to show the character of a true shepherd of sheep, in four respects, (a) The porter opens the gate to him, knowing by his step and manner of approach, that he is a friend, and not an enemy. (6) The sheep recognize his voice, and attend to what he says, (c) He, knowing all his flock individually, calls each sheep by his own peculiar name, (d) He leads them out to feed, desiring daily to promote their health and well-being. In all these four points, he is unlike the thief and robber.
The different customs of Eastern countries, as compared to our own, must be carefully kept in mind, to understand the expres- sions of this verse. A fold in Palestine was a space enclosed by high walls, not by low hurdles. It had agate guarded by a porter at night, as the sheep could not be safely left alone. An Eastern shepherd kuows each sheep in his flock, and often has a name for each one. The sheep are led, and not driven.
About " the porter who opens," in this verse, opinions differ. Most commentators hold that the "porter" means the Holy Ghost, who calls true ministers into the Church, and " opens hearts; " and that the sense is, " to a true pastor the Holy Ghost gives a call to his office, and makes a wray into the hearts of hearers." This, no doubt, is excellent divinity, but I cannot think our Lord meant anything of the kind. The " porter " here is not said to call the pastor, but to open when the pastor comes ; nor yet to open hearts, but the door of the fold, through which the true pastor enters.— The view of Wordsworth, also held by Augustine, Rupertus, Builinger, and Flacius, — that the " porter" is Christ Himself, who is not only " Door," but "Por- ter," also, — does not appear to me necessary. I prefer, with Glassius, Grotius, Hutcheson, and Bloomfleld, regarding the whole sentence as a subordinate feature in the parable, signify- ing that a true shepherd of sheep not only enters by the lawful door, but that every facility is made for his entrance.
Some, as Chrysostom, Euthymius, aud Theophylact, think the "porter" may mean "Moses."
Others, as Ecolampadius, Lampe, Webster, think the "por- ter" means the ministers and teachers of the Church, who have the power of the keys, and the right to admit pastors.
Others, as Gomarus, Brentius, Maldonatus, Hall, Whitby, Bengel, and Hengstenburg, think the "porter" is God the Father.
The expression, "his own sheep," must not be pressed too far. It simply means that a real shepherd, according to Eastern cus- tom, knowing his own flock individually byname, calls them at once by their names, and proves his relation to them by so doing. If not his owi], he could not do so.
4.— [And when he putteth forth, etc.'] This verse is simply a con- tinuation of the description of a true and faithful shepherd of sheep. Whenever such an one takes his flock out to pasture, he