Whosoever are come — Independently of me, assuming any part of my character, pretending, like your elders and rabbis, to a power over the consciences of men, attempting to make laws in the Church, and to teach their own traditions as the way of salvation: all those prophets and expounders of God's word, that enter not by the door of the sheepfold, but run before I have sent them by my Spirit. Our Lord seems in particular to speak of those that had undertaken this office since he began his ministry, are thieves — Stealing temporal profit to themselves, and robbers — Plundering and murdering the sheep.
Related Commentaries of John 10:8
John 10:8
8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.