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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 10:6 Jesus spoke to them using this illustration, but they did not understand what He was telling them.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/john/10-6.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/11/43_Jhn_10_06.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="John 10:6 - Jesus the Good Shepherd" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Jesus spoke to them using this illustration, but they did not understand what He was telling them." /><script type="application/javascript" 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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad6.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/10-5.htm" title="John 10:5">◄</a> John 10:6 <a href="/john/10-7.htm" title="John 10:7">►</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> Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them. <a href="/nlt/john/10.htm">New Living Translation</a> Those who heard Jesus use this illustration didn’t understand what he meant, <a href="/esv/john/10.htm">English Standard Version</a> This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. <a href="/bsb/john/10.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Jesus spoke to them using this illustration, but they did not understand what He was telling them. <a href="/blb/john/10.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Jesus spoke to them this allegory, but they did not know what it was that He was saying to them. <a href="/kjv/john/10.htm">King James Bible</a> This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them. <a href="/nkjv/john/10.htm">New King James Version</a> Jesus used this illustration, but they did not understand the things which He spoke to them. <a href="/nasb_/john/10.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Jesus told them this figure of speech, but they did not understand what the things which He was saying to them meant. <a href="/nasb/john/10.htm">NASB 1995</a> This figure of speech Jesus spoke to them, but they did not understand what those things were which He had been saying to them. <a href="/nasb77/john/10.htm">NASB 1977 </a> This figure of speech Jesus spoke to them, but they did not understand what those things were which He had been saying to them. <a href="/lsb/john/10.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> This figure of speech Jesus spoke to them, but they did not understand what those things were which He had been saying to them. <a href="/amp/john/10.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what He was talking about. <a href="/csb/john/10.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Jesus gave them this figure of speech, but they did not understand what he was telling them. <a href="/hcsb/john/10.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Jesus gave them this illustration, but they did not understand what He was telling them. <a href="/asv/john/10.htm">American Standard Version</a> This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them. <a href="/cev/john/10.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Jesus told the people this story. But they did not understand what he was talking about. <a href="/erv/john/10.htm">English Revised Version</a> This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them. <a href="/gwt/john/10.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Jesus used this illustration as he talked to the people, but they didn't understand what he meant. <a href="/gnt/john/10.htm">Good News Translation</a> Jesus told them this parable, but they did not understand what he meant. <a href="/isv/john/10.htm">International Standard Version</a> Jesus used this illustration with them, but they didn't understand what he was saying to them. <a href="/msb/john/10.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Jesus spoke to them using this illustration, but they did not understand what He was telling them. <a href="/net/john/10.htm">NET Bible</a> Jesus told them this parable, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. <a href="/nheb/john/10.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Jesus spoke this parable to them, but they did not understand what he was telling them. <a href="/wbt/john/10.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> This parable spoke Jesus to them: but they understood not what things they were which he spoke to them. <a href="/wey/john/10.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Jesus spoke to them in this figurative language, but they did not understand what He meant. <a href="/web/john/10.htm">World English Bible</a> Jesus spoke this parable to them, but they didn’t understand what he was telling them. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/john/10.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> Jesus spoke this allegory to them, and they did not know what the things were that He was speaking to them; <a href="/blb/john/10.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Jesus spoke to them this allegory, but they did not know what it was that He was saying to them. <a href="/ylt/john/10.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> This similitude spake Jesus to them, and they knew not what the things were that he was speaking to them; <a href="/slt/john/10.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> This proverb spake Jesus to then: and they knew not what things they were which he spake to them.