Keraia
John 10

John 10:15

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

Modern
…just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father. And I lay down My life for the sheep.
Traditional
As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
Literal
…just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father—and I lay down My life for the sheep.
Latin
Sicut novit me Pater, et ego agnosco Patrem: et animam meam pono pro ovibus meis.

Original

Greek
English
…just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father. And I lay down My life for the sheep.

Notes

John 10:15

The Father and the Son have an intimate relationship. Jesus shares a similar relationship with his sheep (his followers) through the Holy Spirit (14:23–31; 15:1–11).

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

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 Sheep Shepherd Soul

Topics

Christian Minister: Character and Attributes of God Knows your Name God: Fatherhood of Jesus, the Christ: Design of his Death Jesus, the Christ: Love of Jesus, the Christ: Parable of The Good Shepherd Jesus, the Christ: Relation of, to the Father Jesus, the Christ: Saviour Jesus, the Christ: Shepherd, Jesus the True: He Laid Down his Life For Jesus, the Christ: Son of God Jesus, the Christ: Teaches People (In Jerusalem) Sheep of the People of Christ Sheep of the Righteous Shepherd of Christ Suffering of Christ The Atonement was Voluntary The Humility of Christ: Exhibited in His: Death the Shepherd Christ: His Sheep: He Laid Down his Life For Titles and Names of Saints: Sheep of Christ