are thieves and bandits, if the sheep did not hear them. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/john/10.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> “And all who had come were thieves and robbers, but the flock did not hear them.”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/john/10.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> All that came before me were thieves and robbers; but the sheep did not hear them. <a href="/godbey/john/10.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> <FR>All so many as came were thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.<Fr> <a href="/haweis/john/10.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> All, as many as have gone before me, are thieves and robbers: but the sheep hearkened not to them. <a href="/mace/john/10.htm">Mace New Testament</a> they who have personated me, are all thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not follow them. <a href="/wey/john/10.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> All who have come before me are thieves and robbers; but the sheep would not listen to them. <a href="/worrell/john/10.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> <FR>All who came before Me are thieves and robbers; but the sheep did not hear them.<Fr> <a href="/worsley/john/10.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> <FR>All that came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not regard them.<Fr> <a href="/parallel/john/10-8.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ixy2bchmXZ0?start=3584" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/john/10.htm">Jesus the Good Shepherd</a> …7So He said to them again, “Truly, truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8<a href="/greek/3956.htm" title="3956: pantes (Adj-NMP) -- All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.">All</a> <a href="/greek/3745.htm" title="3745: hosoi (RelPro-NMP) -- How much, how great, how many, as great as, as much. By reduplication from hos; as As.">who</a> <a href="/greek/2064.htm" title="2064: ēlthon (V-AIA-3P) -- To come, go. ">came</a> <a href="/greek/4253.htm" title="4253: pro (Prep) -- A primary preposition; fore, i.e. In front of, prior to.">before</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: emou (PPro-G1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">Me</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: eisin (V-PIA-3P) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">were</a> <a href="/greek/2812.htm" title="2812: kleptai (N-NMP) -- A thief. From klepto; a stealer.">thieves</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/3027.htm" title="3027: lēstai (N-NMP) -- A robber, brigand, bandit. From leizomai; a brigand.">robbers,</a> <a href="/greek/235.htm" title="235: all’ (Conj) -- But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.">but</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ta (Art-NNP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/4263.htm" title="4263: probata (N-NNP) -- A sheep. Probably neuter of a presumed derivative of probaino; something that walks forward, i.e., a sheep.">sheep</a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: ouk (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not."></a> <a href="/greek/191.htm" title="191: ēkousan (V-AIA-3P) -- To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear.">did not listen to</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autōn (PPro-GM3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">them.</a> 9I am the gate. If anyone enters through Me, he will be saved. He will come in and go out and find pasture.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/ezekiel/34-2.htm">Ezekiel 34:2-10</a> “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Woe to the shepherds of Israel, who only feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed their flock? / You eat the fat, wear the wool, and butcher the fattened sheep, but you do not feed the flock. / You have not strengthened the weak, healed the sick, bound up the injured, brought back the strays, or searched for the lost. Instead, you have ruled them with violence and cruelty. ... <a href="/jeremiah/23-1.htm">Jeremiah 23:1-2</a> “Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture!” declares the LORD. / Therefore this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says about the shepherds who tend My people: “You have scattered My flock and driven them away, and have not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for the evil of your deeds, declares the LORD. <a href="/zechariah/11-4.htm">Zechariah 11:4-17</a> This is what the LORD my God says: “Pasture the flock marked for slaughter, / whose buyers slaughter them without remorse. Those who sell them say, ‘Blessed be the LORD, for I am rich!’ Even their own shepherds have no compassion on them. / For I will no longer have compassion on the people of the land, declares the LORD, but behold, I will cause each man to fall into the hands of his neighbor and his king, who will devastate the land, and I will not deliver it from their hands.” ... <a href="/matthew/7-15.htm">Matthew 7:15</a> Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. <a href="/matthew/23-13.htm">Matthew 23:13</a> Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let in those who wish to enter. <a href="/acts/5-36.htm">Acts 5:36-37</a> Some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men joined him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. / After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and drew away people after him. He too perished, and all his followers were scattered. <a href="/acts/20-29.htm">Acts 20:29-30</a> I know that after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. / Even from your own number, men will rise up and distort the truth to draw away disciples after them. <a href="/2_peter/2-1.htm">2 