John 10:5

THE MESSAGE

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
They will never follow a stranger; instead they will run away from him, because they don’t know the voice of strangers.”

King James Version (1611)
And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him, for they know not the voyce of strangers.

King James Version
And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

English Standard Version
A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers."

New American Standard Bible
"However, a stranger they simply will not follow, but will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers."

New Century Version
But they will never follow a stranger. They will run away from him because they don't know his voice."

Amplified Bible
"They will never follow a stranger, but will run away from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers."

New American Standard Bible (1995)
"A stranger they simply will not follow, but will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers."

Legacy Standard Bible
A stranger they will never follow, but will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers."

Berean Standard Bible
But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will flee from him because they do not recognize his voice."

Contemporary English Version
The sheep will not follow strangers. They don't recognize a stranger's voice, and they run away.

Complete Jewish Bible
They never follow a stranger but will run away from him, because strangers' voices are unfamiliar to them."

Darby Translation
But they will not follow a stranger, but will flee from him, because they know not the voice of strangers.

Easy-to-Read Version
But sheep will never follow someone they don't know. They will run away from him, because they don't know his voice."

Geneva Bible (1587)
And they will not follow a stranger, but they flee from him: for they know not the voyce of strangers.

George Lamsa Translation
The sheep do not follow a stranger, but they run away from him; because they do not know the voice of a stranger.

Good News Translation
They will not follow someone else; instead, they will run away from such a person, because they do not know his voice."

Lexham English Bible
And they will never follow a stranger, but will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers."

Literal Translation
But they will not follow a stranger, never! But they will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of the strangers.

American Standard Version
And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

Bible in Basic English
They will not go after another who is not their keeper, but will go from him in flight, because his voice is strange to them.

Hebrew Names Version
They will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him; for they don't know the voice of strangers."

International Standard Version
They will never follow a stranger, but will run away from him because they do not recognize the voice of strangers."

Etheridge Translation
But after a stranger the flock goeth not, but it fleeth from him; for it knoweth not the voice of a stranger.

Murdock Translation
But after a stranger the flock will not follow, but it fleeth from him; because it knoweth not the voice of a stranger.

Bishop's Bible (1568)
A straunger wyll they not folowe, but wyll flee from hym: for they knowe not the voyce of straungers.

English Revised Version
And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

World English Bible
They will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him; for they don't know the voice of strangers."

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
They will not follow a stranger, but will flee from him; for they know not the voice of strangers.

Weymouth's New Testament
But a stranger they will by no means follow, but will run away from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers."

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
But thei suen not an alien, but fleen from hym; for thei han not knowun the vois of aliens.

Update Bible Version
And a stranger they will not follow, but will flee from him: for they don't know the voice of strangers.

Webster's Bible Translation
And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

New English Translation
They will never follow a stranger, but will run away from him, because they do not recognize the stranger's voice."

New King James Version
Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers."

New Living Translation
They won't follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don't know his voice."

New Life Bible
They will not follow someone they do not know because they do not know his voice. They will run away from him."

New Revised Standard
They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers."

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
But, a stranger, will they in nowise follow, but will flee from him, because they know not the voice, of strangers.

Douay-Rheims Bible
But a stranger they follow not, but fly from him, because they know not the voice of strangers.

Revised Standard Version
A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers."

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
A straunger they will not folowe but will flye from him: for they knowe not the voyce of straungers.

Young's Literal Translation
and a stranger they will not follow, but will flee from him, because they have not known the voice of strangers.'

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
As for a straunger, they folowe him not, but flye from him: for they knowe not the voyce of straungers.

Mace New Testament (1729)
a stranger they will not follow, but flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

Simplified Cowboy Version
They won't follow a stranger. They'll get boogered and run off when someone is walking through 'em on foot. They only recognize a cowboy who sits tall in the saddle and takes care of 'em."

Contextual Overview

¹"Let me set this before you as plainly as I can. If a person climbs over or through the fence of a sheep pen instead of going through the gate, you know he's up to no good—a sheep rustler! The shepherd walks right up to the gate. The gatekeeper opens the gate to him and the sheep recognize his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he gets them all out, he leads them and they follow because they are familiar with his voice. They won't follow a stranger's voice but will scatter because they aren't used to the sound of it." ⁶Jesus told this simple story, but they had no idea what he was talking about. So he tried again. "I'll be explicit, then. I am the Gate for the sheep. All those others are up to no good—sheep stealers, every one of them. But the sheep didn't listen to them. I am the Gate. Anyone who goes through me will be cared for—will freely go in and out, and find pasture. A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of. ¹¹"I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd puts the sheep before himself, sacrifices himself if necessary. A hired man is not a real shepherd. The sheep mean nothing to him. He sees a wolf come and runs for it, leaving the sheep to be ravaged and scattered by the wolf. He's only in it for the money. The sheep don't matter to him. ¹⁴"I am the Good Shepherd. I know my own sheep and my own sheep know me. In the same way, the Father knows me and I know the Father. I put the sheep before myself, sacrificing myself if necessary. You need to know that I have other sheep in addition to those in this pen. I need to gather and bring them, too. They'll also recognize my voice. Then it will be one flock, one Shepherd. This is why the Father loves me: because I freely lay down my life. And so I am free to take it up again. No one takes it from me. I lay it down of my own free will. I have the right to lay it down; I also have the right to take it up again. I received this authority personally from my Father."

