John 10:11
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.
I am the good shepherd
In this phrase, Jesus identifies Himself as "the good shepherd," a title rich with Old Testament imagery and meaning. The Greek word for "good" is "kalos," which implies not only moral goodness but also beauty and nobility. The shepherd metaphor is deeply rooted in Jewish tradition, where leaders and kings were often depicted as shepherds of their people. In Psalm 23, David famously declares, "The LORD is my shepherd," highlighting God's guidance and care. By calling Himself the "good shepherd," Jesus is asserting His divine role as the ultimate leader and caretaker of His flock, surpassing all earthly shepherds.

The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep
This part of the verse underscores the sacrificial nature of Jesus' mission. The Greek word for "lays down" is "tithēmi," which means to set, place, or lay down voluntarily. This indicates that Jesus' sacrifice is not forced but a willing act of love. The phrase "for the sheep" emphasizes the substitutionary aspect of His sacrifice, where He takes the place of the sheep, protecting them from harm. Historically, shepherds would risk their lives to protect their flock from predators, but Jesus goes beyond this by willingly giving His life. This act of laying down His life is a fulfillment of the prophecies and a demonstration of the ultimate love and commitment He has for His followers, as seen in Isaiah 53, where the suffering servant bears the iniquities of others.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jesus Christ
The speaker of this verse, identifying Himself as the "good shepherd," a title that signifies His role as protector and savior of His followers.

2. The Good Shepherd
A metaphorical title used by Jesus to describe His sacrificial role and deep care for His followers, drawing on imagery familiar to His audience.

3. The Sheep
Represents the followers of Christ, who are under His care and protection, highlighting the relationship between Jesus and believers.

4. The Hireling (mentioned in surrounding verses)
A contrast to the good shepherd, the hireling does not own the sheep and flees when danger comes, symbolizing false leaders or those who do not truly care for the flock.

5. The Pharisees (contextual background)
Religious leaders of the time who are indirectly critiqued by Jesus through this metaphor, as they are seen as failing to truly care for the people.
Teaching Points
Sacrificial Love
Jesus' declaration as the good shepherd emphasizes His willingness to lay down His life for His followers, demonstrating the ultimate act of love and sacrifice.

True Leadership
The contrast between the good shepherd and the hireling teaches us about the qualities of true leadership—commitment, selflessness, and genuine care for others.

Security in Christ
As the good shepherd, Jesus provides security and protection for His followers, assuring them of His constant presence and care.

Call to Follow
Believers are called to recognize Jesus as their shepherd and to follow His voice, trusting in His guidance and provision.

Imitating the Shepherd
Christians are encouraged to emulate the good shepherd in their own lives, showing sacrificial love and care for others.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does understanding Jesus as the "good shepherd" influence your view of His role in your life today?

2. In what ways can you demonstrate the sacrificial love of the good shepherd in your relationships with others?

3. Reflect on a time when you felt the security and protection of Jesus as your shepherd. How did that experience strengthen your faith?

4. How can church leaders today model their leadership after the example of the good shepherd?

5. Considering the contrast between the good shepherd and the hireling, what characteristics should you look for in spiritual leaders? How can you apply this discernment in your church community?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Psalm 23
This well-known psalm describes the Lord as a shepherd, providing a rich Old Testament background to Jesus' claim, emphasizing guidance, provision, and protection.

Ezekiel 34
This chapter speaks of God Himself as the shepherd who will rescue His flock from false shepherds, aligning with Jesus' role as the good shepherd who lays down His life.

Hebrews 13:20
Refers to Jesus as the "great Shepherd of the sheep," reinforcing His role in the New Testament as the one who leads and sacrifices for His people.