Peter 2:1</a> Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. <a href="/1_john/4-1.htm">1 John 4:1</a> Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world. <a href="/jeremiah/14-14.htm">Jeremiah 14:14</a> “The prophets are prophesying lies in My name,” replied the LORD. “I did not send them or appoint them or speak to them. They are prophesying to you a false vision, a worthless divination, the futility and delusion of their own minds. <a href="/jeremiah/23-21.htm">Jeremiah 23:21</a> I did not send these prophets, yet they have run with their message; I did not speak to them, yet they have prophesied. <a href="/isaiah/56-10.htm">Isaiah 56:10-11</a> Israel’s watchmen are blind, they are all oblivious; they are all mute dogs, they cannot bark; they are dreamers lying around, loving to slumber. / Like ravenous dogs, they are never satisfied. They are shepherds with no discernment; they all turn to their own way, each one seeking his own gain: <a href="/micah/3-5.htm">Micah 3:5</a> This is what the LORD says: “As for the prophets who lead My people astray, who proclaim peace while they chew with their teeth, but declare war against one who puts nothing in their mouths: <a href="/matthew/24-24.htm">Matthew 24:24</a> For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive even the elect, if that were possible. <a href="/mark/13-22.htm">Mark 13:22</a> For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders to deceive even the elect, if that were possible.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.came.<a href="/john/10-1.htm">John 10:1</a> 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.<a href="/isaiah/56-10.htm">Isaiah 56:10-12</a> His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber… <a href="/ezekiel/22-25.htm">Ezekiel 22:25-28</a> There is a conspiracy of her prophets in the midst thereof, like a roaring lion ravening the prey; they have devoured souls; they have taken the treasure and precious things; they have made her many widows in the midst thereof… but.<a href="/john/10-5.htm">John 10:5,27</a> And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/john/10-3.htm">Ear</a> <a href="/john/10-3.htm">Hear</a> <a href="/luke/21-34.htm">Heed</a> <a href="/psalms/147-2.htm">Outlaws</a> <a href="/luke/19-46.htm">Robbers</a> <a href="/john/10-7.htm">Sheep</a> <a href="/luke/19-46.htm">Thieves</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/john/10-16.htm">Ear</a> <a href="/john/10-16.htm">Hear</a> <a href="/john/10-16.htm">Heed</a> <a href="/1_kings/11-24.htm">Outlaws</a> <a href="/acts/19-37.htm">Robbers</a> <a href="/john/10-10.htm">Sheep</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/6-10.htm">Thieves</a><div class="vheading2">John 10</div>1. <a href="/john/10-1.htm">Jesus is the door, and the good shepherd.</a> 19. <a href="/john/10-19.htm">Diverse opinions of him.</a> 23. <a href="/john/10-23.htm">He proves by his works that he is Jesus the Son of God;</a> 31. <a href="/john/10-31.htm">escapes the Jews;</a> 39. <a href="/john/10-39.htm">and goes again beyond Jordan, where many believe on him.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/john/10.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/john/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/john/10.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>All who came before Me This phrase refers to those who claimed to be the Messiah or spiritual leaders before Jesus. In the historical context, various individuals arose in Israel claiming to be the deliverer or leader, often leading people astray. This can be seen in the context of false prophets and leaders mentioned in the Old Testament, such as in <a href="/jeremiah/23.htm">Jeremiah 23:1-2</a>, where God condemns the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of His pasture. Jesus positions Himself as the true shepherd, contrasting with those who came before Him.were thieves and robbers The terms "thieves" and "robbers" suggest deceit and violence. In the cultural context of first-century Judea, thieves would sneak in to steal, while robbers would use force. This imagery is used to describe false leaders who exploit and harm the people for personal gain. <a href="/ezekiel/34-2.htm">Ezekiel 34:2-4</a> also speaks against the shepherds of Israel who fed themselves rather than the flock, highlighting the selfishness and destructiveness of these false leaders. Jesus, in contrast, offers protection and genuine care for His followers.but the sheep did not listen to them This indicates that true believers, represented as sheep, were not ultimately deceived by these false leaders. In biblical symbolism, sheep are often used to represent God's people, as seen in <a href="/psalms/23.htm">Psalm 23</a> and <a href="/isaiah/53-6.htm">Isaiah 53:6</a>. The idea that the sheep did not listen suggests a divine protection and discernment given to those who are truly God's. This echoes Jesus' teaching in <a href="/john/10-27.htm">John 10:27</a>, where He states that His sheep hear His voice and follow Him, emphasizing the intimate relationship between Jesus and His followers.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a> The speaker of this verse, presenting Himself as the true shepherd in contrast to false leaders. 2. <a href="/topical/t/thieves_and_robbers.htm">Thieves and Robbers</a> Refers to false prophets and leaders who misled the people of Israel before Jesus' coming. 3. <a href="/topical/s/sheep.htm">Sheep</a> Symbolizes the followers of Christ, who recognize and respond to the true shepherd's voice. 4. <a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a> The primary audience of Jesus' ministry, often led astray by false leaders. 5. <a href="/topical/p/pharisees_and_religious_leaders.htm">Pharisees and Religious Leaders</a> Implied in the context as those who misled the people, acting as "thieves and robbers."