10:3a
The gatekeeper opens the gate for him: The gatekeeper kept the gate shut during the night and let the shepherd enter in the morning. The Greek text more literally says “The gatekeeper opens for him,” and the object the gate is implicit. The Berean Standard Bible has supplied the phrase the gate. Supply an object if that is natural in your language. For example:
The one who guards the door opens it for him. (New Century Version)
-or-
The doorkeeper opens the door for him. (NET Bible Bible)
-or-
The doorkeeper allows him to enter the sheep pen.
The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as gatekeeper means “doorkeeper” or “one who guards at the door.” The word refers to the man who guarded the sheep and the sheepfold at night, providing security. Here are other ways to translate this word:
doorkeeper (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
The one who guards the door. (New Century Version)
for him: The Greek text emphasizes the word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as for him. That implies a contrast between the shepherd and other people that the gatekeeper does not open the gate for. For example:
To him the doorkeeper opens (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
He is the one whom the guard allows to enter the gate.
General Comment on 10:2–3a
In some languages it may be natural to say that the gatekeeper opens the gate before saying that the shepherd enters the sheepfold. For example:
2–3 But the gatekeeper opens the gate for the shepherd, and he goes in through it. (Contemporary English Version)
10:3b
the sheep listen for his voice: The sheep hear their shepherd call to them. They recognize his voice, and so they listen and respond to him. Here are other ways to translate this clause:
the sheep listen to the voice of the shepherd (New Century Version)
-or-
the sheep listen to their shepherd
sheep: See how you translated this word in 10:2.
10:3c
He calls his own sheep by name: The pronoun He refers to the shepherd. He speaks to his sheep, telling them to come to him. He has given each of his sheep a name, and he uses these names as he calls them.
his own sheep: This phrase refers to the sheep that this shepherd owns. Apparently not all the sheep in the pen are his. Many shepherds in Israel at that time would keep their sheep together in one pen. So each shepherd led only his sheep out of the pen.
by name: This phrase indicates that the shepherd has given a name to each of his sheep. He knows each one as an individual. This illustrates his care for the sheep.
General Comment on 10:3b–c
In some languages it may be natural to reverse the order of 10:3b–c. First say that the shepherd calls to his sheep and then that they hear him. For example:
3c He calls his own sheep by name 3b and they listen to him.
10:3d
leads them out: The word leads indicates that the shepherd walks in front of the sheep. He does that to show them the way to go and protect them from any problems.
General Comment on 10:3
In the Greek text 10:3 is one long sentence, which the Berean Standard Bible has divided into two. Most English translations do the same. When you translate this verse, make the sentences a natural length in your language.
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