John 10:13 kjv
The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
John 10:13 nkjv
The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep.
John 10:13 niv
The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
John 10:13 esv
He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
John 10:13 nlt
The hired hand runs away because he's working only for the money and doesn't really care about the sheep.
John 10 13 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| John 10:12 | "The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep." | Immediately preceding context |
| Psalm 23:1-4 | "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want..." | Theme of shepherd care |
| Isaiah 40:11 | "He will feed his flock like a shepherd..." | Prophecy of shepherd imagery |
| Ezekiel 34:2-6 | "Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves!" | Judgment on unfaithful shepherds |
| Matthew 26:31 | "Then Jesus told them, 'This night all of you will desert me.'" | Prophecy of disciples' desertion |
| Mark 14:27-29 | Jesus tells his disciples they will all fall away. | Parallel account of prophecy |
| Luke 22:31-32 | Jesus warns Peter his faith will fail. | Focus on Peter's upcoming test |
| John 13:36-38 | Peter's boast and denial prediction. | Peter's assertion and Jesus' counter |
| John 10:11 | "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." | Contrast with the hired hand |
| John 10:27-28 | "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life..." | True shepherd's relationship with sheep |
| Philippians 2:20-21 | "For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ." | Selfishness contrasted with Christ's service |
| 2 Timothy 4:10 | "for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me..." | Example of desertion for worldly reasons |
| 2 Timothy 4:16 | "At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me." | Paul's experience of abandonment |
| Acts 20:29-30 | "I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock." | Warning of future threats |
| 1 Peter 5:1-4 | "To the elders among you, I appeal as elder myself..." | Encouragement to faithful shepherding |
| 1 Peter 5:8 | "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion..." | The nature of the "wolf" |
| Hebrews 12:4 | "In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood." | Comparison of endurance |
| Romans 12:1 | "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice..." | Living sacrifice of self for God |
| 1 Corinthians 9:23 | "I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings." | Motive of gospel workers |
| 1 John 2:15-17 | "Do not love the world or anything in the world." | Warning against worldly attachments |
| Jeremiah 23:1-2 | "“Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!” declares the Lord." | Old Testament parallel on bad shepherds |
| Titus 1:7-9 | "For a bishop must be above reproach..." | Qualifications of overseers |
John 10 verses
John 10 13 Meaning
The hired hand flees because he is not a shepherd and the sheep are not his. He abandons the sheep and runs away when he sees the wolf coming.
John 10 13 Context
This verse appears in Jesus' discourse in the temple during the Festival of Dedication. He has just declared, "I and the Father are one" (John 10:30), leading the Jewish leaders to try and stone him for blasphemy. Jesus withdraws from their immediate threat, reinforcing his identity as the Good Shepherd and explaining his unique relationship with his sheep (believers) in contrast to a mere hired hand. The immediate context is about contrasting motivations and responsibilities towards the sheep in times of danger. The broader context of John's Gospel emphasizes Jesus' divine identity and his salvific work.
John 10 13 Word Analysis
- δὲ (de): "But" or "and." A conjunction indicating contrast or continuation. Here, it introduces the contrast between the hired hand and the shepherd.
- ὁ (ho): "the." The definite article.
- μισθωτὸς (misthōtos): "hired hand," "wage earner," "mercenary." Refers to someone hired for a temporary service, not committed by ownership or intrinsic relationship. This word highlights a lack of personal investment and responsibility.
- οὐκ (ouk): "not." A strong negation.
- ἔστιν (estin): "is." The third-person singular present indicative of εἰμί (eimi), "to be."
- ποιμήν (poimēn): "shepherd." One who tends, guards, and feeds sheep. Carries connotations of care, leadership, protection, and intimacy with the flock.
- ἀλλ’ (all'): "but," "rather." A strong adversative conjunction, further emphasizing the contrast.
- ἴδια (idia): "his own," "personal," "private." This emphasizes possession and belonging.
- τὰ (ta): "the." The neuter plural definite article.
- πρόβατα (probata): "sheep." A term often used metaphorically for God's people.
- οὐκ (ouk): "not."
- ἔστιν (estin): "are."
- αὐτοῦ (autou): "his." The masculine genitive singular personal pronoun, indicating possession or relationship. This is crucial – the sheep are not his.
Group Analysis: The phrase "ὁ μισθωτὸς οὐκ ἔστιν ποιμήν" directly contrasts the temporary, uncommitted nature of the hired hand with the true, committed role of a shepherd. The subsequent phrase "ἀλλ’ ἴδια τὰ πρόβατα οὐκ ἔστιν αὐτοῦ" explains why the hired hand is not a true shepherd: his lack of personal ownership or bond with the sheep. This is the core of the distinction Jesus is making.
John 10 13 Bonus Section
This distinction between a hired hand and a true shepherd is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, where prophets condemned unfaithful leaders who exploited rather than protected the flock (Ezekiel 34, Jeremiah 23). Jesus identifies himself as the ultimate fulfillment of the Good Shepherd prophesied in the Old Testament. The "wolf" represents external dangers like persecution, false teachers, or spiritual opposition that threaten believers. The hired hand's flight highlights a failure in duty driven by a lack of intrinsic commitment, a principle observable in many areas of life where personal stake influences action in crisis.
John 10 13 Commentary
The hired hand’s defining characteristic is his lack of genuine care for the sheep because they do not belong to him. His motivation is his wage, not the welfare of the flock. When danger arrives, his instinct is self-preservation, abandoning the sheep to the wolf. This contrasts sharply with the good shepherd (Jesus) who is willing to lay down his life for his sheep. The verse underscores the importance of genuine love, responsibility, and personal investment in spiritual leadership. A true shepherd possesses a deep connection and commitment to those under their care, seeing them as precious and belonging to God, which motivates them to protect and provide even at personal cost. This principle applies to all spiritual leadership, from Jesus Himself to elders and those ministering within the church.