John 10:14 kjv
I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
John 10:14 nkjv
I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.
John 10:14 niv
"I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me?
John 10:14 esv
I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me,
John 10:14 nlt
"I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me,
John 10 14 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| John 10:27 | My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. | Direct fulfillment of the theme |
| Psalm 23:1 | The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. | Shepherd-sheep relationship |
| Psalm 100:3 | Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. | God's ownership and knowledge |
| Isaiah 40:11 | He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young. | Shepherdly care and gentleness |
| Jeremiah 23:3-4 | I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them... and they shall be fruitful and multiply. I will set shepherds over them who will care for them, and they shall fear no longer... | Future care for the flock |
| Ezekiel 34:11-16 | For thus says the Lord God: Behold, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out... And I will give them good pasture... I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I will make them lie down, declares the Lord God. I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed... I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak... | Divine Shepherd's detailed care |
| Luke 15:4-7 | What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one which is lost, until he finds it? | Searching for the lost sheep |
| 1 Corinthians 8:3 | but if anyone loves God, God knows him. | Divine knowledge of those who love God |
| 2 Timothy 2:19 | Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, sure of this: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” | God's secure knowledge |
| Hebrews 13:20 | Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our great shepherd of the sheep, our Lord Jesus, through the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with every good thing, that you may do his will... | 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 Shepherd and Overseer |
| Revelation 7:17 | For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. | Lamb as shepherd |
| Psalm 80:1 | To the choirmaster: according to “Lilies of Testimony.” A Psalm of Asaph. Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock! You who sit enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth. | Ancient title for God as Shepherd |
| John 10:11 | I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. | Further description of the shepherd |
| John 10:3-5 | ...and the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. | Sheep knowing the shepherd's voice |
| Matthew 11:29 | Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. | Learning from Jesus' gentleness |
| Song of Solomon 1:7 | Tell me, where you do feed your flock, where you make it to rest at noon: for why should I be as one that turns aside after the company of thy companions? | Question about shepherding |
| Acts 20:28-29 | Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. | Pastors as shepherds of the flock |
| Romans 11:33-34 | Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable are his ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord? | God's unfathomable knowledge |
John 10 verses
John 10 14 Meaning
Jesus declares His intimate knowledge of His sheep, highlighting a mutual, personal relationship akin to that of a shepherd and his flock. This deep knowing involves care, protection, and provision.
John 10 14 Context
This verse appears in the discourse of Jesus in the tenth chapter of John’s Gospel. Jesus has been interacting with the Pharisees and a blind man whom He healed. He uses the metaphor of the sheep and the shepherd to illustrate His divine nature and mission. Specifically, He contrasts the true shepherd with thieves and robbers who exploit the sheep. In the preceding verses, Jesus identifies Himself as the Gate for the sheep, and now as the Good Shepherd. This declaration occurs during the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, a time when religious and political tensions were high, especially regarding Jesus’ claims of divine authority.
John 10 14 Word Analysis
- "And" (Kai - και): A coordinating conjunction, connecting this statement to the preceding ones, indicating a further elaboration or a related point.
- "I" (Egō - ἐγώ): Emphasizes the subject, "I" am the one who knows. This personal pronoun underscores Jesus’ direct and authoritative statement.
- "know" (Episinasko - ἐπίσταμαι): This verb implies more than mere intellectual awareness. It signifies an intimate, personal, and experiential knowledge. It denotes deep understanding, familiarity, and close relationship. This is the same verb used in 1 Corinthians 13:12 ("fully known" – epignōsomai, from ginosko/episinasko root) suggesting a profound, comprehensive knowledge.
- "my" (Emoi - ἐμοί): Possessive pronoun indicating ownership and relationship. They belong to Jesus.
- "sheep" (Probata - πρόβατα): Refers to the flock, typically translated as sheep. In this context, it symbolizes the followers of Jesus, His disciples and believers. The word comes from probato, meaning "to go forward," fitting for followers who move under guidance.
John 10 14 Bonus Section
The concept of God knowing His people intimately is prevalent throughout Scripture, stretching back to the Old Testament. For instance, God told Moses in Exodus 33:17, "I will do the very thing that you have asked, for you have found favor in my sight, and I know you by name." This same divine knowing undergirds the apostles’ affirmations about believers’ relationship with Christ. The word episinasko used here can also imply an awareness of the true nature of things, suggesting Jesus' perfect understanding of His sheep's spiritual condition and their potential. This assurance of being known by God provides deep comfort and security to those who follow Him, in contrast to the insecurity experienced by those who do not.
John 10 14 Commentary
Jesus’ declaration in John 10:14 is a profound statement about the intimate nature of His relationship with His followers. The knowledge He possesses is not superficial; it is a deep, inherent understanding that defines His role as the Good Shepherd. This is a reciprocal knowledge: just as Jesus knows His sheep intimately, His sheep also know His voice and follow Him (John 10:4, 27). This divine knowing is the foundation of security, guidance, and care for believers. It is a personal intimacy that the Pharisees, with their self-appointed roles, failed to grasp. Their rejection stemmed from their inability to recognize Jesus as the true shepherd sent by the Father. This intimate knowledge means Jesus is aware of each individual’s needs, struggles, and joys. It implies protection from spiritual predators and guidance toward life and sustenance.