John 10:15
What does John 10:15 mean?
A plain-English look at John 10:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 10:15 means
The model for Jesus’ knowledge of His people is the mutual knowledge of the Father and the Son—deep, loving, unbroken fellowship. This elevates the shepherd-sheep relationship from mere care to communion grounded in divine life. Flowing from that union, He again affirms, “I lay down my life for the sheep.” The cross is not an afterthought but the expression of Trinitarian love toward the flock. The measure of His care is the measure of His self-giving. The Shepherd secures His people’s life by surrendering His own, revealing that salvation springs from the eternal love shared within the Godhead.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000even as the Father knoweth me, and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.
KJV
King James Version · 1611As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901even as the Father knoweth me, and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Even as the Father has knowledge of me and I of the Father; and I am giving my life for the sheep.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862according as the Father doth know me, and I know the Father, and my life I lay down for the sheep,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752As the Father knoweth me, and I know the Father: and I lay down my life for my sheep.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.
Context
Verse 15 links two themes: the intimacy between Jesus and His own mirrors the intimacy between Father and Son, and that intimacy issues in sacrificial love—laying down His life. This sets the stage for verse 16, where the scope of His shepherding widens to include “other sheep” who will be gathered into one flock. Verses 17–18 will then explain the Father’s pleasure in and authorization of Jesus’ voluntary death and resurrection.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 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.
- Matthew 20:28
even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
- Zechariah 13:7
Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith Jehovah of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered; and I will turn my hand upon the little ones.
- John 10:17
Therefore doth the Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I may take it again.
- Ephesians 5:2
and walk in love, even as Christ also loved you, and gave himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for an odor of a sweet smell.
- John 15:13
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
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