John 10:14

14 `I am the good shepherd, and I know my [sheep], and am known by mine,

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 and the hireling, and not being a shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, doth behold the wolf coming, and doth leave the sheep, and doth flee; and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep;

13 and the hireling doth flee because he is an hireling, and is not caring for the sheep.

14 `I am the good shepherd, and I know my [sheep], and am known by mine,

15 according as the Father doth know me, and I know the Father, and my life I lay down for the sheep,

16 and other sheep I have that are not of this fold, these also it behoveth me to bring, and my voice they will hear, and there shall become one flock -- one shepherd.