Joh 10:27-29 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 27. My sheep . My church, my people, those who have the true spirit of my followers. The name is given to his people because it was an illustration which would be well understood in a country abounding in flocks. There is also a striking resemblance, which he proceeds to state, between them. Hear my voice . See . Applied to Christians, it means that they hear and obey his commandments. I know them . See . They follow me . A flock follows its shepherd to pastures and streams, . Christians not only obey Christ, but they imitate him; they go where his Spirit and providence lead them; they yield themselves to his guidance, and seek to be led by him. When Jesus was upon earth many of his disciples followed or attended him from place to place. Hence Christians are called his followers , and in they are described as "they that follow the Lamb." (a) "My sheep hear my voice"

John 10:27-29

Verse 27. My sheep. My church, my people, those who have the true spirit of my followers. The name is given to his people because it was an illustration which would be well understood in a country abounding in flocks. There is also a striking resemblance, which he proceeds to state, between them.

Hear my voice. See Jn 10:3,4. Applied to Christians, it means that they hear and obey his commandments.

I know them. See Jn 10:14.

They follow me. A flock follows its shepherd to pastures and streams, Jn 10:3. Christians not only obey Christ, but they imitate him; they go where his Spirit and providence lead them; they yield themselves to his guidance, and seek to be led by him. When Jesus was upon earth many of his disciples followed or attended him from place to place. Hence Christians are called his followers, and in Rev 14:4 they are described as "they that follow the Lamb."

(a) "My sheep hear my voice" Jn 10:4 Verse 28. I give unto them eternal life. See Jn 5:24.

Shall never perish. To perish here means to be destroyed, or to be punished in hell. Mt 10:28: "Which is able to destroy (the same word) both soul and body in hell."

Mt 18:14: "It is not the will of your Father which is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish." Jn 3:15: "That whosoever believeth in him should not perish." Rom 2:12: "They who have sinned without law shall also perish without law." Jn 17:12, 1Cor 1:18. In all these places the word refers to future punishment, and the declaration of the Saviour is that his followers, his true disciples, shall never be cast away. The original is expressed with remarkable strength: "They shall not be destroyed for ever." Syriac: "They shall not perish to eternity." This is spoken of all Christians--that is, of all who ever possess the character of true followers of Christ, and who can be called his flock.

Shall any. The word any refers to any power that might attempt it. It will apply either to men or to devils. It is an affirmation that no man, however eloquent in error, or persuasive in infidelity, or cunning in argument, or mighty in rank; and that no devil with all his malice, power, cunning, or allurements, shall be able to pluck them from his hand.

Pluck them. In the original to rob; to seize and bear away as a robber does his prey. Jesus holds them so secure and so certainly that no foe can surprise him as a robber does, or overcome him by force.

My hand. The hand is that by which we hold or secure an object. It means that Jesus has them safely in his own care and keeping. Comp. Rom 8:38,39.

(b) "they shall never perish" Jn 17:12 Verse 29. Which gave them me. See Jn 6:37.

Is greater. Is more powerful.

Than all. Than all others--men, angels, devils. The word includes everything--everything that could attempt to pluck them away from God; in other words, it means that God is supreme. It implies, farther, that God will keep them, and will so control all other beings and things that they shall be safe.

None is able. None has power to do it. In these two verses we are taught the following important truths:

1st. That Christians are given by God the Father to Christ.

2nd. That Jesus gives to them eternal life, or procures by his death and intercession, and imparts to them by his Spirit, that religion which shall result in eternal life.

3rd. That both the Father and the Son are pledged to keep them so that they shall never fall away and perish. It would be impossible for any language to teach more explicitly that the saints will persevere.

4th. That there is no power in man or devils to defeat the purpose of the Redeemer to save his people. We also see our safety, if we truly, humbly, cordially, and daily commit ourselves to God the Saviour. In no other way can we have evidence that we are his people than by such a persevering resignation of ourselves to him, to obey his law, and to follow him through evil report or good report. If we do that we are safe. If we do not that we have no evidence of piety, and are not, cannot be safe.

(d) "gave them me" Jn 17:2