John 10:11 - Printer Friendly

ESV: I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

NIV: I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

NASB: I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.

CSB: "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

NLT: I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep.

KJV: I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

NKJV: “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.

This is the fourth of seven instances where Jesus evokes the "I am" terminology which implies He is divine. This echoes the statement made by God to Moses through the burning bush (Exodus 3:14). This claim is separate from the "I am" statement made in verses 7 and 9. It is also a separate analogy—related, but not identical, to the first two Jesus spoke in this chapter. Here Jesus claims to be "the good shepherd," using the Greek phrase ho kalos. This suggests the ideal, the pinnacle, or the perfect example of something.

In the first analogy, Jesus pointed out that sheep only follow the voice of "their" shepherd, not the voice of a stranger. Those who reject Christ do so because they don't belong to Him. In the second metaphor, Jesus claimed to be "the door," referring to the narrow gap which was the only legitimate entrance or exit for the sheep pen. Jesus, and Jesus alone, is the measure of man's salvation. He came to offer life, and there are only two possible responses: to be "in" or "out," and only those who are in Christ can be saved.

David's experiences clearly show that shepherding in the ancient world was hardly safe (1 Samuel 17:34–37). Jacob's struggles prove it was not easy (Genesis 31:38–40). Shepherds not only had to keep watch over the flock to prevent strays, but had to defend the sheep from animals like wolves and bears, as well as thieves.

In this analogy, Jesus again contrasts Himself with the selfish, ungodly religious leaders who so often prey on other people. They, like a thief, use illicit means and wreak havoc on the flock, all for their own gain. Jesus offers life and in abundance (John 10:10). Maintaining this contrast, Jesus frames Himself as "the Good Shepherd," who puts His life on the line for the flock. Jesus' religious critics, such as the scribes and Pharisees, were by extension "bad" shepherds, unwilling or unable to truly care for those they claimed to serve.

At the same time, Jesus' words here foreshadow the idea that His earthly purpose is to die on behalf of His "sheep."

John 10:1–21 continues directly from Jesus' encounter with local religious leaders, after giving sight to a man born blind (John 9). Jesus' references here to shepherds and shepherding are pointed barbs at these hypocritical, self-serving figures. In this section, Jesus actually creates three separate metaphors; these are not meant to be understood as a single analogy. The first comes in verses 1 through 6, the second in verses 7 through 9, and the third in verses 10 through 18. In doing so, Jesus explains how He differs from the corrupt leaders He confronts. He also delivers His third and fourth ''I am'' statements, out of seven in this gospel.

This passage continues Jesus' discussion with the religious leaders of Jerusalem, seen in chapter 9. Jesus lays out three separate analogies about His ministry, using the concept of sheep and shepherds. In those statements, Jesus explains why some people refuse to accept Him, declares Himself the only means of salvation, and again predicts His sacrificial death. This leads to controversy. Later, Jesus is cornered by a mob in the temple grounds. They once again try to stone Him as He repeats His divine claims, but He escapes in some way not fully described by the text. After this, Jesus leaves the area and returns to the region where John the Baptist had once preached.

Starting in chapter 7, the gospel of John describes Jesus' preaching at the Feast of Booths in Jerusalem. Through chapters 7 and 8, He debates with critics and attempts to explain spiritual truths. On the way out of the city, Jesus gives sight to a man born blind, as shown in chapter 9. That begins an extended debate which continues in this chapter. Jesus gives analogies of His mission using shepherding as a theme. Months later, He repeats those ideas when cornered by an aggressive mob in the temple. This sets the stage for His grandest miracle, the raising of Lazarus, seen in chapter 11.

The gospel of John was written by the disciple John, decades later than the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. The author assumes that a reader is already familiar with the content of these other works. So, John presents a different perspective, with a greater emphasis on meaning. John uses seven miracles—which he calls “signs”—in order to prove that Jesus is, in fact, God incarnate. Some of the most well-known verses in all of the Bible are found here. None is more famous than the one-sentence summary of the gospel found in John 3:16.