Contrary to what almost every single Christian on planet earth will tell you, when John 10:10 says that “the thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy” it isn’t talking about Satan (although he does do those things); it is talking about religious, legalistic, Pharisees.

Let’s read some of the context of John 10:10…

John 10:10 is in the midst of the parable of the Good Shepherd.  At the very beginning of the parable, Jesus directs it at the Pharisees:

“Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber.” John 10:1

Notice, not only is the parable directed at the Pharisees, but right here Jesus gives the definition of who the thief (or “thieves” in this case) are.  A thief is anyone who tries to get to God by their own works instead of Christ (not going through the gate but climbing some other way).

Then Jesus goes on to tell them that they are the strangers who His sheep won’t listen to, but the Pharisees don’t get that He is talking about them!

“But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.”  Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them.” John 10:5-6

Then the passage goes on to say:

“Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep.  All who have come before me are thieves (plural) and robbers (plural), but the sheep have not listened to them (plural).” John 10:7-8 (Notes mine)

Clearly Jesus is not thinking of “a thief” in this story, but of “thieves.”  He gives another definition for who the thieves are; He says they are those “who came before” Him.

So far we have gotten up to verse 8, and so far there has been no mention of Satan.  So far the thieves in reference are clearly the Pharisees.

So now we get to John 10:9-10

“I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture.  The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:9-10

The thief/thieves in this verse are the legalistic Pharisees who try to get to God by their own works instead of Christ, and who try to trick the Sheep into following them instead of Jesus.

So does this parable mention Satan?  Yes it does, but not as the thief.  Satan’s character in this story is actually the wolf!

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it.  The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.” John 10:11-13

So let’s break this parable down simple:

The thieves, robbers, strangers, and hired hands = the legalistic Pharisees.

The gate/good shepherd = Jesus.

The sheep = the followers of Jesus and/or humanity.

The wolf = Satan.

I leave you now with the end of the parable:

“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—  just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.  I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again.  No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.” John 10:14-18