John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 4. And when he putteth forth his own sheep , etc.] The Ethiopic version reads, when he leads them all out; in order to bring them into proper pastures: he goeth before them ; in allusion to the eastern shepherds, who when they put out their flocks, did not, as ours do, drive them before them, and follow after them, at least not always, but went before them: so Christ, the great shepherd, goes before his flock, not only to provide for them, but by way of example to them; in many instances he is an ensample to the flock, as under shepherds, according to the measure of grace received, should be: he has left them an example in many respects, that they should tread in his steps: and the sheep follow him ; in the exercise of the graces of humility, love, patience, self-denial, and resignation of will to the will of God; and in the discharge of duty, walking, in some measure, as he walked. For they know his voice ; in the Gospel, which directs and encourages them to exercise grace in him, and to walk in the path of duty: this they know by the majesty and authority of it; and by the power with which it comes to their souls; and by its speaking of him, and leading to him; and by the evenness, harmony, and consistency of it. The Persic version renders the whole thus; when he calls and leads out the sheep, they go before him, and their lambs after them, for they know his voice.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-5 - Here is a parable or similitude, taken from the customs of the East, in the management of sheep. Men, as creatures depending on their Creator are called the sheep of his pasture. The church of God in the world is as a sheep-fold, exposed to deceivers and persecutors. The grea Shepherd of the sheep knows all that are his, guards them by his providence, guides them by his Spirit and word, and goes before them as the Eastern shepherds went before their sheep, to set them in the way of his steps. Ministers must serve the sheep in their spiritual concerns. The Spirit of Christ will set before them an open door. The sheep of Christ will observe their Shepherd, and be cautious and shy of strangers, who would draw them from faith in him to fancies about him.
Greek Textus Receptus
και 2532 CONJ οταν 3752 CONJ τα 3588 T-APN ιδια 2398 A-APN προβατα 4263 N-APN εκβαλη 1544 5632 V-2AAS-3S εμπροσθεν 1715 PREP αυτων 846 P-GPN πορευεται 4198 5736 V-PNI-3S και 2532 CONJ τα 3588 T-NPN προβατα 4263 N-NPN αυτω 846 P-DSM ακολουθει 190 5719 V-PAI-3S οτι 3754 CONJ οιδασιν 1492 5758 V-RAI-3P την 3588 T-ASF φωνην 5456 N-ASF αυτου 846 P-GSM
Vincent's NT Word Studies
4. Putteth forth (ekbalh). Rev., more strictly, hath put forth. Instead of leadeth out, in ver. 3. It implies a constraint; as if some of the sheep were unwilling to leave the fold. Meyer says that putteth forth pictures the manner of the leading out. He lays hold on the sheep and brings them out to the door.His own sheep (ta idia probata). The best texts read panta, all, for probata, sheep: all his own. So Rev.
Goeth before. As the Eastern shepherd always does. Having pushed them forth, he now leads them.
Follow. "It is necessary that they should be taught to follow, and not stray away into the unfenced fields of wheat which lie so temptingly on either side. The shepherd calls from time to time to remind them of his presence. They know his voice and follow on; but if a stranger call, they stop, lift up their heads in alarm, and if the call is repeated, they turn and flee from him; for they know not the voice of strangers. This is not the fanciful costume of a parable; it is simple fact. I have made the experiment often" (Thomson).
