John 10:14

14 "I am the Good Shepherd. I know my own sheep and my own sheep know me.

John 10:14 Meaning and Commentary

John 10:14

I am the good shepherd (See Gill on John 10:11).

And know my [sheep];
so as to call them all by their names: Christ has an universal, special, distinct, and exact knowledge of all his sheep, as they are the choice of his Father, as his Father's gift to him; and as his own purchase; he bears an affectionate love to them, and takes special care of them; indulges them with intimate communion with himself; and owns and acknowledges them as his, both here and hereafter:

and I am known of mine;
not in a general way, as devils and external professors may know him, but with a special, spiritual, and saving knowledge: Christ's own approve of him, as their shepherd and their Saviour, and desire no other; they love him above all, in the sincerity of their souls, and with a love as strong as death; they trust in him as their shepherd, believing they shall not want; and appropriate him to themselves, as their own; and care for him, his cause and interest, his Gospel, ordinances, and ministers; and are not ashamed to own him as theirs, in the most public manner.

John 10:14 In-Context

12 A hired man is not a real shepherd. The sheep mean nothing to him. He sees a wolf come and runs for it, leaving the sheep to be ravaged and scattered by the wolf.

13 He's only in it for the money. The sheep don't matter to him.

14 "I am the Good Shepherd. I know my own sheep and my own sheep know me.

15 In the same way, the Father knows me and I know the Father. I put the sheep before myself, sacrificing myself if necessary.

16 You need to know that I have other sheep in addition to those in this pen. I need to gather and bring them, too. They'll also recognize my voice. Then it will be one flock, one Shepherd.