Note 1 at Joh 10:1: The sheepfold (sometimes called "sheep cote") was an enclosure into which sheep were usually driven to spend the night. It was common for these pens to be permanent structures with walls made of stone and topped with branches from thorn bushes to discourage intruders. Although the sheep usually spent the night in the open area of the enclosure, there were also low, flat buildings available for cold nights or inclement weather.

There was often room for several flocks of sheep to spend their nights in one enclosure with an "under-shepherd" guarding the door. When the shepherds came in the morning, the under-shepherd would let them in. The sheep would know their shepherd and follow his voice, and the shepherd knew his sheep.

Sheepfolds far from home were made with thorn branches, although caves and other natural enclosures were used when available.