1 Peter 5:4
Describes Jesus as the "Chief Shepherd," who will reward those who faithfully shepherd His flock, connecting to the idea of leadership and care.
The Good ShepherdD. Young John 10:11
The Good ShepherdCharles KingsleyJohn 10:11
The Shepherd of Our SoulsJohn Henry NewmanJohn 10:11
Climbing Up Some Other Way into HeavenD. L. Moody.John 10:1-13
Entrance Without QualificationH. O. Mackey.John 10:1-13
Jesus the Good ShepherdC. S. Pomeroy, D. D.John 10:1-13
Sheep to be Fed, not ShearedArchbp. Trench.John 10:1-13
ShepherdhoodBp. S. S. Harris.John 10:1-13
The Fold and the DoorS. S. Times., S. S. TimesJohn 10:1-13
The Fold of the SheepS. S. TimesJohn 10:1-13
The Shepherd and the FlockC. S. Robinson, D. D.John 10:1-13
Wrong Ways to HeavenJohn 10:1-13
Christ Comforting HimselfS. A. Tipple.John 10:11-15
Christ Died to Save MenJ. L. Nye.John 10:11-15
Christ the Good ShepherdJ. C. Jones, D. D.John 10:11-15
Christ the Good ShepherdArchdeacon Manning.John 10:11-15
Christ the Good ShepherdBoston HomiliesJohn 10:11-15
Christ the Good ShepherdC. H. Spurgeon.John 10:11-15
Christ's Collected FlocksT. Dwight, D. D.John 10:11-15
Christ's Knowledge of His SheepJ. Vaughan, M. A.John 10:11-15
Damon and PythiasJohn 10:11-15
God Loving His SonT. James, M. A.John 10:11-15
How Christ Knows His SheepH. W. Beecher.John 10:11-15
Other Sheep and One FlockC. H. Spurgeon.John 10:11-15
Our Lord's Resumption of LifeCanon Liddon.John 10:11-15
OutsidersT. De Witt Talmage.John 10:11-15
Satan a WolfW. H. Van Doren, D. D.John 10:11-15
Self-Sacrificing TeachersMonday Club SermonsJohn 10:11-15
The Father's Love of JesusA. Mackennal, D. D.John 10:11-15
The Good ShepherdJ. Brown, D. D.John 10:11-15
The Good ShepherdD. Moore, M. A.John 10:11-15
The Good ShepherdF. W. Robertson, M. A.John 10:11-15
The Good ShepherdC. H. Spurgeon.John 10:11-15
The Good ShepherdW. H. Van Doren, D. D.John 10:11-15
The Good Shepherd and His SheepR. Newton, D. D.John 10:11-15
The Good Shepherd Giveth His Life for the SheepG. F. Pentecost, D. D.John 10:11-15
The HirelingJ. Wesley.John 10:11-15
The Hireling IsT. Whitelaw D. D.John 10:11-15
The Mastery of LifeFred. Brooks.John 10:11-15
The MissionaryC. H. Spurgeon., T. Raffles, LL. D., J. Vaughan, M. A.John 10:11-15
The Mutual Knowledge of Christ and His PeopleC. Bradley, M. A.John 10:11-15
The Shepherd and His SheepWeekly PulpitJohn 10:11-15
The Shepherd and the SheepJ. Goodacre.John 10:11-15
The Shepherd's MarkJohn 10:11-15
The Slain ShepherdFamily ChurchmanJohn 10:11-15
The Son's Work Approved of the FatherJ. Brown, D. D.John 10:11-15
The Stimulating Power of the Consciousness of Being LovedS. A. Tipple.John 10:11-15
The True SheepArchdeacon Manning.John 10:11-15
The Understanding Between Shepherd and SheepJ. E. Vernon, M. A.John 10:11-15
This Fold and the Other SheepW. Arnot, D. D.John 10:11-15
United in Anticipation of DeathJohn 10:11-15
Unity DefinedF. W. Robertson, M. A.John 10:11-15
Unity the Final Purpose of GodDean Stanley.John 10:11-15
Victim and PriestJ. O. Dykes, D. D.John 10:11-15
People
Jesus, John, Solomon
Places
Jerusalem, Jordan River
Topics
Gives, Giveth, Keeper, Layeth, Lays, Sheep, Shepherd
Dictionary of Bible Themes
John 10:11

     2048   Christ, love of
     2069   Christ, pre-eminence
     2212   Christ, head of church
     2330   Christ, as shepherd
     2363   Christ, preaching and teaching
     2530   Christ, death of
     5103   Moses, significance
     5409   metaphor
     6027   sin, remedy for
     6617   atonement, in NT
     6668   grace, and Christ
     6752   substitution
     7786   shepherd, king and leader
     7942   ministry
     8136   knowing God, effects
     8402   claims
     8450   martyrdom

John 10:1-16

     4684   sheep

John 10:7-14

     2203   Christ, titles of

John 10:11-13

     5337   hiring

John 10:11-15

     5511   safety

John 10:11-16

     2018   Christ, divinity
     7130   flock, God's

Library
February 5 Morning
I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.--JOHN 10:10. In the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.--She took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.--If by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

March 18 Evening
His name shall be in their foreheads.--REV. 22:4. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep.--The foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.--Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. After that ye believed, ye were sealed
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

