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My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. <a href="/esv/john/10.htm">English Standard Version</a> The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. <a href="/bsb/john/10.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness. <a href="/blb/john/10.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> The thief comes only that he might steal and might kill and might destroy. I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly. <a href="/kjv/john/10.htm">King James Bible</a> The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. <a href="/nkjv/john/10.htm">New King James Version</a> The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. <a href="/nasb_/john/10.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came so that they would have life, and have it abundantly. <a href="/nasb/john/10.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. <a href="/nasb77/john/10.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “The thief comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy; I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly. <a href="/lsb/john/10.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. <a href="/amp/john/10.htm">Amplified Bible</a> The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows]. <a href="/csb/john/10.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> A thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance. <a href="/hcsb/john/10.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> A thief comes only to steal and to kill and to destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance. <a href="/asv/john/10.htm">American Standard Version</a> The thief cometh not, but that he may steal, and kill, and destroy: I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly. <a href="/cev/john/10.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> A thief comes only to rob, kill, and destroy. I came so everyone would have life, and have it fully. <a href="/erv/john/10.htm">English Revised Version</a> The thief cometh not, but that he may steal, and kill, and destroy: I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly. <a href="/gwt/john/10.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> A thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. But I came so that my sheep will have life and so that they will have everything they need. <a href="/gnt/john/10.htm">Good News Translation</a> The thief comes only in order to steal, kill, and destroy. I have come in order that you might have life--life in all its fullness. <a href="/isv/john/10.htm">International Standard Version</a> The thief comes only to steal, slaughter, and destroy. I've come that they may have life, and have it abundantly. <a href="/msb/john/10.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness. <a href="/net/john/10.htm">NET Bible</a> The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come so that they may have life, and may have it abundantly. <a href="/nheb/john/10.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> The thief only comes to steal, kill, and destroy. I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly. <a href="/wbt/john/10.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> The thief cometh not, but to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. <a href="/wey/john/10.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy: I have come that they may have Life, and may have it in abundance. <a href="/web/john/10.htm">World English Bible</a> The thief only comes to steal, kill, and destroy. I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/john/10.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> The thief does not come, except that he may steal, and kill, and destroy; I came that they may have life, and may have [it] abundantly. <a href="/blb/john/10.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> The thief comes only that he might steal and might kill and might destroy. I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly. <a href="/ylt/john/10.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> The thief doth not come, except that he may steal, and kill, and destroy; I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly. <a href="/slt/john/10.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> The thief comes not, except that he steal, and sacrifice, and destroy: I came that they might have life, and have above measure.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/john/10.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I am come that they may have life, and may have it more abundantly. <a href="/cpdv/john/10.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> The thief does not come, except so that he may steal and slaughter and destroy. I have come so that they may have life, and have it more abundantly. <a href="/nabre/john/10.htm">New American Bible</a> A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy; I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly. <a href="/nrsvce/john/10.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/john/10.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> A thief does not come, except to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they might have life, and have it abundantly. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/john/10.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> “But a thief does not come except to steal, kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have whatever is abundant.”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/john/10.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it in abundance. <a href="/godbey/john/10.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> <FR>The thief does not come, but that he may steal, and slay, and destroy: I came that they may have life, and have it more abundantly.<Fr> <a href="/haweis/john/10.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> The thief cometh not but to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. <a href="/mace/john/10.htm">Mace New Testament</a> the thief comes only to steal, to kill, and destroy: but I am come that they might have life, and have it with all its advantages. <a href="/wey/john/10.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy: I have come that they may have Life, and may have it in abundance. <a href="/worrell/john/10.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> <FR>The thief comes not, but that he may steal, and kill, and destroy: I came, that they may have life, and that they may have it abundantly.