Keraia
John 10

John 10:16

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

Translations

Modern
I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them in as well, and they will listen to My voice. Then there will be one flock and one shepherd.
Traditional
And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
Literal
And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. It is necessary for Me to bring those also, and they will hear My voice, and there will be one flock and one shepherd.
Latin
Et alias oves habeo, quæ non sunt ex hoc ovili: et illas oportet me adducere, et vocem meam audient, et fiet unum ovile et unus pastor.

Interlinear

Greek
English
I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them in as well, and they will listen to My voice. Then there will be one flock and one shepherd.

Notes

John 10:16

other sheep: Jesus spoke about sheep who were not part of the present sheepfold. This refers to people outside Judaism who would later believe in him (see 11:52). The followers of Jesus would not be divided by ethnic background. Jewish and Gentile believers from many cultures would become one flock. There would be one shepherd and one united people (17:20–23).

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) Ezekiel, Book of Herdsmen Jesus Christ, Teachings of John, Gospel of Sheep Shepherd Soul

Topics

Church: Fold of Christ Church: Prophecies Concerning Prosperity of Church: Unity of Divisions are Contrary to The: Purpose of Christ Following Christ Gentiles: Prophecies of the Conversion of Jesus, the Christ: Love of Jesus, the Christ: Parable of The Good Shepherd Jesus, the Christ: Prophecies Concerning Universality of the Kingdom of Jesus, the Christ: Saviour Jesus, the Christ: Shepherd, Jesus the True: He Gathers Jesus, the Christ: Teaches People (In Jerusalem) Privileges of Saints: Having: Christ for Their Shepherd Prophecies Respecting Christ: The Conversion of the Gentiles to Him: Fulfilled Salvation: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Sheep of the People of Christ Sheep of the Righteous Shepherd of Christ the Shepherd Christ: His Sheep: He Gathers Titles and Names of Saints: Sheep of Christ Titles and Names of the Church: Fold of Christ