John 10 27

John 10:27 kjv

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

John 10:27 nkjv

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.

John 10:27 niv

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

John 10:27 esv

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.

John 10:27 nlt

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

John 10 verses

John 10 27 Meaning

John 10:27 succinctly describes the distinctive, active, and reciprocal relationship between Jesus, the Good Shepherd, and His followers, who are identified as His sheep. It outlines three crucial characteristics: the sheep's capacity to recognize and respond to the Shepherd's call, the Shepherd's intimate and personal knowledge of His own, and the sheep's responsive obedience in following Him. This verse serves as a summary of the characteristics of true believers, highlighting their unique spiritual connection and commitment to Christ.

John 10 27 Context

John 10:27 is part of Jesus' discourse about Himself as the Good Shepherd, which begins in chapter 10. This chapter unfolds following the healing of the man born blind (John 9), where Jesus explicitly challenged the spiritual blindness of the Jewish religious leaders, implicitly presenting Himself as the true spiritual guide in contrast to their failure. The immediate setting of verse 27 is the Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah) in Jerusalem, where Jesus is again confronted by the Jewish leaders. They press Him, asking if He is the Christ, but also question His claims to be one with the Father.

In response, Jesus explains the nature of His true followers using the analogy of a shepherd and his sheep. He contrasts His true sheep with "thieves and robbers" (the false religious leaders who fleece the flock) and "hired hands" (those who lack genuine care). The shepherd's door, the shepherd's voice, and the shepherd's personal care are central themes. Verse 27 explicitly states the reciprocal relationship, underscoring why some believe and others do not: those who are "My sheep" are predisposed to respond to Him, due to an already existing, divinely initiated connection. It clarifies who His sheep truly are and sets the stage for His declaration of their eternal security and His unity with the Father in the subsequent verses (10:28-30), which directly address the Jewish leaders' challenge regarding His identity. The polemical undertones are evident, as Jesus distinguishes between His authentic followers and those who reject Him, implicitly criticizing the religious leaders for their failure to lead the people rightly and recognize the true Shepherd.

John 10 27 Word analysis

• My (μου, mou): A possessive pronoun signifying ownership and personal relationship. Jesus claims a distinct bond with these sheep, setting them apart from any other flock. This underscores the special covenantal relationship.
• sheep (πρόβατά, probata): Refers metaphorically to followers. In ancient Near Eastern culture, sheep were utterly dependent on their shepherd for guidance, protection, and provision, symbolizing the complete reliance of believers on Christ.
• hear (ἀκούουσιν, akouousin): Implies not merely perceiving sound, but actively listening, understanding, and discerning with a view to obedience. It suggests spiritual perception, a capacity given by the Spirit to recognize Christ's voice amidst others.
• My voice (τῆς φωνῆς μου, tēs phōnēs mou): Refers to Jesus' teachings, commands, and person. It's His divine authority and truth that His followers discern and embrace. This "voice" is distinctive and identifiable only to those who truly belong to Him.
• and I (κἀγώ, kagō): A conjunction ("and") combined with the emphatic pronoun "I." This highlights Jesus' direct, personal action and initiative, indicating His sovereign engagement in the relationship.
• know (γινώσκω, ginōskō): Transcends mere factual recognition; it signifies an intimate, experiential, and covenantal knowledge, much like the knowing in marriage or deep friendship. It speaks of a chosen, relational bond, not just awareness.
• them (αὐτάς, autas): Referring back to "My sheep." It stresses that Jesus' knowledge is individual and specific to each of His followers.
• and they (καί, kai): A simple conjunction linking the shepherd's knowledge to the sheep's response.
• follow (ἀκολουθοῦσιν, akolouthousin): Denotes obedient, persistent discipleship and adherence to Christ's leading. It is a physical and spiritual journey, walking in the Shepherd's chosen path.
• Me (μοι, moi): An emphatic direct object, stressing that the discipleship is uniquely oriented towards Jesus as the ultimate leader and guide.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• My sheep hear My voice: This phrase establishes the foundational characteristic of Jesus' true followers. Their identity as "My sheep" is divinely appointed and owned, which empowers them to spiritually discern and respond to Jesus' unique divine communication, distinguishing it from the calls of strangers or false teachers.
• and I know them: This segment emphasizes Jesus' intimate, personal, and active knowledge of each individual follower. His "knowing" them is a profound, covenantal relationship of affirmation and protection, demonstrating His intentional and loving engagement with them.
• and they follow Me: This concluding phrase describes the volitional, active response of true disciples. It signifies their obedience, discipleship, and submission to Christ's leadership, which is a natural outflow of their spiritual hearing and being intimately known by the Shepherd.

John 10 27 Bonus section

The concept of God "knowing" individuals in a profound, relational sense is rooted in the Old Testament, where it describes special covenantal relationships (e.g., God's knowledge of Abraham or Israel). It implies an active choosing, caring, and recognizing. The order of the clauses in John 10:27 is significant: the sheep hear the voice, the Shepherd knows them, and then the sheep follow. This might suggest that the hearing and knowing are prerequisites or foundational to the following. Some scholars also emphasize that "My sheep" inherently implies a divine drawing (Jn 6:44) and a spiritual regeneration that enables them to hear. This verse refutes any notion of works-based salvation, as "knowing" and "hearing" are presented as intrinsic qualities of His sheep, made possible by His sovereign grace. The certainty of this relationship sets the stage for the powerful declarations of eternal security in the following verses (10:28-29), reinforcing that this relationship is permanent and unbreakable.

John 10 27 Commentary

John 10:27 profoundly illustrates the deep, interactive relationship between Christ and His chosen people. The verse is tripartite, showing how identity ("My sheep") leads to spiritual perception ("hear My voice"), which is undergirded by divine election and intimacy ("I know them"), culminating in active obedience and commitment ("they follow Me"). It underscores that true spiritual understanding is not merely intellectual but rooted in a prior, intimate relationship initiated and maintained by Jesus. The capacity to "hear My voice" is a gift, an inner spiritual discernment that distinguishes Christ's teaching from all others. This hearing leads directly to "following," signifying active obedience and discipleship. Importantly, Jesus' "knowing" them is a profound, covenantal intimacy, not just mere acquaintance, signifying His constant awareness, care, and affirmation. This sequence – election, hearing, knowing, and following – defines the unbreakable bond between the Good Shepherd and His sheep, affirming their secure identity and eternal commitment to Him. Practically, it encourages believers to cultivate their spiritual listening to Jesus' voice and to actively embody their discipleship in daily obedience, trusting in His intimate knowledge and leading.