What does John 10:16 mean?

Jesus has been making analogies about His ministry using the theme of shepherding. So far, He has made three main points. The first is that a person's response to Jesus depends on whether they are part of "His" flock, or not (John 10:1–6). The second explained that Jesus is the single means by which mankind is meant to find salvation (John 10:7–9). In the third, Jesus proclaims Himself the "Good Shepherd" to contrast His self-sacrifice and protection with those who abuse or abandon those they claim to lead (John 10:10–14). In prior verses, Jesus noted how sheep naturally know the voice of their own shepherd, and that His intimate relationship with His spiritual flock mirrors the relationship between Himself and God the Father (John 10:14–15).

Here, Jesus makes a comment which would have likely offended any Jewish listener who understood it. Jesus has claimed to be "the Door," meaning that He alone is how people are reconciled to God. He has also explained that there are some who are part of "His" flock, and some who are not. Jewish people were more than comfortable with the idea of God preferring a certain group—their national identity was as God's chosen people (Deuteronomy 14:2). But now Jesus speaks about "other sheep," not part of the current fold, which He plans to bring together to be united under a single shepherd.

This is a reference to the Gentiles—the non-Jewish nations—and their acceptance by God through the ministry of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 3:6). This, for many Jews, was a major stumbling block to belief, even within the Christian community after Jesus' resurrection (Acts 11:1–18). "This fold," as Jesus means it here, is the nation of Israel. There are sheep, however, that belong to Christ and yet are not of that group. These are the Gentile people who will come to faith in Jesus (Galatians 3:27–28).