A term used in the O.T. for Israel as sheep gathered by God as their Shepherd, and called Jehovah's flock. Psalm 77:20; Psalm 107:41; Jeremiah 13:17 . It is also applied to those of Israel that were gathered to Christ when on earth. To these He added the Gentile believers; and all were united into one flock (not 'one fold'), with Christ as the one Shepherd. John 10:16 . When the leaders of Israel were to be judged as not caring for the Lord's flock, the prophet speaks of the remnant as the poor o f the flock. Zechariah 11:7,11 : cf. Luke 6:20 . The Lord also spoke to His disciples as a little flock, bidding them not to fear: it was their Father's good pleasure to give them the kingdom. Luke 12:32 . In Paul's address to the elders of Ephesus he exhorts them to take heed unto all the flock: the wolves would not spare them. Paul commended the shepherds to God and to the word of His grace. Acts 20:28,29 : cf. 1 Peter 5:2,3 .