10:10 Who is the thief referred to here?
10:10 Who is the thief referred to here?
Jesus is referring to the religious leaders of Israel here who only ever cared about themselves and not the spiritual good of the people (CP Isa 56:9-12; Jer 23:1-6; Eze 13:22-23; 22:23-29; 34:2-10; Zech 11:15-18 with Mt 23:1-7, 13-33 (also Lu 11:42-52); Jn 10:11-14).
The more abundant life that Jesus promises does not only apply to our eternal wellbeing as so many Christians believe, but is also for this life too (CP Isa 53:4-5; Mt 4:23; 8:16-17; Lu 4:18; Ac 10:38; Ro 5:17; 1Pe 2:24; He 2:14).
Many in the church believe that the thief referred to in Jn 10:10 is Satan, but he is not in view at all here. Jesus is talking about the false shepherds in Israel who preceded Him, as these scriptures all clearly attest.
However, Satan's work is also to steal (CP Lu 8:11-12); to kill (CP Jn 8:44; He 2:14), and to destroy (CP Mk 9:22; Lu 13:16; Ac 10:38; 1Pe 5:8).