<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/d/discernment_of_true_leadership.htm">Discernment of True Leadership</a> Believers must discern between true and false spiritual leaders by their alignment with Christ's teachings. <a href="/topical/t/the_voice_of_the_shepherd.htm">The Voice of the Shepherd</a> True followers of Christ recognize His voice and teachings, distinguishing them from false doctrines. <a href="/topical/h/historical_context_of_false_leaders.htm">Historical Context of False Leaders</a> Understanding the historical context of false leaders in Israel helps us recognize similar patterns today. <a href="/topical/p/protection_in_christ.htm">Protection in Christ</a> Jesus, as the true shepherd, offers protection and guidance, unlike the false leaders who exploit the flock. <a href="/topical/f/faithfulness_to_christ.htm">Faithfulness to Christ</a> Believers are called to remain faithful to Christ, the true shepherd, amidst competing voices and teachings.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_john_10.htm">Top 10 Lessons from John 10</a> <a href="/q/what_is_sheep_theft_and_prevention.htm">What is sheep stealing and how can it be prevented?</a> <a href="/q/does_the_bible_support_eternal_security.htm">Is the doctrine of eternal security supported by the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/why_does_leviticus_20_10_mandate_death.htm">In Leviticus 20:10, how can this text mandate capital punishment for adultery when other passages in the Bible offer alternative outcomes for similar offenses (e.g., John 8:1-11)?</a> <a href="/q/who_are_the_'other_sheep'_in_john_10_16.htm">Who exactly are the 'other sheep' in John 10:16, and why is there no clear historical record identifying them?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/john/10.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(8) All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers.--Comp. Note on <a href="/john/10-1.htm" title="Truly, truly, I say to you, He that enters not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.">John 10:1</a>. The Sinaitic MS. and several of the early versions read this verse without the words translated "before Me," but the balance of authority is strongly in their favour; and the fact of their being hard to understand, or having been misunderstood, is the probable reason of their omission. Retaining them, as we seem bound to do, we are also bound to give them their ordinary temporal meaning. There can be but one rendering which suggests itself to the unbiassed mind, and that is the rendering of our version. The Greek words and the English words are equally plain, and other renderings are due to the exigencies of interpretation.What, then, do the words mean? Their force seems to be all-inclusive; and yet they cannot contradict Christ's own words, which have excluded Abraham, Moses, the prophets, John the Baptist, from any possibility of such thoughts. (See <a href="/john/4-22.htm" title="You worship you know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.">John 4:22</a>; <a href="/john/5-33.htm" title="You sent to John, and he bore witness to the truth.">John 5:33</a>; <a href="/john/5-39.htm" title="Search the scriptures; for in them you think you have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.">John 5:39</a>; <a href="/john/5-45.htm" title="Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuses you, even Moses, in whom you trust.">John 5:45</a>; <a href="/john/7-19.htm" title="Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keeps the law? Why go you about to kill me?">John 7:19</a>.) They cannot, on the other hand, be limited to false Christs, who did not come before but after our Lord. (Comp. Note on <a href="/john/5-43.htm" title="I am come in my Father's name, and you receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him you will receive.">John 5:43</a>.) Here, as often, the true meaning seems for the most part to have been overlooked because men have sought it elsewhere than in the words themselves, and in their place among other words. The thought which precedes and which follows is that Jesus is Himself "the door." "All that ever came before Me" is in immediate contrast to this thought, and the sense is, "all professing to be themselves the door, to be the means by which men enter the fold, to be the Mediator between man and God." The Old Testament teachers cannot be meant, because they witnessed to the true door. But there had been growing up since the return from the Captivity, and the close of the Old Testament canon, a priestly caste in the place of the prophetic schools, and these men had been in practice, if not in word, claiming for themselves the position of door to the kingdom of God. There were Hillels and Shammais, heads of parties and of factions, whose word was to their followers as the word of God; there were Pharisees then standing round Him who had solemnly decreed that any one who should confess Him to be the Messiah should be shut out from Temple and from synagogue, and that they themselves would in God's name pronounce a curse upon his head (<a href="/john/9-22.htm" title="These words spoke his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue.">John 9:22</a>). As "thieves" were they, and as "robbers;" wolves in sheep's clothing, stealing into the flock of Christ and rending those who were the true sheep. (Comp. the analogous language of <a href="/luke/11-52.htm" title="Woe to you, lawyers! for you have taken away the key of knowledge: you entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in you hindered.">Luke 11:52</a>.) The lawyers closed the door and plundered and oppressed those whom they kept outside. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/john/10.