Devine Scripture

John 10:16

What does John 10:16 mean?

A plain-English look at John 10:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 10:16 means

“Other sheep … not of this fold” points beyond the Jewish flock to Gentiles who will be brought in. Jesus insists, “Them also I must bring,” revealing a divine necessity in His mission. The result is unity: “one flock, one shepherd.” He does not promise multiple pens but a single people gathered by His voice. This anticipates the church’s worldwide breadth and the breaking down of barriers in Him. His authority and attractiveness extend across peoples; His voice will be heard, and the scattered will become one. The Shepherd’s reach is as wide as His love, and His call effectively gathers.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and they shall become one flock, one shepherd.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and they shall become one flock, one shepherd.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And I have other sheep which are not of this field: I will be their guide in the same way, and they will give ear to my voice, so there will be one flock and one keeper.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and other sheep I have that are not of this fold, these also it behoveth me to bring, and my voice they will hear, and there shall become one flock--one shepherd.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And other sheep I have that are not of this fold: them also I must bring. And they shall hear my voice: And there shall be one fold and one shepherd.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And I have other sheep which are not of this fold: those also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one flock, one shepherd.

Context

After grounding His shepherding in Trinitarian fellowship and sacrificial intent (verse 15), Jesus widens the horizon to include “other sheep” who will hear His voice and join one flock. This anticipates the Gentile mission. Verses 17–18 will explain the divine endorsement and authority behind this mission: the Father’s love for the Son who lays down His life and takes it again, and the Son’s sovereign power to do so, ensuring the gathering will succeed.

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

v.16This passage

v.17Therefore doth the Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I may take it again.

Cross references

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

  • 1 Peter 2:10

    who in time past were no people, but now are the people of God: who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

  • Isaiah 49:6

    yea, he saith, It is too light a thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.

  • Romans 8:29

    For whom he foreknew, he also foreordained to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren:

  • 1 Peter 2:25

    For ye were going astray like sheep; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

  • 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,

  • 2 Thessalonians 2:13

    But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, for that God chose you from the beginning unto salvation in sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:

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