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The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
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“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—
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just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.
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I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.
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The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again.
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No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”
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The Jews who heard these words were again divided.
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Many of them said, “He is demon-possessed and raving mad. Why listen to him?”
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But others said, “These are not the sayings of a man possessed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”
Further Conflict Over Jesus’ Claims
22 Then came the Festival of Dedication[a] at Jerusalem. It was winter,
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and Jesus was in the temple courts walking in Solomon’s Colonnade.