OET interlinear YHN (JHN) 10:1

10:1a

This is the beginning of a new section and paragraph. Because public Bible readings may begin here, it is good to indicate that Jesus is speaking. For example:

Jesus said, “I am telling you the truth….” (GNT)

Truly, truly, I tell you: The Greek expression that the BSB translates as Truly, truly, I tell you introduces something important that Jesus said. Jesus wanted to emphasize the truth and importance of his next words. See the notes on 3:3a, 3:11a, and see how you translated this expression there. Avoid implying that Jesus did not always tell the truth. Here are other ways to translate this expression:

I tell you the truth (NIV)

Believe me when I tell you that (JBP)

10:1b

whoever does not enter the sheepfold by the gate: These words introduce an illustration or extended metaphor taken from the customs of sheep farming in ancient Israel. If sheep are not known in your culture, it may be necessary to provide footnotes or pictures. See 2:14a for one picture that you can use.

whoever: The Greek word that the BSB translates as whoever can refer to any person, man or woman. In this context it more naturally refers to men. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

the person who (NCV)

those who

he who (ESV)

does not enter the sheepfold by the gate: The normal way to enter a sheepfold was to go through the gate. The only other way was to climb over the wall.

the sheepfold: The Greek phrase that the BSB translates as sheepfold is more literally “courtyard of the sheep.” The courtyard was probably attached to a house and was surrounded by a stone wall. As a sheepfold it was where the sheep stayed at night. People who owned sheep kept them safe by locking them in there at night. Apparently, sheep belonging to several owners were kept together in one sheepfold, guarded by one gatekeeper (guard). Use a term that can refer to a large pen or courtyard like this. For example:

sheep pen (NIV)

place where sheep are protected

See the note explaining “sheep” in 2:14a. Also see how you translated the word there.

the gate: The Greek word that the BSB translates as gate is more literally “door.” It refers to the entrance to the sheepfold or pen, an entrance that could be closed and locked. Use the normal word for such an entrance. For example:

door (NET)

10:1c

but: The Greek conjunction that the BSB translates as but here connects a negative statement (10:1b) to a positive statement (10:1c). This kind of sentence emphasizes the positive statement. Languages have different ways to indicate this type of emphasis. Here are some ways to show the emphasis:

• Use the conjunction but as in the BSB.

• Use a conjunction other than but. This is a common way in English to show this type of emphasis. For example:

  a person does not enter by the correct entrance; rather he climbs over the wall

• Do not use a conjunction. For example:

  Thieves and bandits do not enter the sheep pen through the door. They climb over the wall in a different place.

• Change the order of the clauses. For example:

  A person who climbs into the sheep pen instead of going through the gate

  the person who climbs over the wall of a sheepfold, rather than enter through the gate

You should translate this emphasis in the way that is most natural in your language.

climbs in some other way: Instead of walking into the pen through the gate or door, this person climbs in over the wall. A person normally opened the gate and walked into the pen through it. The person climbing over the wall does something that is not normal or right. In some languages a literal translation may imply that a person would normally climb over the gate. It may be possible to avoid this wrong meaning by saying the following:

but enters another way, by climbing

In some languages it may be necessary to make it explicit that this person climbs over the wall. For example:

but gets in another way, by climbing over the wall

but instead climbs in over the wall

10:1d

is a thief and a robber: By climbing over the wall, this man shows that he really is a robber. He demonstrates that he intends to steal by entering the sheep pen without permission. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

is nothing but a thief and a robber (REB)

must surely be a thief and a robber (NLT)

a thief and a robber: A thief is a person who steals secretly, and a robber is someone who steals violently and publicly. But in this context the words thief and robber mean the same thing, someone who steals. They do not refer to two different people. If a literal translation suggests two different people, it may be better to combine them. For example:

a sheep stealer