John 10:6

⁴ And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.

⁵ And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.

⁷ Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.

⁸ All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: Jesus spoke to them using this illustration, but they did not understand what He was telling them.
KJV: This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.
WEB: Jesus spoke this parable to them, but they didn’t understand what he was telling them.
ASV: This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.
DARBY: This allegory spoke Jesus to them, but they did not know what it was [of] which he spoke to them.
BLB: Jesus spoke to them this allegory, but they did not know what it was that He was saying to them.

ÅB: Denne lignelse sa Jesus til dem; men de skjønte ikke hva det var han talte til dem.
OTB: Jesus brukte dette billedspråket, men de forstod ikke hva han sa til dem.
B1930: Denne lignelse sa Jesus til dem; men de skjønte ikke hvad det var han talte til dem.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Isaiah 56:11
Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter.
Read in context
Psalms 82:5
They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course.
Read in context
Proverbs 28:5
Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.
Read in context
John 16:25
These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father.
Read in context
Isaiah 6:9–10
And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not.
Read in context
Psalms 106:7
Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt; they remembered not the multitude of thy mercies; but provoked him at the sea, even at the Red sea.
Read in context
Matthew 13:51
Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord.
Read in context
Daniel 12:10
Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.
Read in context