Matthew Poole and continuators on John 10:1

VErily, verily, I say unto you, He that entreth not by the door, into the Sheepfold , but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber .

It should seem, that the Sheepfolds in those Countries were Houses which had doors by which the Entry was into them; there is no doubt, but by the Sheepfold is meant here, The Church of God, in which the People of God are gathered together in one. By the Door, he apparently meaneth himself, as he himself speaketh, ver. 1. Or rather, more generally that way which God hath appointed for any that are to take charge of [illegible: 1 letter]is Church to enter. He is both the Shepherd, (the true shepherd) and the Door; the Shepherd as the care, conduct, and Government of the Church belongeth to him, and is upon his shoulders. The door, as he is he whom the Father hath Ordained to be the Chief Shepherd, from whom all who pretend to any right to Teach, or Govern in the Church, must derive both their Authority and Abilities.

Now saith our Saviour, Whosoever they be, that thrust themselves into the care, conduct, and government of the Church, without any Call or Warrant from my Father or Me, who am the true Door through which whosoever entreth into the Church must enter; and the chief Shepherd from whom he must derive, or be a Thief and a R[illegible: 1 letter]bber, His very entrance makes it appear, that his end is not to feed the Flock, but to feed himself; and that he drives onely private designe of advantage to himself.

In this famous Parable which reacheth to ver. 31. Our Saviour seemeth to drive two great designs. 1. To prove himself the true Shepherd. 2. To prove the Pharisees and Teachers of those times, Thieves, and Robbers.