John 10:27
What does John 10:27 mean?
A plain-English look at John 10:27 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 10:27 means
Jesus describes His sheep by three marks: they hear His voice, He knows them, and they follow Him. Hearing is discerning and receptive; they recognize His truth. Being known speaks of His prior, loving claim on them. Following is the lived response of trust and obedience. This triad captures Christian life in miniature—revelation, relationship, and response. The comfort is that our following rests on His knowing. The Shepherd’s call is effective; those who are His come and keep coming. Amid many competing voices, His people are gathered and guided by one unmistakable voice, the voice of their Lord.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
KJV
King James Version · 1611My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949My sheep give ear to my voice, and I have knowledge of them, and they come after me:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862according as I said to you: My sheep my voice do hear, and I know them, and they follow me,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752My sheep hear my voice. And I know them: and they follow me.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me;
Context
After stating that His opponents are not of His sheep (verse 26), Jesus defines His sheep in verse 27. This leads smoothly into verse 28’s promise of eternal life and unassailable security, strengthened in verse 29 by the Father’s supremacy. The sequence builds assurance for believers and clarifies why others remain unmoved, preparing for the climactic declaration of oneness with the Father in verse 30.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 16:24
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
- Mark 8:34
And he called unto him the multitude with his disciples, and said unto them, If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
- John 10:16
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.
- Acts 3:23
And it shall be, that every soul that shall not hearken to that prophet, shall be utterly destroyed from among the people.
- Revelation 14:4
These are they that were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they that follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were purchased from among men, to be the firstfruits unto God and unto the Lamb.
- John 5:25
Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour cometh, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God; and they that hear shall live.
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