Devine Scripture

John 10:12

What does John 10:12 mean?

A plain-English look at John 10:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 10:12 means

A hireling treats the flock as a job, not a trust. When a wolf appears, self-preservation rules; he runs, and the sheep are seized and scattered. The problem is not merely fear but a lack of ownership and love—“whose own the sheep are not.” Jesus exposes leaders who enjoy benefits without bearing burdens. By contrast, He will not flee the wolf of sin, death, and judgment. The verse warns that mercenary care cannot withstand crisis. Only a shepherd invested with his heart and life will stand in the breach to protect and gather the flock.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

He 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:

KJV

King James Version · 1611

But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

He 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:

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

He who is a servant, and not the keeper or the owner of the sheep, sees the wolf coming and goes in flight, away from the sheep; and the wolf comes down on them and sends them in all directions:

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

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;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But the hireling and he that is not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming and leaveth the sheep and flieth: and the wolf casteth and scattereth the sheep,

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

but he who serves for wages, and who is not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf seizes them and scatters the sheep.

Context

Directly after claiming to be the Good Shepherd who lays down His life (verse 11), Jesus paints the opposite: the hireling who deserts the flock at the first sign of danger. Verse 12 shows the consequence—predation and scattering. Verse 13 will name the inner cause—lack of true concern. This contrast clarifies why Jesus must die and why the religious leaders fail; it also prepares the return to intimate knowledge and sacrificial purpose in verses 14–15.

v.11I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd layeth down his life for the sheep.

v.12This passage

v.13he fleeth because he is a hireling, and careth not for the sheep.

Cross references

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

  • 1 Peter 5:2

    Tend the flock of God which is among you, exercising the oversight, not of constraint, but willingly, according to the will of God; nor yet for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

  • 2 Timothy 4:10

    for Demas forsook me, having loved this present world, and went to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.

  • 1 Timothy 3:3

    no brawler, no striker; but gentle, not contentious, no lover of money;

  • Matthew 7:15

    Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves.

  • Acts 20:29

    I know that after my departing grievous wolves shall enter in among you, not sparing the flock;

  • 1 Timothy 3:8

    Deacons in like manner must be grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;

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