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Wednesday, July 9th, 2025
the Week of Proper 9 / Ordinary 14
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Read the Bible

Good News Translation

John 10:10

The thief comes only in order to steal, kill, and destroy. I have come in order that you might have life—life in all its fullness.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Jesus, the Christ;   Jesus Continued;   Life;   Minister, Christian;   Regeneration;   Sheep;   Shepherd;   Scofield Reference Index - Assurance-Security;   Life;   Thompson Chain Reference - Abundance, Spiritual;   Abundance-Want;   Deterioration-Development;   Enlargement;   Larger Life;   Life;   Life, Christ the;   Life-Death;   Mission;   Progress, Spiritual;   Spiritual;   The Topic Concordance - Jesus Christ;   Life;   Love;   Sacrifice;   Shepherds/pastors;   Unity;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Sheep;   Theft;   Titles and Names of Saints;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Shepherd;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Jesus christ;   John, gospel of;   Life;   Pastor;   Shepherd;   Steal;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Jesus Christ;   Kill, Killing;   Lamb, Lamb of God;   Life;   Offerings and Sacrifices;   Reward;   Charles Buck Theological Dictionary - Soul;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Parable;   Sheep;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Parable;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Aging;   Fullness;   Life;   Names of God;   Regeneration;   Shepherd;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Life;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Allegory;   Animals;   Authority in Religion;   Blood ;   Brotherhood (2);   Church (2);   Consolation;   Discourse;   Grace;   Humanity of Christ;   Immortality (2);   John, Gospel of (Ii. Contents);   Life and Death;   Man (2);   Mediator;   Mental Characteristics;   Metaphors;   Mission;   Parable;   Presence;   Quotations (2);   Regeneration;   Religious Experience;   Rest (2);   Salvation;   Sanctify, Sanctification;   Sheep, Shepherd;   Son of God;   Thief ;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Shepherd;   The Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary - Flock;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Sheep;   Shepherd;   Smith Bible Dictionary - Sheep;   Wilson's Dictionary of Bible Types - Steal;  

Encyclopedias:

- Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia - Jesus of Nazareth;   International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Atonement;   Crime;   Jesus Christ (Part 2 of 2);   Life;   Lord's Supper (Eucharist);   Redeemer;   Regeneration;   Righteousness;   Sin (1);   Son of God, the;  

Devotionals:

- Daily Light on the Daily Path - Devotion for February 5;   Every Day Light - Devotion for November 18;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
A thief comes only to steal
King James Version (1611)
The theefe commeth not, but for to steale and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might haue life, and that they might haue it more abundantly.
King James Version
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
English Standard Version
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
New American Standard Bible
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came so that they would have life, and have it abundantly.
New Century Version
A thief comes to steal and kill and destroy, but I came to give life—life in all its fullness.
Amplified Bible
"The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows].
New American Standard Bible (1995)
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
Legacy Standard Bible
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
Berean Standard Bible
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness.
Contemporary English Version
A thief comes only to rob, kill, and destroy. I came so that everyone would have life, and have it in its fullest.
Complete Jewish Bible
The thief comes only in order to steal, kill and destroy; I have come so that they may have life, life in its fullest measure.
Darby Translation
The thief comes not but that he may steal, and kill, and destroy: I am come that they might have life, and might have [it] abundantly.
Easy-to-Read Version
A thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. But I came to give life—life that is full and good.
Geneva Bible (1587)
The theefe commeth not, but for to steale, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might haue life, and haue it in abundance.
George Lamsa Translation
A thief does not come, except to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they might have life, and have it abundantly.
Lexham English Bible
The thief comes only so that he can steal and kill and destroy; I have come so that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
Literal Translation
The thief does not come except that he may steal, and kill, and destroy. I came that they may have life and may have it abundantly.
American Standard Version
The thief cometh not, but that he may steal, and kill, and destroy: I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly.
Bible in Basic English
The thief comes only to take the sheep and to put them to death: he comes for their destruction: I have come so that they may have life and have it in greater measure.
Hebrew Names Version
The thief only comes to steal, kill, and destroy. I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly.
International Standard Version
The thief comes only to steal, slaughter, and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
Etheridge Translation
The thief cometh not but to steal and to kill and destroy: I am come that they may have life, and that which is more.
Murdock Translation
The thief cometh not, but that he may steal, and kill, and destroy. I have come, that they may have life, and may have that which is excellent.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
A thiefe commeth not, but for to steale, kyll, & to destroy: I am come, that they myght haue lyfe, and that they myght haue it more aboundauntly.
English Revised Version
The thief cometh not, but that he may steal, and kill, and destroy: I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly.
World English Bible
The thief only comes to steal, kill, and destroy. I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly.
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
The thief cometh not, but to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they may have life, and that they may have it abundantly.
Weymouth's New Testament
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy: I have come that they may have Life, and may have it in abundance.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
A nyyt theef cometh not, but that he stele, sle, and leese; and Y cam, that thei han lijf, and haue more plenteousli.
Update Bible Version
The thief does not come, but that he may steal, and kill, and destroy: I came that they may have life, and may have [it] abundantly.
Webster's Bible Translation
The thief cometh not, but to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they may have life, and that they may have [it] more abundantly.
New English Translation
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come so that they may have life, and may have it abundantly.
New King James Version
The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
New Living Translation
The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.
New Life Bible
The robber comes only to steal and to kill and to destroy. I came so they might have life, a great full life.
New Revised Standard
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
The thief, cometh not, save that he may thieve and slay and destroy: I, came, that, life, they might have, and, above measure, might have.
Douay-Rheims Bible
The thief cometh not, but for to steal and to kill and to destroy. I am come that they may have life and may have it more abundantly.
Revised Standard Version
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
The thefe cometh not but forto steale kyll and destroye. I am come that they myght have lyfe and have it more aboundantly.
Young's Literal Translation
`The thief doth not come, except that he may steal, and kill, and destroy; I came that they may have life, and may have [it] abundantly.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
A thefe cometh not, but for to steale, kyll, and destroye. I am come, yt they might haue life, and haue it more abundauntly.
Mace New Testament (1729)
the thief comes only to steal, to kill, and destroy: but I am come that they might have life, and have it with all its advantages.
Simplified Cowboy Version
A cattle rustler only comes to steal, kill, and destroy. I have come that my cattle will have tall grass and clean water . . . and have a bunch of it.

