Devine Scripture

John 10:14

What does John 10:14 mean?

A plain-English look at John 10:14 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 10:14 means

Jesus repeats, “I am the good shepherd,” and deepens the relationship: “I know mine own, and mine own know me.” His knowledge is personal and comprehensive; He understands each sheep’s needs and wounds. Likewise, His people recognize Him—not merely facts about Him, but His voice and character. This mutual knowing is the heart of salvation. It is covenant intimacy, not impersonal management. Following flows from being known and knowing. This verse comforts believers with the assurance that their Shepherd’s care is not generic but particular; He is never distant, and His flock is never faceless before Him.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

I am the good keeper; I have knowledge of my sheep, and they have knowledge of me,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`I am the good shepherd, and I know my <FI>sheep<Fi> , and am known by mine,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

I am the good shepherd: and I know mine, and mine know me.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

I am the good shepherd; and I know those that are mine, and am known of those that are mine,

Context

After exposing hirelings’ lack of care (verses 12–13), Jesus returns to His identity and the bond with His sheep. Verse 14 stresses mutual recognition, preparing verse 15’s comparison to the knowledge shared between Father and Son and the repeated intent to lay down His life. Together, these verses connect relational intimacy with sacrificial mission, leading naturally to verse 16’s announcement that He has other sheep to gather into one flock under one shepherd.

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

v.14This passage

v.15even as the Father knoweth me, and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.

Cross references

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

  • 1 John 5:20

    And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

  • Ephesians 1:17

    that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him;

  • 2 Corinthians 4:6

    Seeing it is God, that said, Light shall shine out of darkness, who shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

  • Revelation 2:9

    I know thy tribulation, and thy poverty (but thou art rich), and the blasphemy of them that say they are Jews, and they are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.

  • Revelation 2:2

    I know thy works, and thy toil and patience, and that thou canst not bear evil men, and didst try them that call themselves apostles, and they are not, and didst find them false;

  • Revelation 2:13

    I know where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s throne is; and thou holdest fast my name, and didst not deny my faith, even in the days of Antipas my witness, my faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwelleth.

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