Not long before he spoke the illustration recorded at John 10: 1 - 16, Jesus had told his disciples that it was only to a “little flock ” that his Father had approved of giving the heavenly Kingdom.
Neilgi pirms tam, kad Jēzus pastāstīja līdzību, kas pierakstīta Jāņa 10: 1 — 16, viņš bija teicis mācekļiem, ka tikai ’ mazajam ganāmajam pulciņam ’ Tēvs ir nolēmis piešķirt debesu valstību.