Bible Strands
John 10:14
I am the good shepherd. I know My sheep and My sheep know Me,
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Jesus speaks to His listeners immediately after contrasting Himself with the hired servant in John 10:13. He makes this claim while teaching in the temple courts during the Feast of Dedication.
The words — The opening phrase uses Ἐγώ (Egō) and εἰμί (eimi) to state “I myself am,” followed by ποιμήν (poimēn) καλός (kalos), “good shepherd.” The verb γινώσκω (ginōskō) is repeated to record the direct recognition between the shepherd and the sheep.
The thread — The title “good shepherd” appears in John 10:11, where it is immediately paired with laying down His life. The theme of divine recognition of belonging runs through 2 Timothy 2:19 and John 10:27, where Jesus identifies His sheep by their response to His voice.
Why it lands — The text requires a reader to accept that belonging to Christ is defined by direct knowledge and responsive obedience, not by external religious positions. It demands a personal allegiance to the shepherd who voluntarily lays down His life.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
Cross-references
- John 10:27 My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me.
- 2 Timothy 2:19 Nevertheless, God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord must turn away from iniquity.”
- John 10:11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.
- Ephesians 1:17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in your knowledge of Him.
- 1 John 5:20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true—in His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.
- John 17:3 Now this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent.
- Psalms 1:6 For the LORD guards the path of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.
- 2 Timothy 1:12 For this reason, even though I suffer as I do, I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him for that day.
- John 17:8 For I have given them the words You gave Me, and they have received them. They knew with certainty that I came from You, and they believed that You sent Me.
- Ephesians 3:19 of the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.