Bible Strands
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.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Jesus continues his shepherd discourse to his listeners, describing the moment after he has called his sheep by name and led them out of the fold.
The words — ἐκβάλῃ (ekbalē) means he may bring out, and ἔμπροσθεν (emprosthen) means before, establishing the sequence of his leading action.
The thread — This pattern of divine leadership appears in Deuteronomy 1:30 where the LORD goes before Israel, and resurfaces in John 10:16 and John 12:26 regarding the call to follow his voice.
Why it lands — The text demands immediate recognition of his voice and willing pursuit, while explicitly warning against following strangers who are not recognized.
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
And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
Cross-references
- Deuteronomy 1:30 The LORD your God, who goes before you, will fight for you, just as you saw Him do for you in Egypt
- John 10:16 I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them in as well, and they will listen to My voice. Then there will be one flock and one shepherd.
- John 12:26 If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, My servant will be as well. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.
- John 10:8 All who came before Me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them.
- John 18:37 “Then You are a king!” Pilate said. “You say that I am a king,” Jesus answered. “For this reason I was born and have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to My voice.”
- 1 Corinthians 11:1 You are to imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.
- 1 Peter 2:21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His footsteps:
- Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus told His disciples, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.
- 1 Peter 5:3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.
- Micah 2:12 I will surely gather all of you, O Jacob; I will collect the remnant of Israel. I will bring them together like sheep in a pen, like a flock in the midst of its pasture—a noisy throng.