Jesus is the true shepherd because He has the proper credentials given by the Father and fulfills the prophetic requirements laid out in Scripture.
Jesus establishes His identity as the true shepherd by declaring that He alone has been granted access to the sheep by the Father, the porter in the parable. Scripture affirms His divine authority, as Christ entered this role in fulfillment of the Messianic prophecies. In John 10:28, He states that His sheep are safe in His hands, reaffirming His unique position as the protector and savior of those who belong to Him. The Scriptures testify to His work, affirming that He came to seek and save the lost.
Scripture References:
John 10:7-11, John 10:28, Isaiah 53:6, Zechariah 11:7, John 10:11, Matthew 27:9-10, Ezekiel 34:11-16, John 10:1-6, John 9:1-38, John 10:11-12, John 10:26-27
Commentary