John 10 15

John 10:15 kjv

As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

John 10:15 nkjv

As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.

John 10:15 niv

just as the Father knows me and I know the Father?and I lay down my life for the sheep.

John 10:15 esv

just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.

John 10:15 nlt

just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep.

John 10 15 Cross References

VerseTextReference
John 10:14"I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep and My sheep know Me."Father's knowledge of Jesus' relationship.
John 17:25"O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You..."Jesus' unique knowledge of the Father.
1 Corinthians 8:3"...if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him."Divine knowledge through love.
Galatians 4:9"...but now that you have known God, or rather are known by God, how can you..."God's knowing us as basis of relationship.
2 Timothy 2:19"Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal, 'The Lord..."God's knowing His own.
Hebrews 4:13"And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are..."God's exhaustive knowledge.
Psalm 139:1-6"O Lord, You have searched me and known me..."God's omniscience of David.
Matthew 11:27"All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the..."Jesus' unique knowledge of the Father.
John 14:6"Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to..."Jesus as the exclusive revelation of God.
John 8:55"Yet you have not known Him, but I know Him. And if I say I know Him, I..."Contrast between Jesus and His accusers.
1 John 2:3-6"Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments..."Knowing God through obedience.
1 John 4:8"He who does not love does not know God, for God is love."Love as evidence of knowing God.
John 1:18"No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the..."Jesus as mediator and revealer of God.
John 5:37"And the Father who sent Me has Himself testified of Me. You have neither..."The Father's testimony to Jesus.
Isaiah 53:11"He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied. By His knowledge My..."Jesus' knowledge of His work and satisfaction.
John 15:11"These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and your..."Sharing in Jesus' joy through relationship.
John 14:21"He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who..."The link between obedience and love.
John 13:34-35"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have..."Love as a mark of discipleship.
1 Samuel 16:7"...for the Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the..."God's inward focus of knowledge.
2 Corinthians 5:14"For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died..."Christ's death as motivation for love.
Romans 8:38-39"For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities..."Unshakable assurance through divine love.

John 10 verses

John 10 15 Meaning

Jesus declares His intimate knowledge of the Father, a knowledge mirroring the Father's knowledge of Him. This deep relational understanding is the basis for His authority and sacrificial offering for His sheep.

John 10 15 Context

This verse is found within Jesus' discourse in Jerusalem at the Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah). Jesus has been challenged by the Jews, particularly regarding His claims of divinity and His relationship with the Father. He uses the metaphor of the Good Shepherd to illustrate His unique care and authority over His sheep (believers). This specific verse emphasizes the deep, intimate, and reciprocal knowledge between Jesus and the Father, which is the foundation for Jesus' ability to lay down His life and His ultimate authority. The historical context involves ongoing tension between Jesus and the religious leaders, who were questioning His identity and actions, especially His associating with "sheep" (followers) whom they considered lost or disreputable.

John 10 15 Word Analysis

  • ἐγὼ (ego): "I". Emphasizes Jesus' personal identity and authority in making this declaration.
  • γινώσκω (ginosko): "to know," "to perceive," "to recognize," "to understand." Used here in its deepest sense, signifying an intimate, experiential, and relational knowledge, not mere intellectual acquaintance. It's a profound understanding that encompasses disposition, character, and will.
  • τὸν (ton): The definite article "the," specifying the Father.
  • πατέρα (patera): "Father" (accusative case of πατήρ - pater). Refers to God the Father.
  • καὶ (kai): "and." Connects the two clauses, showing the parallel and equal depth of knowledge.
  • γινώσκω (ginosko): Repeated, underscoring the mutuality of this deep knowledge.
  • μου (mou): "My" (genitive case). Pertaining to Jesus.
  • τὸν (ton): The definite article "the."
  • πατέρα (patera): "Father" (accusative case).

Words Group Analysis:

  • "I know the Father": This speaks of Jesus' unique divine insight into the very being, essence, and purposes of God the Father. It's a knowledge that transcends human comprehension and is grounded in His eternal relationship as the Son.
  • "and know My sheep and am known by My sheep": The immediate context in John 10:14 clarifies that Jesus is referring to His relationship with His sheep (believers). The verse 15 reiterates the Father's knowledge of Jesus, parallel to Jesus' knowledge of the Father, and also Jesus' knowledge of His sheep. The structure "I know... and I know... and am known..." highlights the reciprocal nature of relationship and divine understanding.

John 10 15 Bonus Section

The phrasing "I know the Father and the Father knows Me" points to the eternal, essential unity of the Godhead (Father and Son). This knowledge isn't learned; it's inherent to their divine being. The Old Testament already hinted at the pervasive nature of God's knowledge of His people and His foresight (e.g., Isaiah 49:1, 5, Jeremiah 1:5), but Jesus here expresses this on an unparalleled divine level between Himself and the Father, as well as in His specific relationship with His sheep. His complete knowledge of the Father allows Him to fully reveal the Father (John 1:18, 14:9). His laying down His life (John 10:11, 15) is an act entirely informed by this deep knowledge of the Father's will and purpose for salvation.

John 10 15 Commentary

This verse underscores the absolute perfection of Jesus' knowledge of the Father. It's not just intellectual; it's a relationship of perfect intimacy and unity. This divine knowledge is the source of Jesus' authority and His ability to represent the Father perfectly to humanity. The depth of this relationship also signifies His ultimate power and claim over His flock, His sheep, which was elaborated in the preceding verse. This intimate divine knowledge is foundational to His mediatorial work and His sacrificial purpose for His sheep. It's a concept that differentiates Jesus' understanding of God from any other human knowledge or spiritual insight. This deep, relational knowing mirrors the deep, relational knowing between the Father and the Son, forming a model for believers' relationship with Christ.

  • Practical Usage Example: Just as Jesus intimately knows the Father's will and heart, He knows His followers' needs and struggles intimately. We are called to respond by knowing Him through His Word and Spirit.