John 10:11 kjv
I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
John 10:11 nkjv
"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.
John 10:11 niv
"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
John 10:11 esv
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
John 10:11 nlt
"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep.
John 10 11 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| John 10:11 | "I am the good shepherd..." | Present Verse |
| Psalm 23:1 | "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." | Expresses divine provision/care |
| Isaiah 40:11 | "He will tend his flock like a shepherd..." | God's tender care for Israel |
| Ezekiel 34:11 | "For thus says the Lord God: Indeed I myself will search for my sheep..." | God's personal pursuit of His flock |
| Ezekiel 34:23 | "And I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David..." | Prophecy of a future shepherd |
| Micah 5:4 | "And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord..." | Prophecy of the Messiah as shepherd |
| Luke 15:3-7 | Parable of the Lost Sheep | Jesus' seeking lost souls |
| Hebrews 13:20 | "Now may the God of peace... bring you out of the sheep of the eternal covenant by the blood of our eternal shepherd, Jesus." | Jesus as the Great Shepherd |
| 1 Peter 2:25 | "For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls." | Jesus as the Shepherd of souls |
| John 10:1 | "He who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber." | Contrasts with true shepherd |
| John 10:12-13 | "The hired hand ... sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees..." | Defines hireling vs. Good Shepherd |
| John 10:14-15 | "I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep." | Jesus' knowledge and sacrifice |
| Romans 5:8 | "but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." | God's love demonstrated in death |
| Acts 20:28 | "...to shepherd the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood." | Jesus' blood purchased the flock |
| 1 Corinthians 11:1 | "Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ." | Following Christ's example |
| Ephesians 5:2 | "and walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." | Christ's sacrificial love |
| Philippians 2:5-8 | "Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus..." | Christ's humility and obedience |
| Colossians 1:13-14 | "...he has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins." | Redemption through Christ's blood |
| Revelation 7:17 | "For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd..." | Lamb/Shepherd imagery in Revelation |
| Revelation 14:4 | "...these are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever he goes..." | Followers of the Lamb/Shepherd |
John 10 verses
John 10 11 Meaning
Jesus declares Himself the Good Shepherd, contrasting His genuine care for His sheep with the selfish motives of hirelings. He willingly lays down His life for them, a sacrificial act that defines true shepherding.
John 10 11 Context
This verse appears in Jesus' discourse with the Pharisees in Jerusalem, following His healing of a man born blind (John 9). Jesus uses the imagery of a shepherd and sheepfold to illustrate His relationship with His followers and to contrast His true care with the religious leaders' exploitative leadership. He has just spoken about entering the sheepfold through the door (v. 2) and His sheep recognizing His voice. This statement of being the "good shepherd" serves as a definitive assertion of His divine authority and compassionate purpose. The context highlights His divine identity, His relationship with the Father, and His ultimate redemptive mission.
John 10 11 Word Analysis
Ego (Greek: ἐγώ) - "I." This is a strong personal pronoun, emphasizing Jesus' unique claim and identity.
Eimi (Greek: εἰμί) - "am." Connects "I" to the predicate "good shepherd," stating existence and identity.
Ho kalos (Greek: ὁ καλός) - "the good." "Kalos" implies moral excellence, beauty, and suitability. It's more than just "good" in the sense of not being bad; it denotes perfect quality and beneficence.
Poimēn (Greek: ποιμήν) - "shepherd." A common metaphor for leaders and protectors in the ancient world, deeply resonant with Old Testament imagery.
Tisēmi (Greek: τίθημι) - "lay down." The original word is in the present tense, though the immediate act of laying down His life is future, it signifies an ongoing, inherent readiness and commitment. It conveys voluntary surrender.
Tēn psychēn (Greek: τὴν ψυχήν) - "the soul" or "life." Refers to the very essence of being, life itself.
Mou (Greek: μου) - "my" or "mine." Possessive pronoun indicating ownership and intimate relationship.
Ego eimi ho kalos poimēn tisēmi tēn psychēn mou: "I am the good shepherd; I lay down my life." This powerful statement connects identity ("I am") with action ("I lay down my life"), defining what it means to be truly good and devoted to the flock.
Kalos Poimēn (Good Shepherd): This is a superlative statement of leadership. Unlike the hireling who is driven by wages (John 10:13) or the thieves and robbers who seek to exploit (John 10:1, 8), the Good Shepherd gives His life. This quality of sacrifice is what sets Him apart and makes His shepherding perfect.
John 10 11 Bonus Section
The concept of a shepherd in the Ancient Near East carried significant weight. A true shepherd was not just an overseer but was personally involved with the flock, protecting them from predators, finding lost sheep, and bearing the responsibility for their well-being, often at great personal risk. This understanding amplifies the significance of Jesus' claim. Furthermore, the prophecy of David as a shepherd-king in Ezekiel 34 directly points to the Messiah who would care for God's people, making Jesus' self-identification a direct fulfillment of ancient hope. His relationship with the sheep is intimate ("I know my own and my own know me"), a reflection of the relationship between the Father and the Son (John 10:15). This intimate knowledge and shared life is the basis of His authoritative shepherding.
John 10 11 Commentary
Jesus, by claiming to be the "Good Shepherd," identifies Himself with the ideal shepherd anticipated in the Old Testament. This is not merely a description of care, but an announcement of self-sacrificial love. The term "good" (kalos) signifies a superior, divine quality, distinct from superficial or self-serving leadership. The commitment to "lay down His life" underscores the ultimate nature of His love and the certainty of redemption for those who follow Him. This statement is a cornerstone of His self-revelation, framing His mission as one of profound devotion and atonement. It distinguishes His leadership from any earthly imitation.