A little time with Scripture.
SCRIPTURE READER

John 10:11-18

World English Bible · Public domain

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John 10:11-18

11“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

12He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who doesn’t own the sheep, sees the wolf coming, leaves the sheep, and flees. The wolf snatches the sheep and scatters them.

13The hired hand flees because he is a hired hand and doesn’t care for the sheep.

14I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and I’m known by my own;

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

16I have other sheep which are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will hear my voice. They will become one flock with one shepherd.

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

18No one takes it away from me, but I lay it down by myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. I received this commandment from my Father.”

World English Bible (WEB). Public-domain translation. Publisher: eBible.org. Local WEB chapter text; additional external requests use bible-api.com.

A few questions for reading in context
  • Who is speaking, and to whom?
  • What is happening before and after this passage?
  • What kind of writing is this—poetry, narrative, letter, or another form?
  • What does the passage say before I consider how to apply it?