King James Bible
"To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out."
The porter (gatekeeper) recognizes the legitimate shepherd and grants him access to the sheep pen. In ancient Middle Eastern shepherding, multiple flocks often shared a common enclosure at night with a guardian who would only admit the true shepherds, establishing Jesus' authenticity as the genuine spiritual leader. Sheep develop an intimate familiarity with their shepherd's unique voice through daily interaction. This highlights the relational nature of Jesus' leadership—his followers recognize and respond to him not through force but through trust built on relationship. The shepherd's individual knowledge of each sheep demonstrates personal, intimate care rather than generic oversight. This personalized calling reflects God's particular knowledge of each believer, contrasting with hired hands who view sheep merely as a collective responsibility. The shepherd guides his flock from the safety of the pen to find pasture, taking responsibility for their direction and welfare. This movement from enclosure to open pasture suggests Jesus leading believers from confinement into spiritual freedom and provision.