Utter Confusion

This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what He was saying to them. (John 10:6 ESV) 

In Jesus' figure of speech–or parable–concerning the shepherd vs. the stranger, there are certain aspects that may be somewhat difficult to ponder. Since Jesus is both the true shepherd and the door, what does it mean that the shepherd enters by the door? What is the significance of the shepherd leading the sheep out of the sheepfold, rather than into the sheepfold? Whatever these details are meant to signify, the overall contrast between a true spiritual leader and a false leader is clear. The hypocritical Pharisees were completely mystified. In their pride, the Pharisees could not imagine themselves in the role of "the stranger".