Keraia
John 10

John 10:14

Jesus the Good Shepherd · John 10:1–21
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Translations

Modern
I am the good shepherd. I know My sheep and My sheep know Me,
Traditional
I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
Literal
I am the good shepherd, and I know My own, and My own know Me—
Latin
Ego sum pastor bonus: et cognosco meas, et cognoscunt me meæ.

Original

Greek
English
I am the good shepherd. I know My sheep and My sheep know Me,

Notes

John 10:11–14

I am: See study note on 6:35. The good shepherd guides his sheep, finds food and water, and locates paths in the wilderness (see Psalm 23). The good shepherd stands between his sheep and danger (John 10:11).

The Old Testament describes God as Israel’s shepherd (Psalms 23; 80:1; Isaiah 40:10–11). The religious leaders of God’s people should care for their flock as God does (Ezekiel 34:23). However, the leaders of Israel in the time of Jesus were not good shepherds.

John 10:14–17

I give my life for the sheep: Jesus was speaking about his coming death. He was referring to his crucifixion (his death on a cross; chapter 19).

John 10:1–21

This illustration of a shepherd and his sheep comes from a Middle Eastern perspective of shepherding and Old Testament traditions in first-century AD Jewish culture. God was the shepherd of Israel (Genesis 49:24; Psalms 23; 78:52–53; Isaiah 40:10–11).

Spiritual and political leaders of Israel were also shepherds of God’s people, the flock of God (Isaiah 56:9–12; Jeremiah 23:1–4; Ezekiel 34).

Jesus spoke these words during the Feast of Dedication (see John 10:22). At that time, people remembered both faithful and unfaithful leaders in Israel’s history.

In this setting, Jesus addressed the theme of shepherds. He spoke in a way that echoes Ezekiel 34, where God condemns bad shepherds and promises to care for his people himself. Jesus then identified himself as the good shepherd (John 10:11–14).

John 10:1–42

Chapter 10 continues the series of feast sermons (see study note on 5:1–10:42). Here, the setting is the Feast of Dedication. The timing of this feast is important for understanding the story (see study note on 10:22).

Theme notes and profiles

“I Am” Sayings of Jesus The Shepherd

Events

Parallels

Psalm 23:1–6 Ezekiel 34:11–24

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Eternal Life Ezekiel, Book of Herdsmen John, Gospel of Reward Servant Sheep Shepherd Soul

Topics

Christian Minister: Character and Attributes of God Knows your Name Jesus, the Christ: Love of Jesus, the Christ: Parable of The Good Shepherd Jesus, the Christ: Saviour Jesus, the Christ: Shepherd, Jesus the True: His Sheep he Knows Jesus, the Christ: Shepherd, Jesus the True: The Good Jesus, the Christ: Teaches People (In Jerusalem) Jesus, the Christ: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Privileges of Saints: Having: Christ for Their Shepherd Sheep of the People of Christ Sheep of the Righteous Shepherd of Christ Shepherds of Christ As the Good Shepherd Shepherds: Care of the Sheep By, Exhibited in Knowing Them The Excellency and Glory of Christ: As Shepherd the Shepherd Christ: His Sheep: He Knows the Shepherd Christ: The Good Titles and Names of Christ: Good Shepherd Titles and Names of Saints: Sheep of Christ Wisdom: Spiritual: Unclassified Scriptures Relating to