4. Who are the first ones collected as sheep in line with what Jesus here said?

⁴ Before doing that, however, Jesus as the Fine Shepherd personally gathered disciples. The first ones were introduced to him by John the Baptist, the “doorkeeper” of Jesus’ illustration. Jesus was looking for people who would respond to the opportunity to become part of the composite ‘seed of Abraham.’ (Genesis 22:18; Galatians 3:16, 29) He cultivated in their hearts appreciation for the Kingdom of the heavens, and he assured them that he was going to prepare a place for them in the house of his heavenly Father. (Matthew 13:44-46; John 14:2, 3) Fittingly he said: “From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of the heavens is the goal toward which men press, and those pressing forward are seizing it.” (Matthew 11:12) These who followed him so as to attain that goal proved to be within the sheepfold of which Jesus spoke.

John 10:1-