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 8. - All that came before me are thieves and robbers. Great difficulty has been felt by commentators in understanding "before me." The words clearly gave the early Gnostic heretics a text on which they established their dualistic rejection of the old dispensation. Their absence from certain texts led Augustine and others to emphasize the word "came." "All who came," i.e. in their own strength or wisdom, when not "sent" or authorized by God. Other endeavors have been made (see Meyer and Lunge) to give it a non-temporal meaning, such as χωρίς, "independently of me." Wolf and Olshausen make πρὸ equivalent to ὐπὲρ, "in the place" or "in the stead of me" (so Lunge, Lampe, Schleusner). De Wette and others accept the temporal meaning, "before," i.e. in point of time, and include under it the entire corpus of Old Testament saints and teachers, and therefore regard the saying as inconsistent with the gentleness of Christ. But with <a href="/john/5-39.htm">John 5:39, 45-47</a>, and many other passages in this Gospel, it is certain the words could not mean to denounce all who came as teachers or shepherds before him in mere point of time as "thieves and robbers," whom the sheep did not hear. Therefore the πρὸ must be to some extent modified in meaning. We agree with Westcott and Godet in limiting πρὸ ἐμού, by throwing the emphasis on the "came," and by adding, moreover, to it the essential point, "came making themselves doors of the sheep" - claiming to have the "key of knowledge," professing vainly to open or shut the door of heaven. That is, no other has ever had the right or claim to be such "a door." The Baptist, the prophets, one by one, Abraham and Moses, in their day made no such profession. The dignity belongs to Christ alone. The language may receive accentuation from the pressing urgency of false Christs, as well as the hopeless system of Pharisaic pride. Theme sees here the mere dressing out of St. Paul's language, condemnatory of false prophets and ravening wolves who would not spare the flock of Christ (<a href="/acts/20-29.htm">Acts 20:29</a>), and Christ's own words in the synoptists (<a href="/matthew/7-15.htm">Matthew 7:15</a>; <a href="/matthew/23-13.htm">Matthew 23:13</a>, etc.). Special reference is made to the ceremonial superstitions, to "the hedge about the Law," to the cruel slavery of modern Pharisaism, which had done what neither prophets nor priests of old had attempted. Archdeacon Watkins emphasizes the present tense, "are thieves," etc., making Christ's reference obvious to the lawyers and scribes of his own day, who were closing the door, and plundering those whom they kept out of the kingdom. But the sheep did not hear them. The true sheep have not been seduced by them. The teaching of these Pharisees has not prevailed over susceptible souls. <a href="/commentaries/john/10-8.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>All πάντες (pantes) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3956.htm">Strong's 3956: </a> All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole. who ὅσοι (hosoi) Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3745.htm">Strong's 3745: </a> How much, how great, how many, as great as, as much. By reduplication from hos; as As. came ἦλθον (ēlthon) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2064.htm">Strong's 2064: </a> To come, go. before πρὸ (pro) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_4253.htm">Strong's 4253: </a> A primary preposition; 'fore', i.e. In front of, prior to. Me ἐμοῦ (emou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. were εἰσὶν (eisin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. thieves κλέπται (kleptai) Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2812.htm">Strong's 2812: </a> A thief. From klepto; a stealer. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. robbers, λῃσταί (lēstai) Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3027.htm">Strong's 3027: </a> A robber, brigand, bandit. From leizomai; a brigand. but ἀλλ’ (all’) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_235.htm">Strong's 235: </a> But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise. the τὰ (ta) Article - Nominative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. sheep πρόβατα (probata) Noun - Nominative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4263.htm">Strong's 4263: </a> A sheep. Probably neuter of a presumed derivative of probaino; something that walks forward, i.e., a sheep. did not listen to ἤκουσαν (ēkousan) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_191.htm">Strong's 191: </a> To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear. them. αὐτῶν (autōn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/john/10-8.htm">John 10:8 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/john/10-8.htm">John 10:8 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/john/10-8.htm">John 10:8 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/john/10-8.htm">John 10:8 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/john/10-8.htm">John 10:8 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/john/10-8.htm">John 10:8 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/john/10-8.htm">John 10:8 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/john/10-8.htm">John 10:8 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/john/10-8.htm">John 10:8 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/john/10-8.htm">John 10:8 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/john/10-8.htm">NT Gospels: John 10:8 All who came before me are thieves (Jhn Jo Jn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/john/10-7.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="John 10:7"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="John 10:7" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/john/10-9.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="John 10:9"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="John 10:9" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>