May 11 Evening
My sheep hear my voice.--JOHN 10:27. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: If any man hear my voice, and open the door, 1 will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. I sleep, but my heart waketh: it is the voice of my beloved that knocketh, saying, Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled. I opened to my beloved; but my beloved had withdrawn himself, and was gone: my soul failed when he spake: I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer.
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

December 10 Morning
No man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.--JOHN 10:29. I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.--The Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom.--We are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth,
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

July 18 Morning
He calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.--JOHN 10:3. The foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his; and, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ, depart from iniquity.--Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you . . . depart from me, ye that work iniquity.--The Lord
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

April 19 Morning
Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.--JOHN 10:7. The veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.--Christ . . . hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God.--The way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. No man cometh unto the Father, but by me.--Through
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

'Other Sheep'
[Footnote: Preached before the Baptist Missionary Society.] 'Other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear My voice; and they shall become one flock and one Shepherd.'--JOHN x. 16 (R.V.). There were many strange and bitter lessons in this discourse for the false shepherds, the Pharisees, to whom it was first spoken. But there was not one which would jar more upon their minds, and as they fancied, on their sacredest convictions, than this, that God's flock
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Gifts to the Flock
... By Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.'--JOHN x. 9. One does not know whether the width or the depth of this marvellous promise is the more noteworthy. Jesus Christ presents Himself before the whole race of man, and declares Himself able to deal with the needs of every individual in the tremendous whole. 'If any man'--no matter who, where, when. For all noble and happy life there are at least three things needed: security, sustenance, and a
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Good Shepherd
'I am the Good Shepherd, and know My sheep, and am known of Mine. 15. As the Father knoweth Me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down My life for the sheep.'--JOHN x. 14,15. 'I am the Good Shepherd.' Perhaps even Christ never spoke more fruitful words than these. Just think how many solitary, wearied hearts they have cheered, and what a wealth of encouragement and comfort there has been in them for all generations. The little child as it lays itself down to sleep, cries-- 'Jesus, tender Shepherd,
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

January the Seventeenth Spiritual Discernment
"My sheep hear My voice!" --JOHN x. 19-30. This is spiritual discernment. We may test our growth in grace by our expertness in detecting the voice of our Lord. It is the skill of the saint to catch "the still small voice" amid all the selfish clamours of the day, and amid the far more subtle callings of the heart. It needs a good ear to catch the voice of the Lord in our sorrows. I think it requires a better ear to discern the voice amid our joys! The twilight helps me to be serious; the noonday
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year

August the Twenty-Third not Lost in the Flock
"I know My sheep, and am known of mine." --JOHN x. 7-16. There is mutual recognition, and in that recognition there is confidence and peace. "I know my sheep." He knows us one by one. My knowledge of the individual wanes in proportion as the multitude is increased. The teacher with the smaller class has the deepest intimacy with her scholars. The individual is lost in the crowd. But not so with our Lord. There are no "masses" in His sight. However big the crowd, even though it be "a multitude
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year

The Shepherd of Our Souls.
"I am the good Shepherd: the good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep."--John x. 11. Our Lord here appropriates to Himself the title under which He had been foretold by the Prophets. "David My servant shall be king over them," says Almighty God by the mouth of Ezekiel: "and they all shall have one Shepherd." And in the book of Zechariah, "Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, and against the man that is My fellow, saith the Lord of Hosts; smite the Shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered."
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VIII

On the Words of the Gospel, John x. 14, "I am the Good Shepherd," Etc. Against the Donatists.
1. We have heard the Lord Jesus setting forth to us the office of a good shepherd. And herein He hath doubtless given us to know, as we may understand it, that there are good shepherds. And yet that the multitude of shepherds might not be understood in a wrong sense; He saith, "I am the good Shepherd." [4124] And wherein He is the good Shepherd, He showeth in the words following; "The good Shepherd," saith He, "layeth down His life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd,
Saint Augustine—sermons on selected lessons of the new testament

On the Words of the Gospel, John x. 30, "I and the Father are One. "
1. Ye have heard what the Lord God, Jesus Christ, the Only Son of God, born of God the Father without any mother, and born of a Virgin mother without any human father, said, "I and My Father are One." [4164] Receive ye this, believe it in such wise that ye may attain [4165] to understand it. For faith ought to go before understanding, that understanding may be the reward of faith. For the Prophet hath said most expressly, "Unless ye believe, ye shall not understand." [4166] What then is simply preached
Saint Augustine—sermons on selected lessons of the new testament