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/john/10.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> This proverb Jesus spoke to them. But they understood not what he spoke to them. <a href="/cpdv/john/10.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Jesus spoke this proverb to them. But they did not understand what he was saying to them. <a href="/nabre/john/10.htm">New American Bible</a> Although Jesus used this figure of speech, they did not realize what he was trying to tell them. <a href="/nrsvce/john/10.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/john/10.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Jesus spoke this parable to them; but they did not understand what he was telling them. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/john/10.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> Yeshua spoke this allegory to them, but they did not know what he was speaking with them.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/john/10.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> This parable spoke Jesus to them; but they knew not the meaning of the things which he spoke to them. <a href="/godbey/john/10.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> He spoke this parable to them: but they did not know what things He was speaking to them. <a href="/haweis/john/10.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they knew nothing of the things which he spake to them.<CM> <a href="/mace/john/10.htm">Mace New Testament</a> Jesus talk'd to them in this figurative way: but they did not understand the meaning of his discourse. <a href="/wey/john/10.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Jesus spoke to them in this figurative language, but they did not understand what He meant. <a href="/worrell/john/10.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> This parable spake Jesus to them; but they understood not what things they were which He spake to them. <a href="/worsley/john/10.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> This parable Jesus spake unto them; but they did not understand what He said to them. <a href="/parallel/john/10-6.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=3571" 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> …5But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will flee from him because they do not recognize his voice.” 6<a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2424.htm" title="2424: Iēsous (N-NMS) -- Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.">Jesus</a> <a href="/greek/2036.htm" title="2036: eipen (V-AIA-3S) -- Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.">spoke</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autois (PPro-DM3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">to them using</a> <a href="/greek/3778.htm" title="3778: Tautēn (DPro-AFS) -- This; he, she, it. ">this</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēn (Art-AFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/3942.htm" title="3942: paroimian (N-AFS) -- A cryptic saying, an allegory; a proverb, figurative discourse. ">illustration,</a> <a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">but</a> <a href="/greek/1565.htm" title="1565: ekeinoi (DPro-NMP) -- That, that one there, yonder. From ekei; that one (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed.">they</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.">did not</a> <a href="/greek/1097.htm" title="1097: egnōsan (V-AIA-3P) -- A prolonged form of a primary verb; to know in a great variety of applications and with many implications.">understand</a> <a href="/greek/5101.htm" title="5101: tina (IPro-NNP) -- Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.">what</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: ēn (V-IIA-3S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist."></a> <a href="/greek/3739.htm" title="3739: ha (RelPro-ANP) -- Who, which, what, that. "></a> <a href="/greek/2980.htm" title="2980: elalei (V-IIA-3S) -- A prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; to talk, i.e. Utter words.">He was telling</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autois (PPro-DM3P) -- 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> 7So He said to them again, “Truly, truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep.…<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="/john/16-25.htm">John 16:25</a> I have spoken these things to you in figures of speech. An hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you this way, but will tell you plainly about the Father. <a href="/john/16-29.htm">John 16:29</a> His disciples said, “See, now You are speaking plainly and without figures of speech. <a href="/matthew/13-13.htm">Matthew 13:13-15</a> This is why I speak to them in parables: ‘Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.’ / In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled: ‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. / For this people’s heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.’ <a href="/mark/4-11.htm">Mark 4:11-12</a> He replied, “The mystery of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to those on the outside everything is expressed in parables, / so that, ‘they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven.’” <a href="/luke/8-10.htm">Luke 8:10</a> He replied, “The knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, ‘though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand.’ <a href="/john/8-43.htm">John 8:43</a> Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you are unable to accept My message. <a href="/john/12-16.htm">John 12:16</a> At first His disciples did not understand these things, but after Jesus was glorified they remembered what had been done to Him, and they realized that these very things had also been written about Him. <a href="/john/12-40.htm">John 12:40</a> “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, so that they cannot see with their eyes, and understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.” <a href="/isaiah/6-9.htm">Isaiah 6:9-10</a> And He replied: “Go and tell this people, ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’ / Make the hearts of this people calloused; deafen their ears and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.” <a href="/ezekiel/17-2.htm">Ezekiel 17:2</a> “Son of man, pose a riddle; speak a parable to the house of Israel <a href="/ezekiel/20-49.htm">Ezekiel 20:49</a> Then I said, “Ah, Lord GOD, they are saying of me, ‘Is he not just telling parables?’” <a href="/psalms/78-2.htm">Psalm 78:2</a> I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden from the beginning, <a href="/proverbs/1-6.htm">Proverbs 1:6</a> by understanding the proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise. <a href="/matthew/13-34.htm">Matthew 13:34</a> Jesus spoke all these things to the crowds in parables. He did not tell them anything without using a parable. <a href="/mark/4-33.htm">Mark 4:33-34</a> With many such parables Jesus spoke the word to them, to the extent that they could understand. / He did not tell them anything without using a parable. But privately He explained everything to His own disciples.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>This parable spoke Jesus to them: but they understood not what things they were which he spoke to them.they understood not.<a href="/john/6-52.htm">John 6:52,60</a> The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat? … <a href="/john/7-36.htm">John 7:36</a> What manner of saying is this that he said, Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come?<a href="/john/8-27.htm">John 8:27,43</a> They understood not that he spake to them of the Father… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/john/9-24.htm">Clear</a> <a href="/luke/15-3.htm">Figurative</a> <a href="/mark/7-17.htm">Figure</a> <a href="/john/7-24.htm">Form</a> <a href="/john/9-41.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/john/8-44.htm">Language</a> <a href="/john/7-39.htm">Meant</a> <a href="/luke/21-29.htm">Parable</a> <a href="/daniel/10-16.htm">Similitude</a> <a href="/john/9-37.htm">Speaking</a> <a href="/john/8-43.htm">Speech</a> <a href="/john/4-42.htm">Story</a> <a href="/john/9-34.htm">Teaching</a> <a href="/john/8-46.htm">Telling</a> <a href="/john/8-43.htm">Understand</a> <a href="/john/8-27.htm">Understood</a> <a href="/john/9-8.htm">Used</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/john/12-16.htm">Clear</a> <a href="/john/16-25.htm">Figurative</a> <a href="/john/16-29.htm">Figure</a> <a href="/acts/7-41.htm">Form</a> <a href="/john/10-7.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/john/10-21.htm">Language</a> <a href="/john/11-13.htm">Meant</a> <a href="/numbers/23-7.htm">Parable</a> <a href="/john/16-29.htm">Similitude</a> <a href="/john/10-33.htm">Speaking</a> <a href="/john/16-25.htm">Speech</a> <a href="/acts/4-24.htm">Story</a> <a href="/john/14-23.htm">Teaching</a> <a href="/john/11-28.htm">Telling</a> <a href="/john/10-38.htm">Understand</a> <a href="/john/12-16.htm">Understood</a> <a href="/john/12-6.htm">Used</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>Jesus spoke to them using this illustration In the context of <a href="/john/10.htm">John 10</a>, Jesus is speaking to the Pharisees and the people around Him. The illustration refers to the parable of the Good Shepherd, which is a common teaching method used by Jesus to convey spiritual truths through everyday imagery. Shepherding was a familiar occupation in ancient Israel, and the imagery of sheep and shepherds is prevalent throughout the Bible, symbolizing the relationship between God and His people (e.g., <a href="/psalms/23.htm">Psalm 23</a>, <a href="/ezekiel/34.htm">Ezekiel 34</a>). Jesus often used parables to reveal truths to those who were open to understanding while concealing them from those who were not receptive (<a href="/matthew/13-10.htm">Matthew 13:10-17</a>).but they did not understand The lack of understanding among Jesus' audience, particularly the Pharisees, highlights their spiritual blindness and inability to grasp the deeper truths of His message. This theme of misunderstanding is recurrent in the Gospels, where Jesus' teachings are often met with confusion or rejection by those who are spiritually hardened or self-righteous (<a href="/john/8-43.htm">John 8:43</a>, <a href="/1_corinthians/2-14.htm">1 Corinthians 2:14</a>). The inability to understand is not due to the complexity of the message but rather the condition of the heart.what He was telling them Jesus' message in this passage is about His identity as the Good Shepherd and the implications of that role. He is contrasting Himself with false shepherds, or leaders, who do not genuinely care for the sheep (<a href="/john/10.htm">John 10:1-5</a>, <a href="/ezekiel/34-2.htm">Ezekiel 34:2-4</a>). The illustration is a revelation of His divine mission and His sacrificial love for His followers. The failure to comprehend what Jesus was telling them underscores the broader rejection of Jesus by the religious leaders, who were unable to see Him as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah (Isaiah 53, <a href="/micah/5-4.htm">Micah 5:4</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus.htm">Jesus</a> The central figure in this passage, Jesus is teaching using a parable or illustration. He is the Good Shepherd, as described in the surrounding verses. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_pharisees.htm">The Pharisees</a> Although not mentioned directly in this verse, they are the primary audience of Jesus' teaching in this chapter. They often struggled to understand Jesus' spiritual teachings. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_sheepfold.htm">The Sheepfold</a> A metaphorical place representing the community of believers or the Kingdom of God, where Jesus is the gate and the shepherd. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_illustration/parable.htm">The Illustration/Parable</a> Jesus uses a parable about sheep, shepherds, and gates to convey spiritual truths about His role and the relationship between Him and His followers. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_disciples.htm">The Disciples</a> While not directly mentioned in this verse, they are often present during Jesus' teachings and are tasked with understanding and later spreading His message.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/u/understanding_spiritual_truths.htm">Understanding Spiritual Truths</a> Spiritual truths often require spiritual discernment. Like the Pharisees, we may struggle to understand if our hearts are not open to God's teaching. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_parables.htm">The Role of Parables</a> Jesus uses parables to communicate deep spiritual truths. We should seek the Holy Spirit's guidance to understand and apply these teachings in our lives. <a href="/topical/j/jesus_as_the_good_shepherd.htm">Jesus as the Good Shepherd</a> Jesus cares for His followers as a shepherd cares for his sheep. We can trust Him to guide, protect, and provide for us. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_spiritual_receptivity.htm">The Importance of Spiritual Receptivity</a> Being spiritually receptive is crucial for understanding God's Word. We should pray for open hearts and minds to receive His teachings. <a href="/topical/c/community_of_believers.htm">Community of Believers</a> The sheepfold represents the community of believers. We are called to be part of this community, supporting and encouraging one another in faith.<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/why_did_jesus_wash_the_disciples'_feet.htm">What was Jesus' purpose in washing the disciples' feet?</a> <a href="/q/how_does_jesus_show_human_traits.htm">How does Jesus exemplify human qualities and experiences?</a> <a href="/q/why_does_jesus_call_the_father_god.htm">If Jesus is God, why does He call the Father 'the only true God' (John 17:3)?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_'naked_and_not_ashamed'_mean.htm">What does 'My sheep hear My voice' mean?</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>(6) This parable spake Jesus unto them.--Better, this allegory spake Jesus unto them. The word rendered "parable" is the wider word (????????, paroimia) which includes every kind of figurative and proverbial teaching, every kind of speech, as the etymology reminds us, which departs from the usual course (?????, oimos). St. John nowhere uses the word "parable." The word paroimia occurs again in <a href="/john/16-25.htm" title="These things have I spoken to you in proverbs: but the time comes, when I shall no more speak to you in proverbs, but I shall show you plainly of the Father.">John 16:25</a>; <a href="/john/16-29.htm" title="His disciples said to him, See, now speak you plainly, and speak no proverb.">John 16:29</a>, and once besides in the New Testament; this is in <a href="/2_peter/2-22.htm" title="But it is happened to them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.">2Peter 2:22</a> ("according to the true proverb"), in a quotation from the Greek version of <a href="/proverbs/26-11.htm" title="As a dog returns to his vomit, so a fool returns to his folly.">Proverbs 26:11</a>, where the Hebrew word is m?shal. (Comp. Note on <a href="/matthew/13-3.htm" title="And he spoke many things to them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;">Matthew 13:3</a>, and Trench On the Parables, pp. 8-10.) The discourse of this chapter differs from the true parable, which is a story in which the outer facts are kept wholly distinct from the ideal truths that are to be taught; whereas here the form and the idea interpenetrate each other at every point. It is so in the other so-called "parable" in this Gospel (John 15). Strictly speaking, neither the "Good Shepherd" nor the "True Vine" is a parable. Both are "allegories," or rather, they are, as there is every reason to think, allegorical interpretations of actual events in the material world, which are thus made the vehicle of spiritual truths. It will follow from this that the interpretation of every point in the history of the material facts (e.g., "the porter" in <a href="/john/10-3.htm" title="To him the porter opens; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calls his own sheep by name, and leads them out.">John 10:3</a>) is not always to be pressed. In the parable the story is made to express the spiritual truth, and with greater or lesser fulness every point in it may have its spiritual counterpart. The outer facts which are allegorised exist independently of the spiritual truth. The fact that they express it at some central points is all that is necessary for the allegory, and greater caution should attend the use of any addition to the interpretation which is given. