John 10:11-18
Chapter 10
The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, abandons the sheep, sees the wolf coming, leaves the sheep, and runs away; then the wolf snatches and scatters the sheep.
This is because he works for pay and cares nothing for the sheep.
I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and my own know me,
as the Father knows me and I know the Father. Because of this, I give my life for my sheep.
I have other sheep, which are not of this fold. These I must lead as well, and they shall listen to my voice. Then there will be one flock, one shepherd.
The Father loves me because I lay down my life to take it up again.
No one takes it from me, but I lay it down freely. It is mine to lay down and to take up again: this mission I received from my Father.”
Commentaries
Jesus, the Good Shepherd.
Jesus presents Himself as the true Shepherd of His people. He leads His sheep out of the enclosure of Judaism to form a new flock or messianic community. He is the gate that grants access to salvation; the Good Shepherd who offers life in abundance. A relationship of mutual knowledge and communion develops between Jesus and the sheep. The Good Shepherd gives His life for His sheep (this phrase appears five times). The death of Jesus Christ fulfills the Father’s will and command, demonstrating His charity, but His death points toward the resurrection. These two events make up the work of salvation.