Devine Scripture

John 10:11

What does John 10:11 mean?

A plain-English look at John 10:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 10:11 means

“I am the good shepherd” is a royal, messianic claim. The goodness Jesus names is not mere kindness; it is covenant faithfulness that goes as far as death. He lays down His life for the sheep—voluntary, substitutionary sacrifice. Here He hints at the cross, where He will die to save His people. He does not risk His life; He gives it. This stands in stark contrast to leaders who preserve themselves at the flock’s expense. In Jesus, Psalm-like comfort meets divine resolve: the Shepherd does not simply guide through danger; He steps into danger and bears it away for His own.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd layeth down his life for the sheep.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd layeth down his life for the sheep.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

I am the good keeper of sheep: the good keeper gives his life for the sheep.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd his life layeth down for the sheep;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd giveth his life for his sheep.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep:

Context

Moving from the “door” image to shepherding, verse 11 unveils how abundant life is secured—through the Shepherd’s self-giving death. Verses 12–13 will contrast Jesus with hirelings who abandon the sheep when danger comes. Verses 14–15 then return to mutual knowledge between shepherd and sheep and again mention laying down His life, linking intimacy with atonement and setting up the worldwide scope of His mission in verse 16.

v.10The thief cometh not, but that he may steal, and kill, and destroy: I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly.

v.11This passage

v.12He that is a hireling, and not a shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, beholdeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth, and the wolf snatcheth them, and scattereth them:

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 1 Peter 2:24

    who his own self bare our sins in his body upon the tree, that we, having died unto sins, might live unto righteousness; by whose stripes ye were healed.

  • Revelation 7:17

    for the Lamb that is in the midst of the throne shall be their shepherd, and shall guide them unto fountains of waters of life: and God shall wipe away every tear from their eyes.

  • Isaiah 53:6

    All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and Jehovah hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

  • Titus 2:14

    who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a people for his own possession, zealous of good works.

  • John 10:14

    I am the good shepherd; and I know mine own, and mine own know me,

  • Hebrews 13:20

    Now the God of peace, who brought again from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep with the blood of an eternal covenant, even our Lord Jesus,

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