And when he putteth forth his own sheep
The Ethiopic version reads, "when he leads them all out"; in
order to bring them into proper pastures:
he goeth before them;
in allusion to the eastern shepherds, who when they put out their
flocks, did not, as ours do, drive them before them, and follow
after them, at least not always, but went before them: so Christ,
the great shepherd, goes before his flock, not only to provide
for them, but by way of example to them; in many instances he is
an ensample to the flock, as under shepherds, according to the
measure of grace received, should be: he has left them an example
in many respects, that they should tread in his steps:
and the sheep follow him;
in the exercise of the graces of humility, love, patience,
self-denial, and resignation of will to the will of God; and in
the discharge of duty, walking, in some measure, as he walked.
For they know his voice;
in the Gospel, which directs and encourages them to exercise
grace in him, and to walk in the path of duty: this they know by
the majesty and authority of it; and by the power with which it
comes to their souls; and by its speaking of him, and leading to
him; and by the evenness, harmony, and consistency of it. The
Persic version renders the whole thus; "when he calls and leads
out the sheep, they go before him, and their lambs after them,
for they know his voice".