To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.
The gatekeeper opens the door for him, and the sheep recognize his voice. He calls each of his sheep by name and leads them out.
Your shepherd knows your name and you'll recognize his voice when he calls.
📚 Historical Context
In the time of Jesus, shepherds in ancient Israel would guard their sheep in communal folds and call them by name to lead them out, as sheep were trained to recognize their own shepherd's voice. The porter, or gatekeeper, would open the gate only for the rightful shepherd, symbolizing protection from thieves or predators. This metaphor is drawn from Jesus' discourse in the Gospel of John, where He uses it to illustrate His role as the Good Shepherd amid debates with religious leaders.
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