<Fr> <a href="/worsley/john/10.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> <FR>The thief cometh only to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they may have life, and may have <Fr>it<FR> in perfection.<Fr> <a href="/parallel/john/10-10.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=3599" 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> …9I am the gate. If anyone enters through Me, he will be saved. He will come in and go out and find pasture. 10<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.">The</a> <a href="/greek/2812.htm" title="2812: kleptēs (N-NMS) -- A thief. From klepto; a stealer.">thief</a> <a href="/greek/2064.htm" title="2064: erchetai (V-PIM/P-3S) -- To come, go. ">comes</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/1487.htm" title="1487: ei (Conj) -- If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.">only</a> <a href="/greek/3361.htm" title="3361: mē (Adv) -- Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether."></a> <a href="/greek/2443.htm" title="2443: hina (Conj) -- In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that.">to</a> <a href="/greek/2813.htm" title="2813: klepsē (V-ASA-3S) -- To steal. A primary verb; to filch.">steal</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/2380.htm" title="2380: thysē (V-ASA-3S) -- A primary verb; properly, to rush, i.e. to sacrifice; by extension to immolate.">kill</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/622.htm" title="622: apolesē (V-ASA-3S) -- From apo and the base of olethros; to destroy fully, literally or figuratively.">destroy.</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: egō (PPro-N1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">I</a> <a href="/greek/2064.htm" title="2064: ēlthon (V-AIA-1S) -- To come, go. ">have come</a> <a href="/greek/2443.htm" title="2443: hina (Conj) -- In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that.">that</a> <a href="/greek/2192.htm" title="2192: echōsin (V-PSA-3P) -- To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.">they may have</a> <a href="/greek/2222.htm" title="2222: zōēn (N-AFS) -- Life, both of physical (present) and of spiritual (particularly future) existence. From zao; life.">life,</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/2192.htm" title="2192: echōsin (V-PSA-3P) -- To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.">have it</a> <a href="/greek/4053.htm" title="4053: perisson (Adv) -- From peri; superabundant or superior; by implication, excessive; adverbially violently; neuter preeminence.">in all its fullness. </a> 11I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life 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/3-16.htm">John 3:16</a> For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. <a href="/john/1-4.htm">John 1:4</a> In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. <a href="/john/5-24.htm">John 5:24</a> Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgment. Indeed, he has crossed over from death to life. <a href="/john/6-35.htm">John 6:35</a> Jesus answered, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never hunger, and whoever believes in Me will never thirst. <a href="/john/14-6.htm">John 14:6</a> Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. <a href="/john/17-3.htm">John 17:3</a> Now this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent. <a href="/1_john/5-11.htm">1 John 5:11-12</a> And this is that testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. / Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. <a href="/romans/6-23.htm">Romans 6:23</a> For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. <a href="/romans/5-17.htm">Romans 5:17</a> For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ! <a href="/2_corinthians/5-17.htm">2 Corinthians 5:17</a> Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come! <a href="/ephesians/2-4.htm">Ephesians 2:4-5</a> But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, / made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our trespasses. It is by grace you have been saved! <a href="/colossians/3-3.htm">Colossians 3:3-4</a> For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. / When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. <a href="/1_timothy/6-19.htm">1 Timothy 6:19</a> treasuring up for themselves a firm foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life. <a href="/hebrews/2-14.htm">Hebrews 2:14-15</a> Now since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity, so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death, that is, the devil, / and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. <a href="/revelation/21-6.htm">Revelation 21:6</a> And He told me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give freely from the spring of the water of life.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>The thief comes not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.thief.<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="/john/12-6.htm">John 12:6</a> This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.<a href="/isaiah/56-11.htm">Isaiah 56:11</a> Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter.I am.<a href="/john/3-17.htm">John 3:17</a> For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.<a href="/john/6-33.htm">John 6:33,51</a> For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world… <a href="/john/12-47.htm">John 12:47</a> And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.more abundantly.<a href="/romans/5-13.htm">Romans 5:13-21</a> (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law… <a href="/hebrews/6-17.htm">Hebrews 6:17</a> Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:<a href="/hebrews/7-25.htm">Hebrews 7:25</a> Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/luke/21-4.htm">Abundance</a> <a href="/luke/12-16.htm">Abundantly</a> <a href="/john/8-52.htm">Death</a> <a href="/john/2-19.htm">Destroy</a> <a href="/john/3-16.htm">Destruction</a> <a href="/john/9-23.htm">Full</a> <a href="/john/8-53.htm">Greater</a> <a href="/john/8-40.htm">Kill</a> <a href="/john/9-3.htm">Life</a> <a href="/john/3-34.htm">Measure</a> <a href="/john/10-8.htm">Sheep</a> <a href="/luke/18-20.htm">Steal</a> <a href="/john/10-1.htm">Thief</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/romans/5-17.htm">Abundance</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/15-10.htm">Abundantly</a> <a href="/john/11-4.htm">Death</a> <a href="/john/11-48.htm">Destroy</a> <a href="/john/10-28.htm">Destruction</a> <a