Paragraph 10:11–16

Jesus changed the metaphor in this paragraph. In this new metaphor, the shepherd represents Jesus, the sheep again represent believers, and the hired hand represents bad Jewish leaders. The contrast here is that Jesus cares well for the sheep while the bad leaders only think about themselves.

10:11a

Jesus continued speaking to the people. Because this is the beginning of a new paragraph, it may be good to indicate this here. For example:

⌊Jesus said/continued⌋ ….

I am the good shepherd: In this metaphor, Jesus compared himself to someone who takes good care of sheep. Here are some ways that Jesus is like a good shepherd:

• They both have responsibility for caring for others.

• They both take good care of the ones that they are responsible for. They keep them safe and provide for their needs.

• They both lead and guide the ones that they are responsible for.

It is important to keep this figure of speech, as it is used many times in the Bible. See, for example, Psalm 23. However in some languages a literal translation of this metaphor may be difficult to understand. It may be necessary to explain it in some way. For example:

• Change the metaphor to a simile. For example:

I am like a good shepherd

• Make the point of comparison explicit. For example:

I ⌊take care of my followers⌋ as a good shepherd ⌊takes care of his sheep⌋

• Make explicit that Jesus is the good shepherd of people. For example:

I am ⌊your⌋ good shepherd.
-or-
I am the good shepherd ⌊of my people⌋ .

the: The definite article the indicates that Jesus is the only good shepherd in the sense that is meant here. He is the only one who saves us. Only he dies for us to save us. He is not just one among many.

good: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as good means “fine, excellent.” In this context it indicates that the shepherd is faithful and works hard. He devotes himself to the welfare of the sheep.

shepherd: The word shepherd refers to someone who takes care of sheep and protects them from harm. As in 10:2, avoid using a word referring to a paid employee. The shepherd in this context is the owner of the sheep.

10:11b

The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep: The phrase The good shepherd continues to refer to Jesus. He was willing to die for his sheep, because he loved them. In some languages it may be natural to combine this sentence with the previous one and not repeat The good shepherd. For example:

who is willing to die for the sheep (Good News Translation)

lays down His life: This phrase indicates that the good shepherd was willing to die. As the good shepherd, Jesus allowed wicked men to kill him so that he could save the sheep, his people. For example:

gives his life (God’s Word)
-or-
sacrifices his life (New Living Translation (2004))

In some languages a life is not something that one can “lay down” or give. It may instead be possible to say:

dies willingly
-or-
allows others to kill him
-or-
is willing to be killed

for the sheep: The word for means “for the benefit of.” Jesus, the good shepherd, laid down his life for the benefit of his sheep, his people. He died to save them, so that they could live.

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