John 10:3

To him (toutwi). "To this one," the shepherd, in dative case. The porter (o qurwro). Old word for doorkeeper (qura, door, wra, care, carer for the door). Used for man ( Mark 13:34 ; John 10:3 ) or woman ( John 18:16 ), only N.T. examples. The porter has charge of the sheep in the fold at night and opens the door in the morning for the shepherd. It is not certain that Jesus meant this detail to have a special application. The Holy Spirit, of course, does open the door of our hearts for Jesus through various agencies. Hear his voice (th pwnh autou akouei). Hear and heed (verse John 27 ). Note genitive case pwnh (accusative in John 3:8 ). By name (kat onoma). Several flocks might be herded in the same fold overnight. But the shepherd knows his own (ta idia) sheep (verse John 27 ) and calls their names. "It is still common for Eastern shepherds to give particular names to their sheep" (Bernard). And leadeth them out (kai exagei auta). Old and common verb, present active indicative. The sheep follow readily (verse John 27 ) because they know their own shepherd's voice and his name for each of them and because he has led them out before. They love and trust their shepherd.