10:9a
I am the gate: This clause is the same as in 10:7, without the words “for the sheep.” Jesus implied that he was the gate or door for people also. He is the entrance into the home of his people, the way to go into God’s kingdom. People must enter the kingdom through him. This is a metaphor (one of the seven “I am” statements in John). There are several ways to translate it:
• Use a metaphor. For example:
I am the door (Revised English Bible)
• Use a simile. For example:
I am ⌊just⌋ like the gate
• Use a figure of speech and indicate that the word gate is not being used literally. For example:
I am the ⌊true/spiritual⌋ gate/door
See how you translated the word gate in 10:1b, 10:2, 10:3a, and 10:7.
I: The Greek text emphasizes this pronoun. This emphasis contrasts Jesus with those in 10:8a who were thieves and robbers. They were not the gate, but apparently said that they knew a different way to God. Here are some ways to show this emphasis and contrast:
I, on the other hand, am the door.
-or-
But I am the only door.
10:9b
If anyone enters through Me, he will be saved: The extended metaphor continues in this clause. The meaning of this clause is that those who enter the kingdom of God through Jesus will receive salvation. (The Greek text emphasizes the words through Me.) Try to use language that can refer to both people and sheep so that readers can easily understand the meaning.
anyone: This word refers to anyone and everyone who enters through Jesus. It is possible to use either singular or plural forms. For example:
Whoever enters by me will be saved (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
Those who enter the sheep pen through me will be saved. (God’s Word)
enters through Me: This phrase here refers to trusting Jesus as the way to salvation. Jesus was still using the gate metaphor. Use a phrase that is natural for speaking about going through a door of some kind. For example:
enters by me (New Revised Standard Version)
In some languages it may be natural to say explicitly what the sheep or people enter. Use a word that your readers will understand as representing a safe and good place. For example:
enter the sheep pen through me (God’s Word)
he will be saved: This verb phrase refers to receiving protection from danger. Literally, this indicates that the sheep will be protected from danger. Figuratively, it indicates that God will protect people from spiritual danger and death and give them eternal life. Try to use an expression that readers can understand both literally and figuratively.
This is a passive phrase. There are at least two ways to translate it:
• Use a passive verb. For example:
will be protected
-or-
will be kept from harm
• Use an active verb. For example:
will live safely
-or-
will be safe (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
will find salvation
Use the verb form that is most natural in your language in this context.
10:9c
He will come in and go out: This expression indicates that the sheep will move around freely. They will be able to get what they need: rest, exercise, food and water. This metaphor indicates that people who trust Jesus will live freely and safely. This does not mean that people will sometimes leave the kingdom of God and then come back in. A metaphor cannot mean something that disagrees with another part of scripture. The idea here is that people are free. For example:
will be able to come in and go out (New Century Version)
-or-
will come and go freely (New Living Translation (2004))
find pasture: A pasture is a field where animals can eat the grass. During the night the sheep were in the sheep pen and during the day they were in the pasture, eating freely. The phrase find pasture means that the sheep will find grass to eat.
This phrase is a metaphor. In this metaphor, Jesus compared the way God provides for believers to sheep finding food in a pasture. God supplies our needs just as the shepherd supplies the needs of his sheep by allowing them to eat grass. In some languages a literal translation of this metaphor may be difficult to understand. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:
• Supply information indicating that the pasture is a good place to be, a place where one’s needs are provided for. For example:
find good pastures (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
find his food (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
• Change the metaphor to a simile. For example:
It will be like sheep finding grass to eat in a pasture.
• Change the metaphor to a simile and make explicit the way that they are similar. For example:
Those who come through me will receive all their needs, like sheep finding good pastures.
• In some places there are no specific pastures. You may want to speak in more general terms of animals eating freely of food that is desirable. For example:
eat in grassy/fertile fields
-or-
eat green/good grass
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