John 10 14

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 verses

John 10 14 Meaning

John 10:14 declares Jesus' profound and intimate relationship with His followers, presenting Himself as "the good shepherd" who possesses a deep, personal, and relational knowledge of "His own" sheep. This declaration also highlights the reciprocal nature of this bond, as His sheep, in turn, personally "know Him." This mutual knowing signifies a unique, secure, and exclusive belonging rooted in divine care and recognition, distinguishing Christ from all other leaders.

John 10 14 Context

John 10:14 is part of Jesus' discourse on the Good Shepherd, which immediately follows the healing of the man born blind (John 9) and a subsequent confrontation with the Jewish leaders, specifically the Pharisees. The Pharisees, acting as "shepherds" of Israel, had rejected and excommunicated the man healed by Jesus, proving themselves to be unfaithful guardians of God's flock. Jesus uses the parable and direct statements of the Shepherd to contrast His own true, life-giving leadership with the self-serving, oppressive, and destructive leadership of these religious authorities, whom He earlier identifies as "thieves and robbers" (John 10:1) and "hirelings" (John 10:12-13) who abandon the sheep when danger arises. This verse specifically grounds the secure relationship between Jesus and His true followers within a context of clear spiritual conflict and definition of who truly belongs to Him.

John 10 14 Word analysis

• I (Greek: Egō - ἐγώ): An emphatic personal pronoun, frequently used by Jesus in John's Gospel (e.g., "I Am" statements) to underscore His divine identity and unique authority, asserting that He is the sole, exclusive subject of this profound relationship.
• am (Greek: eimi - εἰμί): The present tense of "to be," directly connecting to the divine self-declaration "I AM" (Exod 3:14), emphasizing Jesus' eternal existence and self-existent nature as the living God. It declares a constant, unchanging truth about His identity.
• the good shepherd (Greek: ho poimēn ho kalos - ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλός):
  • ho poimēn (the shepherd): Refers to a literal shepherd, a common, culturally significant figure in ancient Israel. Biblically, "shepherd" is often a metaphor for leaders, particularly kings and God Himself. Jesus here explicitly claims this title.
  • ho kalos (the good): This adjective is rich in meaning, encompassing not just moral goodness but also nobility, fitness, ideal beauty, and perfection in purpose. Jesus is the ideal shepherd, perfectly suited and righteous, contrasting sharply with hirelings and false leaders. He doesn't merely do good; He is the good one, inherently.
• know (Greek: ginōskō - γινώσκω): Not a superficial or merely intellectual acquaintance (oida), but a deep, personal, intimate, experiential, and saving knowledge. It implies a relationship built on recognition, trust, and mutual understanding. In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word yada also carried this sense of deep, relational knowing, sometimes even implying intimacy in marital contexts (e.g., Gen 4:1). Jesus' knowledge of His sheep is discerning, understanding their needs, weaknesses, and belonging.
• my own (Greek: ta ema - τὰ ἐμά): Literally, "the things that are mine" or "those who are mine." A possessive pronoun used as a noun, explicitly denoting ownership and belonging. It emphasizes that these individuals are distinctively Christ's, not merely His followers, but those who are personally and exclusively claimed by Him.
• and (Greek: kai - καί): A conjunction indicating a close connection and often parallelism, emphasizing the reciprocity between the two clauses.
• my own know me: The reciprocal knowledge. The sheep's knowledge of Jesus is also ginōskō, personal and intimate. This is not head knowledge but an experiential recognition of His voice (John 10:4, 27), His leadership, His care, and His saving work. It implies trust, obedience, and allegiance, leading them to follow Him.

Words-group analysis

• "I am the good shepherd": This powerful self-designation aligns Jesus with Old Testament prophecies and the divine portrayal of God as the Shepherd of His people (Psa 23; Ezek 34). It establishes His unique authority, benevolent character, and divine identity as the one who fulfills God's care for His flock, and uniquely, His readiness to sacrifice His life (John 10:11, 15).
• "I know my own and my own know me": This statement forms the core of the verse, articulating the mutual, deep, and intimate relationship between Jesus and true believers. It underscores the security, personal nature, and reciprocal trust that define their bond. His knowing implies watchful care, selection, and protection; their knowing implies recognition, submission, and following. This mutual relationship forms the basis of eternal life and eternal security.

John 10 14 Bonus section

• Hebraic Influence on ginōskō: The choice of ginōskō (γνώσκω) in Greek to convey "know" aligns strongly with the rich meaning of the Hebrew verb yada (ידע). Yada implies not just intellectual knowledge but also intimate, experiential relationship, often used to describe deep personal connection, covenant, and even marital relations. This deepens the understanding that Jesus' knowledge of His sheep is profoundly personal, and their knowledge of Him is a relational, lived experience.
• Exclusivity and Distinctiveness: The phrasing "I know my own and my own know me" highlights a crucial point of distinction. This intimate knowledge is not universal; it is exclusive to "His own," emphasizing the elect nature of the flock and differentiating true believers from those who merely hear without understanding or following (John 10:26-27). It implicitly challenges the broad claims of the religious establishment, indicating that outward affiliation does not equate to this deep, spiritual connection.
• Covenantal Foundation: The mutual knowing described here forms the very foundation of the New Covenant (Jer 31:34). It’s a promise of direct, personal access to God and understanding of Him, in contrast to a mediated, ceremonial religion. Through Jesus, this intimate knowledge becomes the hallmark of the new community of God's people.

John 10 14 Commentary

John 10:14 beautifully encapsulates the essence of Christ's relationship with His true followers: it is one of profound intimacy and secure belonging. Jesus' declaration as "the good shepherd" signifies His inherent excellence, moral integrity, and ultimate suitability to lead, protect, and provide for His flock, distinguishing Him from any other leader or religious system. The central message revolves around the mutual, personal knowledge shared between the Shepherd and His sheep. Christ knows each of "His own"—not merely by information, but through a deep, personal, and redemptive recognition that validates their identity as His. This knowing entails His care, discernment, and sovereign choice. In turn, His sheep "know Him," which is an active, living, and obedient recognition of His voice and authority, fostering trust and enabling them to follow. This dynamic creates an unbreakable bond, ensuring the sheep's security and His faithful provision, embodying a secure covenantal relationship that is personal, loving, and eternal.