The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
Christ warns us plainly because we are drowsy and careless, too ready to chase after whatever is new and strange; our own mad curiosity rushes to meet the thieves and wolves. He alone is the true Shepherd, not because other faithful ministers are nothing, but because He raises them up, endows them, governs them by His Spirit, and works through them, while never ceasing to fulfill the office of shepherd by His own power.
AI summary
The Pharisees claimed to be the church's true pastors and treated Christ as an intruder with no commission from them. But His doubled amen, Amen, amen, stamps this teaching with absolute weight: whoever does not enter by the gate but climbs another way is a thief and robber, bent on mischief and damage to the flock.
AI summary
Commenting on John 10:1-18
The thief's sole aim is to steal the sheep from Christ and subject them to himself, as Absalom stole hearts from David; his false doctrines are poison that eat like cancer and slay souls. Christ came to give life, spiritual and eternal, to His elect, who by nature are dead in sin and bound for death; His sheep cannot be destroyed by these false shepherds.
AI summary