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

1 Kings 22:7, Proverbs 19:27, Mark 4:24, Luke 8:18, Ephesians 4:11-15, Colossians 2:6-10, 2 Timothy 3:5-7, 2 Timothy 4:3, 1 Peter 2:1-3, 1 John 2:19, 1 John 2:21, 1 John 4:5, 1 John 4:6, Revelation 2:2

Reciprocal: Song of Solomon 2:8 - voice John 10:8 - but 1 Corinthians 4:16 - General 1 John 2:20 - and ye

Cross-References

Genesis 10:1
This is the family tree of the sons of Noah: Shem, Ham, and Japheth. After the flood, they themselves had sons.

Genesis 10:20
These are the descendants of Ham by family, language, country, and nation.

Isaiah 41:5
"Far-flung ocean islands see it and panic. The ends of the earth are shaken. Fearfully they huddle together. They try to help each other out, making up stories in the dark. The godmakers in the workshops go into overtime production, crafting new models of no-gods, Urging one another on—‘Good job!' ‘Great design!'— pounding in nails at the base so that the things won't tip over.

Isaiah 42:10
Sing to God a brand-new song, sing his praises all over the world! Let the sea and its fish give a round of applause, with all the far-flung islands joining in. Let the desert and its camps raise a tune, calling the Kedar nomads to join in. Let the villagers in Sela round up a choir and perform from the tops of the mountains. Make God 's glory resound; echo his praises from coast to coast. God steps out like he means business. You can see he's primed for action. He shouts, announcing his arrival; he takes charge and his enemies fall into line: "I've been quiet long enough. I've held back, biting my tongue. But now I'm letting loose, letting go, like a woman who's having a baby— Stripping the hills bare, withering the wildflowers, Drying up the rivers, turning lakes into mudflats. But I'll take the hand of those who don't know the way, who can't see where they're going. I'll be a personal guide to them, directing them through unknown country. I'll be right there to show them what roads to take, make sure they don't fall into the ditch. These are the things I'll be doing for them— sticking with them, not leaving them for a minute."

Isaiah 49:1
Listen, far-flung islands, pay attention, faraway people: God put me to work from the day I was born. The moment I entered the world he named me. He gave me speech that would cut and penetrate. He kept his hand on me to protect me. He made me his straight arrow and hid me in his quiver. He said to me, "You're my dear servant, Israel, through whom I'll shine."

Isaiah 59:18
We Long for Light but Sink into Darkness Look! Listen! God 's arm is not amputated—he can still save. God 's ears are not stopped up—he can still hear. There's nothing wrong with God; the wrong is in you. Your wrongheaded lives caused the split between you and God. Your sins got between you so that he doesn't hear. Your hands are drenched in blood, your fingers dripping with guilt, Your lips smeared with lies, your tongue swollen from muttering obscenities. No one speaks up for the right, no one deals fairly. They trust in illusion, they tell lies, they get pregnant with mischief and have sin-babies. They hatch snake eggs and weave spider webs. Eat an egg and die; break an egg and get a snake! The spider webs are no good for shirts or shawls. No one can wear these weavings! They weave wickedness, they hatch violence. They compete in the race to do evil and run to be the first to murder. They plan and plot evil, think and breathe evil, and leave a trail of wrecked lives behind them. They know nothing about peace and less than nothing about justice. They make tortuously twisted roads. No peace for the wretch who walks down those roads! Which means that we're a far cry from fair dealing, and we're not even close to right living. We long for light but sink into darkness, long for brightness but stumble through the night. Like the blind, we inch along a wall, groping eyeless in the dark. We shuffle our way in broad daylight, like the dead, but somehow walking. We're no better off than bears, groaning, and no worse off than doves, moaning. We look for justice—not a sign of it; for salvation—not so much as a hint. Our wrongdoings pile up before you, God, our sins stand up and accuse us. Our wrongdoings stare us down; we know in detail what we've done: Mocking and denying God , not following our God, Spreading false rumors, inciting sedition, pregnant with lies, muttering malice. Justice is beaten back, Righteousness is banished to the sidelines, Truth staggers down the street, Honesty is nowhere to be found, Good is missing in action. Anyone renouncing evil is beaten and robbed. God looked and saw evil looming on the horizon— so much evil and no sign of Justice. He couldn't believe what he saw: not a soul around to correct this awful situation. So he did it himself, took on the work of Salvation, fueled by his own Righteousness. He dressed in Righteousness, put it on like a suit of armor, with Salvation on his head like a helmet, Put on Judgment like an overcoat, and threw a cloak of Passion across his shoulders. He'll make everyone pay for what they've done: fury for his foes, just deserts for his enemies. Even the far-off islands will get paid off in full. In the west they'll fear the name of God , in the east they'll fear the glory of God , For he'll arrive like a river in flood stage, whipped to a torrent by the wind of God . "I'll arrive in Zion as Redeemer, to those in Jacob who leave their sins." God 's Decree. "As for me," God says, "this is my covenant with them: My Spirit that I've placed upon you and the words that I've given you to speak, they're not going to leave your mouths nor the mouths of your children nor the mouths of your grandchildren. You will keep repeating these words and won't ever stop." God 's orders.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