Contextual Overview

1 Jesus said, "I am telling you the truth: the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The man who goes in through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him; the sheep hear his voice as he calls his own sheep by name, and he leads them out. 4 When he has brought them out, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, because they know his voice. 5 They will not follow someone else; instead, they will run away from such a person, because they do not know his voice." 6 Jesus told them this parable, but they did not understand what he meant. 7 So Jesus said again, "I am telling you the truth: I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All others who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the gate. Those who come in by me will be saved; they will come in and go out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only in order to steal, kill, and destroy. I have come in order that you might have life—life in all its fullness.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

thief: John 10:1, John 12:6, Isaiah 56:11, Ezekiel 34:2-4, Hosea 7:1, Matthew 21:13, Matthew 23:14, Mark 11:17, Romans 2:21, 2 Peter 2:1-3

I am: John 3:17, John 6:33, John 6:51, John 12:47, Matthew 18:11, Matthew 20:28, Luke 19:10, 1 Timothy 1:15

more abundantly: Romans 5:13-21, Hebrews 6:17, Hebrews 7:25, 2 Peter 1:11

Reciprocal: Genesis 27:33 - yea Genesis 47:11 - Rameses Psalms 23:5 - preparest Psalms 119:40 - quicken Jeremiah 23:1 - pastors Jeremiah 33:6 - and will Jeremiah 50:17 - a scattered Habakkuk 3:2 - O Lord Zechariah 13:7 - my shepherd Luke 9:56 - the Son John 4:14 - shall be John 20:31 - believing Romans 5:17 - abundance Romans 5:20 - But 1 Corinthians 15:45 - a quickening 2 Corinthians 12:15 - will Ephesians 2:1 - you Ephesians 3:20 - exceeding 1 John 4:9 - we

Cross-References

Genesis 11:2
As they wandered about in the East, they came to a plain in Babylonia and settled there.
Genesis 11:9
The city was called Babylon, because there the Lord mixed up the language of all the people, and from there he scattered them all over the earth.
Genesis 14:1
Four kings, Amraphel of Babylonia, Arioch of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer of Elam, and Tidal of Goiim,
Isaiah 10:9
I conquered the cities of Calno and Carchemish, the cities of Hamath and Arpad. I conquered Samaria and Damascus.
Isaiah 11:11
When that day comes, the Lord will once again use his power and bring back home those of his people who are left in Assyria and Egypt, in the lands of Pathros, Ethiopia, Elam, Babylonia, and Hamath, and in the coastlands and on the islands of the sea.
Isaiah 39:1
About that same time the king of Babylonia, Merodach Baladan, son of Baladan, heard that King Hezekiah had been sick, so he sent him a letter and a present.
Jeremiah 50:21
The Lord says, "Attack the people of Merathaim and of Pekod. Kill and destroy them. Do everything I command you. I, the Lord , have spoken.
Daniel 1:2
The Lord let him capture King Jehoiakim and seize some of the Temple treasures. He took some prisoners back with him to the temple of his gods in Babylon, and put the captured treasures in the temple storerooms.
Amos 6:2
Go and look at the city of Calneh. Then go on to the great city of Hamath and on down to the Philistine city of Gath. Were they any better than the kingdoms of Judah and Israel? Was their territory larger than yours?
Micah 4:10
Twist and groan, people of Jerusalem, like a woman giving birth, for now you will have to leave the city and live in the open country. You will have to go to Babylon, but there the Lord will save you from your enemies.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

