John 10:10, the Thief Comes to Steal, Kill, and Destroy?

In John 10 10 Jesus said, The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

Often when this verse gets quoted the thief is described as the devil but that's not exactly the context. To the

Jews and Pharisees Jesus said, Truly I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber.

But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

When he has brought out all his own he goes before them and the sheep follow him for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow but they will flee from him for they don't know the voice of strangers.

The Jews didn't understand Jesus' figure of speech so he said it again, Truly I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.

All who came before me were thieves and robbers but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door.

If anyone enters by me he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.

I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. In context we see that thieves and robbers are false teachers who con with their lies and destroy by twisting the life -saving gospel.

Jesus was referencing Ezekiel's warning about the shepherds of Israel who use their position to feed themselves rather than God's people.

Today there are false ministers who twist God's word for selfish gain. The true followers of Jesus won't listen to such strangers.

They will follow the Good Shepherd who gives abundant life, meaningful and eternal when we understand the text.