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/john/10.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 6. - This parable spake Jesus unto them. The word παροιμία occurs only in this place and in <a href="/john/16-25.htm">John 16:25-29</a>; <a href="/2_peter/2-22.htm">2 Peter 2:22</a>. It is the LXX. rendering of מָשָׁל proverb, in <a href="/proverbs/1-1.htm">Proverbs 1:1</a>, a similitude or didactic saying. The Greek word means any speech (ethos) deviating (παρὰ) from the common way (Lange). It may deviate by its sententious or parabolical form, which conceals under a closed metaphor a variety of meanings. But they, the Pharisees, who were confident of their own position, and gloried in their influence over men, and whose moral nature was steeled and armed to resist even a possible reference to themselves as "thieves," or "robbers," or "aliens," and who would not admit any of Christ's claims to their own disparagement, understood not what things they were which he was saying to them. The blind man had heard Ms voice, obeyed, found healing, advanced step by step from a bare knowledge of "a man Jesus" to a confession of him as one empowered by God; to a belief that he was a "Prophet," able to relax Mosaic Law; and finally to a ready acknowledgment that he was the Son of God. The Pharisees were conscious of neither need, nor blindness, nor desire of salvation, nor of the Shepherd's care or grace. They will not go to him for life. They can make nothing of his enigmatic words. They take counsel against him. Their misconception contrasts strongly with the susceptibility of the broken-hearted penitents. So far the parable or proverb corresponds with the parables of the kingdom in the synoptic Gospels, and is open to many interpretations. <a href="/commentaries/john/10-6.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>Jesus Ἰησοῦς (Iēsous) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2424.htm">Strong's 2424: </a> Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites. spoke εἶπεν (eipen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2036.htm">Strong's 2036: </a> Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say. to them [using] αὐτοῖς (autois) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 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. this Ταύτην (Tautēn) Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3778.htm">Strong's 3778: </a> This; he, she, it. illustration, παροιμίαν (paroimian) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3942.htm">Strong's 3942: </a> A cryptic saying, an allegory; a proverb, figurative discourse. but δὲ (de) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> A primary particle; but, and, etc. they ἐκεῖνοι (ekeinoi) Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1565.htm">Strong's 1565: </a> That, that one there, yonder. From ekei; that one (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed. {did} not οὐκ (ouk) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_3756.htm">Strong's 3756: </a> No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not. understand ἔγνωσαν (egnōsan) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1097.htm">Strong's 1097: </a> A prolonged form of a primary verb; to 'know' in a great variety of applications and with many implications. what τίνα (tina) Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_5101.htm">Strong's 5101: </a> Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what. He was telling ἐλάλει (elalei) Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2980.htm">Strong's 2980: </a> A prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; to talk, i.e. Utter words. them. αὐτοῖς (autois) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 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/10-6.htm">John 10:6 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/john/10-6.htm">John 10:6 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/john/10-6.htm">John 10:6 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/john/10-6.htm">John 10:6 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/john/10-6.htm">John 10:6 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/john/10-6.htm">John 10:6 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/john/10-6.htm">John 10:6 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/john/10-6.htm">John 10:6 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/john/10-6.htm">John 10:6 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/john/10-6.htm">John 10:6 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/john/10-6.htm">NT Gospels: John 10:6 Jesus spoke this parable to them (Jhn Jo Jn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/john/10-5.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="John 10:5"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="John 10:5" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/john/10-7.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="John 10:7"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="John 10:7" /></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>