href="/john/12-3.htm">Full</a> <a href="/john/10-29.htm">Greater</a> <a href="/john/11-53.htm">Kill</a> <a href="/john/10-28.htm">Life</a> <a href="/john/17-13.htm">Measure</a> <a href="/john/10-11.htm">Sheep</a> <a href="/john/12-6.htm">Steal</a> <a href="/john/12-6.htm">Thief</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>The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. This phrase highlights the contrast between the intentions of the thief and those of Jesus. In the context of <a href="/john/10.htm">John 10</a>, the "thief" can be understood as false teachers or leaders who exploit the flock for personal gain. Historically, Israel had experienced leaders who led them astray, as seen in the warnings of the prophets (e.g., <a href="/ezekiel/34-2.htm">Ezekiel 34:2-4</a>). The imagery of a thief aligns with the cultural understanding of shepherding in ancient Palestine, where shepherds had to protect their flocks from thieves and predators. This phrase also connects to the broader biblical theme of spiritual warfare, where Satan is described as a thief who seeks to devour (<a href="/1_peter/5-8.htm">1 Peter 5:8</a>).I have come that they may have life, Jesus' mission is presented as the antithesis of the thief's destructive intent. The "life" mentioned here is not merely physical existence but encompasses spiritual vitality and eternal life. This concept is central to the Gospel of John, where Jesus is repeatedly identified as the source of life (<a href="/john/1-4.htm">John 1:4, 14</a>:6). The promise of life is rooted in the Old Testament, where God is depicted as the giver of life (<a href="/deuteronomy/30-19.htm">Deuteronomy 30:19-20</a>). Jesus fulfills the prophetic expectation of a shepherd who truly cares for and sustains His flock (Psalm 23).and have it in all its fullness. The phrase "in all its fullness" suggests abundance and completeness, indicating that the life Jesus offers is rich and satisfying. This fullness is not limited to material prosperity but includes spiritual blessings and a deep relationship with God. The idea of abundant life resonates with the promises of the Old Testament, where God assures His people of blessings when they follow His ways (<a href="/deuteronomy/28.htm">Deuteronomy 28:1-14</a>). In the New Testament, this fullness is further explained as the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, who empowers believers to live fruitful lives (<a href="/galatians/5-22.htm">Galatians 5:22-23</a>). Jesus, as the Good Shepherd, provides not only for the needs of His sheep but also ensures their well-being and flourishing.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a> The speaker of this verse, Jesus is presenting Himself as the Good Shepherd who contrasts His mission with that of the thief. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_thief.htm">The Thief</a> Represents false teachers, Satan, or any force that seeks to harm and lead people away from the truth of Christ. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_sheep.htm">The Sheep</a> Symbolic of believers or followers of Christ who are under His care and protection. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_good_shepherd.htm">The Good Shepherd</a> A title Jesus uses for Himself, emphasizing His role as protector and provider for His followers. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_abundant_life.htm">The Abundant Life</a> The life Jesus offers, characterized by spiritual richness and eternal fulfillment, as opposed to mere physical existence.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/u/understanding_the_thief's_intentions.htm">Understanding the Thief's Intentions</a> Recognize that anything or anyone that leads you away from Christ's truth is akin to the thief, whose ultimate goal is destruction. <a href="/topical/e/embracing_the_abundant_life.htm">Embracing the Abundant Life</a> The life Jesus offers is not just about material wealth but encompasses spiritual richness, peace, and eternal joy. <a href="/topical/j/jesus_as_the_good_shepherd.htm">Jesus as the Good Shepherd</a> Trust in Jesus' guidance and protection, knowing that He cares deeply for His followers and desires their well-being. <a href="/topical/s/spiritual_discernment.htm">Spiritual Discernment</a> Develop the ability to discern between the voice of the Good Shepherd and the deceptive voices of thieves. <a href="/topical/l/living_out_abundance.htm">Living Out Abundance</a> Reflect on how you can live out the abundant life in your daily walk, through love, service, and obedience to Christ.<a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/john/10.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(10) The thief cometh not, but for to steal.--Comp. Notes 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>; <a href="/john/10-8.htm" title="All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.">John 10:8</a>. The description of the thief is opposed to that of the shepherd, who constantly goes in and out and finds pasture. His visits are but rare, and when he comes it is but for his own selfish purposes, and for the ruin of the flock. Each detail of his cruel work is dwelt upon, to bring out in all the baseness of its extent the corresponding spiritual truth.I am come that they might have life.--More exactly, I came that they might have life. The pronoun should be emphasised. I came, as opposed to the thief. He does not further dwell upon the shepherd, but passes on to the thought of Himself, and thereby prepares the way for the thought of Himself as the Good Shepherd in the following verse. The object of His coming is the direct opposite of that of the thief, who comes only to steal and to kill and to destroy. He came once for all, that in Him the sheep may have life. (Comp. <a href="/context/john/6-50.htm" title="This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.">John 6:50-51</a>.) The Sinaitic MS. inserts the word "eternal" here--"that they might have life eternal." The word is probably not part of the original text, and the thought is rather of the present spiritual life which every believer now hath, and which will issue in eternal life. But comp. Note on <a href="/john/10-28.htm" title="And I give to them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.">John 10:28</a>.And that they might have it more abundantly.--Better, and that they might have it abundantly. The word "more" is an insertion of the English version without any authority, and it weakens the sense. It is not that a greater is compared with a less abundance, but that the abundance of life which results through Christ's coming is contrasted with the spiritual wants and death which He came to remove. This life is through Him given to men abundantly, overflowingly. We are reminded of the Shepherd-King's Psalm singing of the "green pastures," and "waters of rest," and "prepared table," and "overflowing cup"; and carrying all this into the region of the spiritual life we come again to the opening words of this Gospel, "And of His fulness did we all receive, and grace for grace" . . . "grace and truth came by Jesus Christ" (<a href="/context/john/1-16.htm" title="And of his fullness have all we received, and grace for grace.">John 1:16-17</a>). . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/john/10.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 10. - The thief cometh not, but that he may steal, and kill, and destroy. Christ, elaborating, evolving, what is contained in the image of "thief," regards his rival as the thief of souls; he whose pretension to be a way to God is based on no inward and eternal reality, who comes for no other purpose than to make the sheep his own, not to give them pasture; to sacrifice them to his selfish ends, to use them for his own purposes, not to deal with them graciously for theirs; but to destroy, since in the pursuit of his selfish ends he wastes both life and pasture. A terrible impeachment, this of all who have not recognized the true Door into the sheepfold, who would shut up the way of life that they may exalt their own order, would diminish the chances of souls in order to secure their own position. This forms the transition to the second interpretation of the parabolic words; for he adds, I came that they might have life, and that they might have it abundantly; more even than they can possibly use. This is one of the grandest of our Lord's claims. He gives like God from overflowing stores (<a href="/titus/3-6.htm">Titus 3:6</a>). Those who receive life from him have within them perennial sources of life for others - fullness of being (see notes, <a href="/john/7-38.htm">John 7:38</a>; <a href="/john/4-14.htm">John 4:14</a>). One of the differentiae of "life" is "abundance" of supply beyond immediate possibility of use. Life has the future in its arms. Life propagates new life. Life has untold capacities about it - beauty, fragrance, strength, growth, variety, reproduction, resistance to death, continuity, eternity. In the Logos is life - and Christ came to give it, to communicate "life to the non-living, to the dead in trespasses, and to those in their graves" (<a href="/john/5-26.htm">John 5:26</a>). <a href="/commentaries/john/10-10.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>The ὁ (ho) Article - Nominative Masculine Singular <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. thief κλέπτης (kleptēs) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2812.htm">Strong's 2812: </a> A thief. From klepto; a stealer. comes ἔρχεται (erchetai) Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2064.htm">Strong's 2064: </a> To come, go. only εἰ (ei) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1487.htm">Strong's 1487: </a> If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc. to ἵνα (hina) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2443.htm">Strong's 2443: </a> In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that. steal κλέψῃ (klepsē) Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2813.htm">Strong's 2813: </a> To steal. A primary verb; to filch. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. kill θύσῃ (thysē) Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2380.htm">Strong's 2380: </a> A primary verb; properly, to rush, i.e. to sacrifice; by extension to immolate. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. destroy. ἀπολέσῃ (apolesē) Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_622.htm">Strong's 622: </a> From apo and the base of olethros; to destroy fully, literally or figuratively. I ἐγὼ (egō) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 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. have come ἦλθον (ēlthon) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2064.htm">Strong's 2064: </a> To come, go. that ἵνα (hina) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2443.htm">Strong's 2443: </a> In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that. they may have ἔχωσιν (echōsin) Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2192.htm">Strong's 2192: </a> To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold. life, ζωὴν (zōēn) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2222.htm">Strong's 2222: </a> Life, both of physical (present) and of spiritual (particularly future) existence. From zao; life. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. have [it] ἔχωσιν (echōsin) Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2192.htm">Strong's 2192: </a> To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold. in all its fullness. περισσὸν (perisson) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_4053.htm">Strong's 4053: </a> From peri; superabundant or superior; by implication, excessive; adverbially violently; neuter preeminence. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/john/10-10.htm">John 10:10 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/john/10-10.htm">John 10:10 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/john/10-10.htm">John 10:10 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/john/10-10.htm">John 10:10 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/john/10-10.htm">John 10:10 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/john/10-10.htm">John 10:10 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/john/10-10.htm">John 10:10 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/john/10-10.htm">John 10:10 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/john/10-10.htm">John 10:10 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/john/10-10.htm">John 10:10 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/john/10-10.htm">NT Gospels: John 10:10 The thief only comes to steal kill (Jhn Jo Jn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/john/10-9.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="John 10:9"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="John 10:9" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/john/10-11.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="John 10:11"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="John 10:11" /></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>