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Read the Bible

The NET Bible®

John 10:11

"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Church;   Jesus, the Christ;   Jesus Continued;   Minister, Christian;   Sheep;   Shepherd;   Suffering;   Scofield Reference Index - Assurance-Security;   Life;   Sanctification;   Thompson Chain Reference - Christ;   Church;   Death;   Names;   Saviour, Christ Our;   Shepherd, Christ;   Similitudes;   Sin-Saviour;   Sufferings of Christ;   Titles and Names;   The Topic Concordance - Jesus Christ;   Love;   Sacrifice;   Shepherds/pastors;   Unity;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Atonement, the;   Christ, the Shepherd;   Excellency and Glory of Christ, the;   Sheep;   Titles and Names of Saints;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Life;   Shepherd;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Elder;   Jesus christ;   Pastor;   Sheep;   Shepherd;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Christ, Christology;   Flock;   God;   Lamb, Lamb of God;   Micah, Theology of;   Person, Personhood;   Charles Buck Theological Dictionary - Calvinists;   Soul;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Parable;   Sheep;   Shepherd;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - John, the Gospel According to;   Joseph;   Parable;   Sheep;   Shepherd;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Anthropology;   Flock;   Incarnation;   Jesus Christ;   Names of God;   Pastor;   Redeem, Redemption, Redeemer;   Rhetoric;   Shepherd;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Atonement;   Love, Lover, Lovely, Beloved;   Soul;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Agriculture;   Allegory;   Atonement (2);   Bishop, Elder, Presbyter;   Character;   Communion (2);   Complacency;   Deliverance ;   Discourse;   Doctrines;   Foresight;   Gospel (2);   Ideas (Leading);   Lord's Supper (Ii);   Manuscripts;   Metaphors;   Ministry;   Mission;   Names and Titles of Christ;   Obedience (2);   Parable;   Pastor;   Philanthropy;   Prophet;   Propitiation (2);   Redemption;   Redemption (2);   Rufus;   Sacrifice;   Sacrifice (2);   Sanctify, Sanctification;   Sheep, Shepherd;   Shepherd;   Soul;   Spirit ;   Universalism (2);   Vicarious Sacrifice;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Shepherd;   23 Life Living;   1910 New Catholic Dictionary - names of our lord;   The Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary - Flock;   Pastor;   Shepherd;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Church;   Names titles and offices of christ;   Pastors;   Sheep;   Shepherd;   Smith Bible Dictionary - Sheep;   Wilson's Dictionary of Bible Types - Christ;   Church;  

Encyclopedias:

- Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia - Jesus of Nazareth;   International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - For;   Give;   Good;   Jesus Christ (Part 2 of 2);   Life;   Lord's Supper (Eucharist);   Number;   Psychology;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Didascalia;  

Devotionals:

