Bible Strands
John 10:26
But because you are not My sheep, you refuse to believe.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses a hostile group in Jerusalem who previously rejected his testimony despite his visible works (John 10:25). He explains their current rejection while contrasting them with his true followers (John 10:27).
The words — The phrase οὐκ ἐστὲ ἐκ (ouk este ek) literally means "you are not from among," locating the cause of their rejection outside themselves. The verb πιστεύετε (pisteuete) uses the present tense to describe an ongoing refusal to trust rather than a single past decision.
The thread — This link between spiritual origin and unbelief runs through John 8:47, where failing to hear God's words marks those who do not belong to God. The necessity of divine grant for belief appears in John 6:65, while 2 Corinthians 4:3 states the gospel is veiled to those who are perishing.
Why it lands — The text explicitly states that unbelief results from not being part of the shepherd's flock. It requires the reader to acknowledge that trust in Christ is determined by spiritual belonging rather than mere exposure to evidence.
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
But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.
Cross-references
- John 8:47 Whoever belongs to God hears the words of God. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.”
- 2 Corinthians 4:3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.
- John 6:65 Then Jesus said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to Me unless the Father has granted it to him.”
- John 10:27 My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me.
- John 12:37 Although Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still did not believe in Him.
- Romans 11:7 What then? What Israel was seeking, it failed to obtain, but the elect did. The others were hardened,
- John 6:37 Everyone the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will never drive away.
- John 6:44 “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day.
- John 10:4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.
- 1 John 4:6 We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. That is how we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of deception.