The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus didn't just come to prevent destruction; the Greek word used for "abundantly" implies an overflowing, excess, or surplus. He came not only to give us life, but a life so rich and full that it overflows beyond what we could ever imagine.
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is explaining the parable of the sheepfold, contrasting himself with false leaders who have deceived the people. He declares he is the true "door" through which one must enter to find salvation and pasture, unlike the thieves who only seek to exploit and ruin. This verse directly opposes the destructive intent of these false shepherds with Jesus' life-giving purpose.
Ever feel like something is trying to steal your joy, kill your dreams, or destroy your peace? Jesus directly addresses this enemy.
Jesus contrasts His mission with that of a 'thief.' This thief doesn't just accidentally cause harm; his entire purpose is destruction. The Greek word used for 'thief' implies stealth and illicit gain. His actions are a three-fold assault:
Jesus points to false teachers and those who lead people astray as examples of this thief, whose motives are selfish and whose outcomes are ruinous. They aim to plunder the flock for their own gain, leaving spiritual emptiness behind.
What if Jesus didn't just come to save us from destruction, but to give us something more than we could ever imagine?
Jesus' arrival is presented as the direct antidote to the thief's destructive mission. While the thief aims for death and ruin, Jesus came with a singular, life-affirming purpose:
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This abundant life is rooted in Christ Himself. It's a present reality for believers, a deep wellspring that nourishes the soul and anticipates its eternal perfection. It’s a stark contrast to the emptiness left by the thief.
Understand the original words
zōē · Greek Noun
The state of being alive in a spiritual sense; the eternal, abundant relationship with God that begins now and continues forever in Christ.
perissos · Greek Adjective
A life that exceeds ordinary limits; it describes the quality of life in Christ which is characterized by spiritual fullness, joy, and peace that transcends earthly circumstances.
poimēn · Greek Noun
A common Old Testament metaphor for leaders, and specifically for God as the protector, provider, and guide of His people. Jesus employs this title to claim divine authority and tender care over His followers.
kalos · Greek Adjective
An adjective indicating not only moral goodness or excellence, but also genuineness, nobility, and worthiness. In this context, it distinguishes Jesus as the true, ideal, and sacrificial leader compared to false or indifferent ones.
psychē · Greek Noun
In the context of the atonement, this refers to the voluntary surrender of one's physical life unto death. It signifies the ultimate sacrifice made by Christ for the salvation and preservation of His people.
probaton · Greek Noun
Used to refer to those who follow Jesus, highlighting their vulnerability, dependence, and need for divine protection. It emphasizes the communal identity of believers belonging to God's flock.
This passage powerfully contrasts the selfish, destructive actions of the false shepherds of Israel with the true care that God desires for His sheep, mirroring Jesus' distinction between the thief and the good Shepherd.
1 John 2:19This verse echoes Jesus' assertion that those who truly belong to Him will remain, while those who depart 'were not of us,' highlighting the genuine, enduring life that Christ offers versus the fleeting deceptions of the enemy.
Colossians 2:8Paul warns against being plundered by deceptive philosophies, which aligns with Jesus' warning about the thief's intent to steal and destroy, emphasizing the need to hold fast to Christ for true life.
Romans 8:32This verse reveals God's abundant love by showing that He did not withhold His own Son, but gave Him up for us all. This giving of Jesus directly relates to His purpose in John 10:10: to give life abundantly.
Psalm 23:1-6The entire Psalm paints a picture of the Lord as the ultimate Shepherd who provides life, peace, and abundant provision ('my cup overflows'), beautifully illustrating the 'abundant life' Jesus came to give.
calvinJohn 10:7-10: "Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep."
- And Jesus again said to them, Verily, verily, I say to you, that I am the door of the sheep. 8. All who have entered before me are thieves and robbers; but the sheep did not hear them. 9. I am the door. If any man enter by me, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. 10. The thief cometh not but to steal, and to kill, and to destroy; I am come, that they may have…
ellicottJohn 10:10: "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."
(10) The thief cometh not, but for to steal. —Comp. Notes on John 10:1 ; John 10:8 . The description of the thief is opposed to that of the shepherd, who constantly goes in and out and finds pasture. His visits are but rare, and when he comes it is but for his own selfish purposes, and for the ruin of the flock. Each detail of his c…
Jesus didn't just come to prevent destruction; the Greek word used for "abundantly" implies an overflowing, excess, or surplus. He came not only to give us life, but a life so rich and full that it overflows beyond what we could ever imagine.
Jesus is explaining the parable of the sheepfold, contrasting himself with false leaders who have deceived the people. He declares he is the true "door" through which one must enter to find salvation and pasture, unlike the thieves who only seek to exploit and ruin. This verse directly opposes the destructive intent of these false shepherds with Jesus' life-giving purpose.
Jesus is explaining the parable of the sheepfold, contrasting himself with false leaders who have deceived the people. He declares he is the true "door" through which one must enter to find salvation and pasture, unlike the thieves who only seek to exploit and ruin. This verse directly opposes the destructive intent of these false shepherds with Jesus' life-giving purpose.
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." — Jesus didn't just come to prevent destruction; the Greek word used for "abundantly" implies an overflowing, excess, or surplus. He came not only to give us life, but a life so rich and full that it…
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Last reviewed October 2026