John 10:9

by me Placed first for emphasis; -through Me and in no other way." The main point is iterated again and again, each time with great simplicity, and yet most emphatically. "The simplicity, the directness, the particularity, the emphasis of S. John's style give his writings a marvellous power, which is not perhaps felt at first. Yet his words seem to hang about the reader till he is forced to remember them. Each great truth sounds like the burden of a strain, ever falling upon the ear with a calm persistency which secures attention." Westcott, Introduction to the Study of the Gospels, p. 250.

he shall be saved These words and -shall find pasture" seem to shew that this verse does not refer to the shepherds only, but to the sheep also. Although -find pasture" may refer to the shepherd's work for the flock, yet one is inclined to think that if the words do not refer to both, they refer to the sheep only.

With the verse as a whole should be compared -the strait gate and narrow way which leadeth unto life" (Matthew 7:14). In the Clementine Homilies(iii. lii.) we have -He, being a true prophet, said, I am the gate of life; he that entereth in through Me entereth into life." See on John 9:3.