- Daily Light on the Daily Path - Devotion for December 23;   Every Day Light - Devotion for October 29;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
“I am the good shepherd.
King James Version (1611)
I am the good shepheard: the good shepheard giueth his life for the sheepe.
King James Version
I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
English Standard Version
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
New American Standard Bible
"I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.
New Century Version
"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives his life for the sheep.
Amplified Bible
"I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His [own] life for the sheep.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
"I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.
Legacy Standard Bible
"I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.
Berean Standard Bible
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.
Contemporary English Version
I am the good shepherd, and the good shepherd gives up his life for his sheep.
Complete Jewish Bible
"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
Darby Translation
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep:
Easy-to-Read Version
"I am the good shepherd, and the good shepherd gives his life for the sheep.
Geneva Bible (1587)
I am that good shepheard: that good shepheard giueth his life for his sheepe.
George Lamsa Translation
I am the good shepherd; a good shepherd risks his life for the sake of his sheep.
Good News Translation
"I am the good shepherd, who is willing to die for the sheep.
Lexham English Bible
"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
Literal Translation
I am the Good Shepherd! The Good Shepherd lays down His life on behalf of the sheep.
American Standard Version
I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd layeth down his life for the sheep.
Bible in Basic English
I am the good keeper of sheep: the good keeper gives his life for the sheep.
Hebrew Names Version
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
International Standard Version
"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays downgives">[fn] his life for the sheep.Isaiah 40:11; Ezekiel 34:12,23; 37:24; Hebrews 13:20; 1 Peter 2:25; 5:4;">[xr]
Etheridge Translation
I am the good shepherd, and the good shepherd his life layeth down for his flock.
Murdock Translation
I am a good shepherd. A good shepherd exposeth his life for the sheep.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
I am the good sheephearde. A good sheephearde, geueth his lyfe for the sheepe.
English Revised Version
I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd layeth down his life for the sheep.
World English Bible
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd layeth down his life for the sheep.
Weymouth's New Testament
"I am the Good Shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his very life for the sheep.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
I am a good scheepherde; a good scheepherde yyueth his lijf for hise scheep.
Update Bible Version
I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
Webster's Bible Translation
I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
New King James Version
"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.
New Living Translation
"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep.
New Life Bible
"I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd gives His life for the sheep.
New Revised Standard
"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
I, am the good shepherd: The good shepherd, his life, layeth down, for the sheep.
Douay-Rheims Bible
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd giveth his life for his sheep.
Revised Standard Version
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
I am ye good shepeheerd. The good shepeheerd geveth his lyfe for ye shepe.
Young's Literal Translation
`I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd his life layeth down for the sheep;
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
I am a good shepherde. A good shepherde geueth his life for the shepe.
Mace New Testament (1729)
I am the true pastor: the true pastor exposes his life for the sheep.
THE MESSAGE
"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.
Simplified Cowboy Version
"I am the good cowboy. The good cowboy will die for his cattle.

Contextual Overview

1 "I tell you the solemn truth, the one who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs in some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The one who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The doorkeeper opens the door for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought all his own sheep out, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they recognize his voice. 5 They will never follow a stranger, but will run away from him, because they do not recognize the stranger's voice." 6 Jesus told them this parable, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. 7 So Jesus said again, "I tell you the solemn truth, I am the door for the sheep. 8 All who came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters through me, he will be saved, and will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come so that they may have life, and may have it abundantly.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

the good: John 10:14, Psalms 23:1, Psalms 80:1, Isaiah 40:11, Ezekiel 34:12, Ezekiel 34:23, Ezekiel 37:24, Micah 5:4, Zechariah 13:7, Hebrews 13:20, 1 Peter 2:25, 1 Peter 5:4

giveth: Genesis 31:39, Genesis 31:40, 1 Samuel 17:34, 1 Samuel 17:35, 2 Samuel 24:17, Isaiah 53:6, Ephesians 5:2, Titus 2:14, 1 Peter 2:24

Reciprocal: Genesis 33:3 - passed Numbers 11:12 - Carry them Numbers 27:16 - set a man 2 Samuel 5:2 - feed 1 Chronicles 21:17 - let thine Psalms 78:52 - like a Song of Solomon 1:7 - thou feedest Ezekiel 34:31 - ye my Matthew 18:12 - if Matthew 27:50 - yielded John 8:18 - one John 10:2 - the shepherd John 10:15 - and I John 10:16 - one shepherd John 15:13 - General John 19:30 - and he John 21:16 - my sheep 2 Corinthians 12:15 - will Galatians 1:4 - gave Galatians 2:20 - who 1 Thessalonians 5:10 - died Revelation 7:17 - feed

Cross-References

Genesis 10:1
This is the account of Noah's sons Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Sons were born to them after the flood.
Genesis 10:10
The primary regions of his kingdom were Babel, Erech, Akkad, and Calneh in the land of Shinar.
Numbers 24:22
Nevertheless the Kenite will be consumed. How long will Asshur take you away captive?"
Numbers 24:24
Ships will come from the coast of Kittim, and will afflict Asshur, and will afflict Eber, and he will also perish forever."
2 Kings 19:36
So King Sennacherib of Assyria broke camp and went on his way. He went home and stayed in Nineveh.
Ezra 4:2
they came to Zerubbabel and the leaders and said to them, "Let us help you build, for like you we seek your God and we have been sacrificing to him from the time of King Esarhaddon of Assyria, who brought us here."
Psalms 83:8
Even Assyria has allied with them, lending its strength to the descendants of Lot. (Selah)
Isaiah 37:37
So King Sennacherib of Assyria broke camp and went on his way. He went home and stayed in Nineveh.
Ezekiel 27:23
Haran, Kanneh, Eden, merchants from Sheba, Asshur, and Kilmad were your clients.
Ezekiel 32:22
"Assyria is there with all her assembly around her grave, all of them struck down by the sword.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

