Read & explore together
Jesus the Good Shepherd
In John 10:1–21, Jesus uses a parable about sheep, a shepherd and a door to explain who he is. He contrasts himself with thieves, robbers, strangers and a hired hand, and speaks about life, care and laying down his life.
Understanding the passage
Understanding the passage
This teaching begins with a parable about a sheep fold, the door and the shepherd. When the listeners do not understand, Jesus explains the picture by saying, “I am the sheep’s door” and “I am the good shepherd”. The passage ends with divided reactions to his words.
John 10:1–21Main takeaway
Jesus presents himself as the door for the sheep and the good shepherd who knows his own, gives life and lays down his life by his own choice.
Explore the teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01The shepherd’s voice and the stranger’s voiceJesus begins by contrasting the one who climbs in with the one who enters by the door. The shepherd is recognised, the sheep listen to his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
Explanation
Jesus begins by contrasting the one who climbs in with the one who enters by the door. The shepherd is recognised, the sheep listen to his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. They follow him because they know his voice, but they flee from strangers.
02Jesus the doorJohn says the listeners did not understand the parable, so Jesus explains it. He says, “I am the sheep’s door” and adds that those who came before him were thieves and robbers, though the sheep did not listen to them.
Explanation
John says the listeners did not understand the parable, so Jesus explains it. He says, “I am the sheep’s door” and adds that those who came before him were thieves and robbers, though the sheep did not listen to them. Entering by Jesus brings salvation, freedom of movement and pasture, unlike the thief’s stealing and destruction.
03Jesus the good shepherdJesus then says, “I am the good shepherd.” His care is shown in what he does: he lays down his life for the sheep.
Explanation
Jesus then says, “I am the good shepherd.” His care is shown in what he does: he lays down his life for the sheep. This is unlike the hired hand, who runs away when the wolf comes because he does not own the sheep and does not care for them in the same way.
04Known by his own, one flock, divided hearersJesus says he knows his own and is known by them, just as he knows the Father and the Father knows him.
Explanation
Jesus says he knows his own and is known by them, just as he knows the Father and the Father knows him. He speaks of other sheep who will become one flock with one shepherd. He also says he lays down his life by himself and has authority to take it again. His words divide the crowd.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What actions and responses in the parable show the difference between the shepherd and the stranger?
02When Jesus says, “I am the door”, what does he say happens for the one who enters by him?
Use the outcomes named in the passage, including salvation, going in and out, finding pasture and the contrast with the thief.
03Which words show both Jesus’ care for the sheep and the mixed reaction to his teaching?
Look for statements about knowing his own, laying down his life, and the two opposite responses from the listeners.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
John 10:1–21
1“Most certainly, I tell you, one who doesn’t enter by the door into the sheep fold, but climbs up some other way, is a thief and a robber.
2But one who enters in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
3The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
4Whenever he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.
5They will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him; for they don’t know the voice of strangers.”
6Jesus spoke this parable to them, but they didn’t understand what he was telling them.
7Jesus therefore said to them again, “Most certainly, I tell you, I am the sheep’s door.
8All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep didn’t listen to them.
9I am the door. If anyone enters in by me, he will be saved, and will go in and go out and will find pasture.
10The thief only comes to steal, kill, and destroy. I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly.
11“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
12He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who doesn’t own the sheep, sees the wolf coming, leaves the sheep, and flees. The wolf snatches the sheep and scatters them.
13The hired hand flees because he is a hired hand and doesn’t care for the sheep.
14I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and I’m known by my own;
15even as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. I lay down my life for the sheep.
16I have other sheep which are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will hear my voice. They will become one flock with one shepherd.
17Therefore the Father loves me, because I lay down my life, that I may take it again.
18No one takes it away from me, but I lay it down by myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. I received this commandment from my Father.”
19Therefore a division arose again among the Jews because of these words.
20Many of them said, “He has a demon and is insane! Why do you listen to him?”
21Others said, “These are not the sayings of one possessed by a demon. It isn’t possible for a demon to open the eyes of the blind, is it?”
Source passages
Source: John 10 ↗Keep exploring together
Lessons and activities connected with this reading.