And a stranger will they not follow,.... One that knows not Christ, is not sent by him, and who does not preach him:

but will flee from him; shun him and his ministry, as not only disagreeable, but dangerous:

for they know not the voice of strangers: they do not approve of their doctrine, nor take any delight in it, or receive any profit from it. The Persic version, as before, reads, "neither will the lambs ever go after strange sheep, and if they see [them], they will flee [from them]".

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

A stranger ... - This was literally true of a flock. Accustomed to the voice and presence of a kind shepherd, they would not regard the command of a stranger. It is also true spiritually. Jesus by this indicates that the true people of God will not follow false teachers - those who are proud, haughty, and self-seeking, as were the Pharisees. Many may follow such, but humble and devoted Christians seek those who have the mild and self-denying spirit of their Master and Great Shepherd. It is also true in reference to those who are pastors in the churches. They have an influence which no stranger or wandering minister can have. A church learns to put confidence in a pastor; he knows the wants of his people, sees their danger, and can adapt his instructions to them. A stranger, however eloquent, pious, or learned, can have few of these advantages; and it is more absurd to commit the churches to the care of wandering strangers, of those who have no permanent relation to the church, than it would be for a flock to be committed to a foreigner who knew nothing of it, and who had no particular interest in it.

The pastoral office is one of the wisest institutions of heaven. The following extract from The Land and the Book (Thomson) will show how strikingly this whole passage accords with what actually occurs at this day in Palestine: “This is true to the letter. They are so tame and so trained that they follow their keeper with the utmost docility. He leads them forth from the fold, or from their houses in the villages, just where he pleases. Since there are many flocks in such a place as this, each one takes a different path, and it is his business to find pasture for them. It is necessary, therefore, that they should be taught to follow, and not to stray away into the unfenced fields of grain which lie so temptingly on either side. Anyone that thus wanders is sure to get into trouble. The shepherd calls sharply from time to time to remind them of his presence. They know his voice and follow on; but if a stranger call, they stop short, lift up their heads in alarm, and, if it is repeated, they turn and flee, because they do not know the voice of a stranger.

This is not the fanciful costume of a parable; it is simple fact. I have made the experiment repeatedly. The shepherd goes before, not merely to point out the way, but to see that it is practicable and safe. He is armed in order to defend his charge, and in this he is very courageous. Many adventures with wild beasts occur not unlike that recounted by David, and in these very mountains; for, though there are now no lions here, there are wolves in abundance; and leopards and panthers, exceedingly fierce, prowl about these wild wadies. They not unfrequently attack the flock in the very presence of the shepherd, and he must be ready to do battle at a moment’s warning. I have listened with intense interest to their graphic descriptions of downright and desperate fights with these savage beasts. And when the thief and the robber come (and come they do), the faithful shepherd has often to put his life in his hand to defend his flock. I have known more than one case in which he had literally to lay it down in the contest. A poor faithful fellow last spring, between Tiberias and Tabor, instead of fleeing, actually fought three Bedouin robbers until he was hacked to pieces with their khanjars, and died among the sheep he was defending.”

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse John 10:5. And a stranger will they not follow — That is, a man who, pretending to be a shepherd of the flock of God, is a stranger to that salvation which he professes to preach. His mode of preaching soon proves, to those whose hearts are acquainted with the truths of God, that he is a stranger to them; and therefore, knowing him to have got into the fold in an improper way, they consider him a thief, a robber, and a murderer; and who can blame them if they wholly desert his ministry? There are preachers of this kind among all classes.