I am the good shepherd,.... A shepherd of his Father's appointing, calling, and sending, to whom the care of all his sheep, or chosen ones, was committed; who was set up as a shepherd over them by him, and was entrusted with them; and who being called, undertook to feed them; and being promised, was sent unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel; and under the character of a shepherd, died for them, and rose again, and is accountable to his Father for everyone of them; the shepherd, the great and chief shepherd, the famous one, so often spoken and prophesied of, Genesis 49:24. And discharging his office aright, he is the good shepherd; as appears in his providing good pasture, and a good fold for his sheep; in protecting them from their enemies; in healing all their diseases; in restoring their souls when strayed from him; in watching over them in the night seasons, lest any hurt them; in searching for them, when they have been driven, or scattered in the dark and cloudy day; in caring for them, so that he lose none of them; and in nothing more than in what follows,

the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep: not only exposes it to danger, as David did his, for the sake of his father's flock, but gives it away freely and voluntarily, for the sake of the sheep; in their room and stead, as a ransom for them, that they may be delivered from death, and might have eternal life: the Ethiopic version renders it, "the good shepherd gives his life for the redemption of his sheep"; so Nonnus paraphrases it, the "ransom price of his own sheep": this belongs to Christ's priestly office, and with the Jews priests were sometimes shepherds hence we read q of רועים כהנים, "shepherds that were priests". Philo the Jew speaks r of God as a shepherd and king; and of his setting his word, his firstborn Son, over the holy flock, to take care of it: and a good shepherd is thus described by the s Jews;

"as רועה טוב, "a good shepherd", delivers the flock from the wolf, and from the lions, (see John 10:12) so he that leads Israel, if he is good, delivers them from the idolatrous nations, and from judgment below and above, and leads them to the life of the world to come, or eternal life; (see John 10:10).''

Which description agrees with Christ, the good shepherd; and so the Lord is said to be רועה טוב, "the good shepherd", and merciful, and there is none like him t.

q Misn. Becorot, c. 5. sect. 4. r De Agricultura, p. 195. & de nom. mutat. p. 1062. s Zohar in Exod. fol. 9. 3. t Aben Ezra in Psal. xxiii. 3. & Kimchi in Psal. xxiii. 2.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

The good shepherd - The faithful and true shepherd, willing to do all that is necessary to defend and save the flock.

Giveth his life - A shepherd that regarded his flock would hazard his own life to defend them. When the wolf comes, he would still remain to protect them. To give his life, here, means the same as not to fly, or to forsake his flock; to be willing to expose his life, if necessary, to defend them. Compare Judges 12:3; “I put my life in my hands and passed over,” etc.; 1 Samuel 19:5; 1 Samuel 28:21. See John 10:15. The Messiah was often predicted under the character of a shepherd.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse John 10:11. I am the good shepherd — Whose character is the very reverse of that which has already been described. In John 10:7; John 10:9, our Lord had called himself the door of the sheep, as being the sole way to glory, and entrance into eternal life; here he changes the thought, and calls himself the shepherd, because of what he was to do for them that believe in him, in order to prepare them for eternal glory.

Giveth his life for the sheep. — That is, gives up his soul as a sacrifice to save them from eternal death.

Some will have the phrase here only to mean hazarding his life in order to protect others; but the 15th, 17th, and 18th verses, John 10:15; John 10:17; John 10:18, as well as the whole tenor of the new covenant, sufficiently prove that the first sense is that in which our Lord's words should be understood.


 
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