The thief cometh not but for to steal,.... That is his first and principal view; to steal, is to invade, seize, and carry away another's property. Such teachers that come not in by the right door, or with a divine commission, seek to deceive, and carry away the sheep of Christ from him, though they are not able to do it; and to steal away their hearts from him, as Absalom stole the hearts of the people from their rightful lord and sovereign, David his father; and to subject them to themselves, that they might lord it over them, and make a property of them, as the Pharisees did, who, under a pretence of long prayers, devoured widows' houses.

And to kill and to destroy; either the souls of men by their false doctrines, which eat as doth a cancer, and poison the minds of men, and slay the souls that should not die, subverting the faith of nominal professors, though they cannot destroy any of the true sheep of Christ; or the bodies of the saints, by their oppression, tyranny, and persecution, who are killed all the day long for the sake of Christ, and are accounted as sheep for the slaughter, by these men, they thinking that by so doing they do God good service.

I am come that they might have life; that the sheep might have life, or the elect of God might have life, both spiritual and eternal; who, as the rest of mankind, are by nature dead in trespasses and sins, and liable in themselves to an eternal death: Christ came into this world in human nature, to give his flesh, his body, his whole human nature, soul and body, for the life of these persons, or that they might live spiritually here, and eternally hereafter; and so the Arabic version renders it, "that they might have eternal life"; Nonnus calls it, "a life to come"; which is in Christ, and the gift of God through him; and which he gives to all his sheep, and has a power to give to as many as the Father has given him:

and that they might have [it] more abundantly; or, as the Syriac version reads, "something more abundant"; that is, than life; meaning not merely than the life of wicked men, whose blessings are curses to them; or than their own life, only in the present state of things; or than long life promised under the law to the observers of it; but even than the life Adam had in innocence, which was but a natural and moral, not a spiritual life, or that life which is hid with Christ in God; and also than that which angels live in heaven, which is the life of servants, and not of sons: or else the sense is, that Christ came that his people might have eternal life, with more abundant evidence of it than was under the former dispensation, and have stronger faith in it, and a more lively hope of it: or, as the words may be rendered, "and that they might have an abundance": besides life, might have an abundance of grace from Christ, all spiritual blessings in him now, and all fulness of joy, glory, and happiness hereafter.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

The thief cometh not ... - The thief has no other design in coming but to plunder. So false teachers have no other end in view but to enrich or aggrandize themselves.

I am come that they might have life - See the notes at John 5:24.

Might have it more abundantly - Literally, that they may have abundance, or that which abounds. The word denotes that which is not absolutely essential to life, but which is superadded to make life happy. They shall not merely have life - simple, bare existence - but they shall have all those superadded things which are needful to make that life eminently blessed and happy. It would be vast mercy to keep men merely from annihilation or hell; but Jesus will give them eternal joy, peace, the society of the blessed, and all those exalted means of felicity which are prepared for them in the world of glory.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse John 10:10. But for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy — Those who enter into the priesthood that they may enjoy the revenues of the Church, are the basest and vilest of thieves and murderers. Their ungodly conduct is a snare to the simple, and the occasion of much scandal to the cause of Christ. Their doctrine is deadly; they are not commissioned by Christ, and therefore they cannot profit the people. Their character is well pointed out by the Prophet Ezekiel, Ezekiel 34:2, c. Wo be to the shepherds of Israel, that do feed themselves! Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool ye kill them that are fed: but ye feed not the flock, c, How can worldly-minded, hireling, fox-hunting, and card-playing priests read these words of the Lord, without trembling to the centre of their souls! Wo to those parents who bring up their children merely for Church honours and emoluments! Suppose a person have all the Church's revenues, if he have God's wo, how miserable is his portion! Let none apply this censure to any one class of preachers, exclusively.

That they might have life — My doctrine tends to life, because it is the true doctrine-that of the false and bad shepherds tends to death, because it neither comes from nor can lead to that God who is the fountain of life.

Might have it more abundantly. — That they might have an abundance, meaning either of life, or of all necessary good things greater felicity than ever was enjoyed under any period of the Mosaic dispensation; and it is certain that Christians have enjoyed greater blessings and privileges than were ever possessed by the Jews, even in the promised land. If περισσον be considered the accusative fem. Attic, agreeing with ζωην, (see Parkhurst,) then it signifies more abundant life; that is, eternal life; or spiritual blessings much greater than had ever yet been communicated to man, preparing for a glorious immortality. Jesus is come that men may have abundance; abundance of grace, peace, love, life, and salvation. Blessed be Jesus.


 
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