The Sheep and their Shepherd
In a very simple way, we shall speak about the proprietor of the sheep. "My sheep," says Christ. Then, we shall have a little to say about the marks of the sheep. After that I propose to talk awhile about the privileges of the sheep. "I know my sheep:" they are privileged to be known of Christ. "My sheep hear my voice." I. Who is the proprietor of the sheep? They are all Christ's. "My sheep hear my voice." How came the saints to be Christ's? They are his, first of all, because he chose them. Ere
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 17: 1871

The Good Shepherd
JOHN x. 11. I am the good shepherd. Here are blessed words. They are not new words. You find words like these often in the Bible, and even in ancient heathen books. Kings, priests, prophets, judges, are called shepherds of the people. David is called the shepherd of Israel. A prophet complains of the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves, and will not feed the flock. But the old Hebrew prophets had a vision of a greater and better shepherd than David, or any earthly king or priest--of a heavenly
Charles Kingsley—The Good News of God

Abbott -- the Divinity in Humanity
Lyman Abbott was born at Roxbury, Mass., in 1835. As successor to Henry Ward Beecher, at Plymouth Church, Brooklyn, he ministered with great spiritual power until 1898, when he resigned his pastorate to devote his entire time to The Outlook, of which he was, and still is, the editor. Dr. Abbott's conception of the minister's work is briefly summed up in his own words: "Whenever a minister forgets the splendid message of pardon, peace and power based on faith in Jesus Christ as God manifest in the
Grenville Kleiser—The world's great sermons, Volume 8

Life.
I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly.'--St. John x. 10. In a word, He came to supply all our lack--from the root outward; for what is it we need but more life? What does the infant need but more life? What does the bosom of his mother give him but life in abundance? What does the old man need, whose limbs are weak and whose pulse is low, but more of the life which seems ebbing from him? Weary with feebleness, he calls upon death, but in reality it is life he wants. It is
George MacDonald—Unspoken Sermons

The Disciple, -- what is the Meaning and Purpose of the Cross...
The Disciple,--What is the meaning and purpose of the cross, and why do pain and suffering exist in the world? The Master,--1. The cross is the key to heaven. At the moment when by My baptism I took the cross upon My shoulders for the sake of sinners, heaven was opened, and by means of My thirty-three years bearing of the cross and by death upon it, heaven, which by reason of sin was closed to believers, was for ever opened to them. Now as soon as believers take up their cross and follow Me they
Sadhu Sundar Singh—At The Master's Feet

Questions and Answers
Question. How may we know definitely that we are sanctified? Answer. We may know it by knowing that we have met all the conditions. This grace is obtained upon the conditions of consecration and faith. When we are sure that we have measured up to a true Bible consecration, we will have no difficulty in knowing that we are sanctified. The depth of meaning of this consecration does not necessarily need to be fully comprehended by the seeker, as we enter into this covenant, but there is a yielding up
J. W. Byers—Sanctification

Discourse on the Good Shepherd.
(Jerusalem, December, a.d. 29.) ^D John X. 1-21. ^d 1 Verily, verily, I say to you [unto the parties whom he was addressing in the last section], He that entereth not by the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. [In this section Jesus proceeds to contrast his own care for humanity with that manifested by the Pharisees, who had just cast out the beggar. Old Testament prophecies were full of declarations that false shepherds would arise to
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Feast of the Dedication. The Jews Attempt to Stone Jesus and He Retires to Peræa.
(Jerusalem and Beyond Jordan.) ^D John X. 22-42. ^d 22 And it was the feast of the dedication at Jerusalem: 23; it was winter; and Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch. [The feast of dedication was one of eight days' duration and began upon the 25th Chisleu, which, according to the calculation of M. Chevannes, fell upon the nineteenth or twentieth of December, a.d. 29. The feast was kept in honor of the renovation and purification of the temple in the year b.c. 164, after it had been desecrated
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Good Shepherd' and his one Flock' - Last Discourse at the Feast of Tabernacles.
The closing words which Jesus had spoken to those Pharisees who followed HIm breathe the sadness of expected near judgment, rather than the hopefulness of expostulation. And the Discourse which followed, ere He once more left Jerusalem, is of the same character. It seems, as if Jesus could not part from the City in holy anger, but ever, and only, with tears. All the topics of the former Discourses are now resumed and applied. They are not in any way softened or modified, but uttered in accents of
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

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