It is obvious from this verse that Jesus is the gate by which one enters into the Kingdom. In the Greek sentence construction the phrase by me is emphatic, thus emphasizing that Jesus is the only one through whom one enters the Kingdom. The one who enters through Jesus is saved, and he has freedom, which is expressed by the phrase come in and go out. The expression find pasture describes the life-sustaining force that is given to the believer. Jesus is the bread of life and the water of life, and he provides his sheep with pasture that sustains them.

As in verse 7, it may be necessary to introduce a simile, for example, “I am just like a gate” or “I am just like the gate for the sheep.”

Will be saved may in this context be translated “will become safe.” Or it may be expressed negatively as “will be kept from danger.”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on the Gospel of John. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1980. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .