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Selected Verse: John 10:11 - King James
| Verse |
Translation |
Text |
| Joh 10:11 |
King James |
I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
| A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
I am the good shepherd--emphatically, and, in the sense intended, exclusively so (Isa 40:11; Eze 34:23; Eze 37:24; Zac 13:7).
the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep--Though this may be said of literal shepherds, who, even for their brute flock, have, like David, encountered "the lion and the bear" at the risk of their own lives, and still more of faithful pastors who, like the early bishops of Rome, have been the foremost to brave the fury of their enemies against the flock committed to their care; yet here, beyond doubt, it points to the struggle which was to issue in the willing surrender of the Redeemer's own life, to save His sheep from destruction. |
| Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
The good shepherd - The faithful and true shepherd, willing to do all that is necessary to defend and save the flock.
Giveth his life - A shepherd that regarded his flock would hazard his own life to defend them. When the wolf comes, he would still remain to protect them. To give his life, here, means the same as not to fly, or to forsake his flock; to be willing to expose his life, if necessary, to defend them. Compare Jdg 12:3; "I put my life in my hands and passed over," etc.; Sa1 19:5; Sa1 28:21. See Joh 10:15. The Messiah was often predicted under the character of a shepherd. |
| Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
The good shepherd (ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλὸς)
Literally, the shepherd the good (shepherd). Καλὸς, though not of frequent occurrence in John, is more common than ἀγαθός, good, which occurs but four times and three times out of the four in the neuter gender, a good thing, or that which is good. Καλὸς in John is applied to wine (Joh 2:10), three times to the shepherd in this chapter, and twice to works (Joh 10:32, Joh 10:33). In classical usage, originally as descriptive of outward form, beautiful; of usefulness, as a fair haven, a fair wind. Auspicious, as sacrifices. Morally beautiful, noble; hence virtue is called τὸ καλὸν. The New Testament usage is similar. Outwardly fair, as the stones of the temple (Luk 21:5): well adapted to its purpose, as salt (Mar 9:50): competent for an office, as deacons (Ti1 4:6); a steward (Pe1 4:10); a soldier (Ti2 2:3): expedient, wholesome (Mar 9:43, Mar 9:45, Mar 9:47): morally good, noble, as works (Mat 5:16); conscience (Heb 13:18). The phrase it is good, i.e., a good or proper thing (Rom 14:21). In the Septuagint καλὸς is the most usual word for good as opposed to evil (Gen 2:17; Gen 24:50; Isa 5:20). In Luk 8:15, καλὸς and ἀγαθός are found together as epithets of the heart; honest (or virtuous, noble) and good. The epithet καλὸς, applied here to the shepherd, points to the essential goodness as nobly realized, and appealing to admiring respect and affection. As Canon Westcott observes, "in the fulfillment of His work, the Good Shepherd claims the admiration of all that is generous in man."
Giveth his life (τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ τίθησιν)
The phrase is peculiar to John, occurring in the Gospel and First Epistle. It is explained in two ways: either (1) as laying down as a pledge, paying as a price, according to the classical usage of the word τίθημι. So Demosthenes, to pay interest or the alien tax. Or (2) according to Joh 13:4, as laying aside his life like a garment. The latter seems preferable. Τίθημι, in the sense of to pay down a price, does not occur in the New Testament, unless this phrase, to lay down the life, be so explained. In Joh 13:4, layeth aside His garments (τίδησι τὰ ἱμάτια) is followed, in Joh 13:12, by had taken His garments (ἔλαβε τὰ ἱμάτια). So, in this chapter, giveth (τίδησιν) His life (Joh 10:11), and I lay down (τίδημι) my life (Joh 10:17, Joh 10:18), are followed by λαβεῖν "to take it again." The phrases τὴν ψυχὴν He laid down His life, and τὰς ψυχὰς θεῖναι to lay down our lives, occur in Jo1 3:16. The verb is used in the sense of laying aside in the classics, as to lay aside war, shields, etc. Compare Mat 20:28, δοῦναι τὴν ψυχὴν, to give His life.
For the sheep (ὑπὲρ)
On behalf of. |
| Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
I am the good shepherd - Whose character is the very reverse of that which has already been described. In Joh 10:7, Joh 10:9, our Lord had called himself the door of the sheep, as being the sole way to glory, and entrance into eternal life; here he changes the thought, and calls himself the shepherd, because of what he was to do for them that believe in him, in order to prepare them for eternal glory.
Giveth his life for the sheep - That is, gives up his soul as a sacrifice to save them from eternal death.
Some will have the phrase here only to mean hazarding his life in order to protect others; but the 15th, 17th, and 18th verses, as well as the whole tenor of the new covenant, sufficiently prove that the first sense is that in which our Lord's words should be understood. |
7 Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones.
24 And David my servant shall be king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd: they shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my statutes, and do them.
23 And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd.
11 He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.
15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
21 And the woman came unto Saul, and saw that he was sore troubled, and said unto him, Behold, thine handmaid hath obeyed thy voice, and I have put my life in my hand, and have hearkened unto thy words which thou spakest unto me.
5 For he did put his life in his hand, and slew the Philistine, and the LORD wrought a great salvation for all Israel: thou sawest it, and didst rejoice: wherefore then wilt thou sin against innocent blood, to slay David without a cause?
3 And when I saw that ye delivered me not, I put my life in my hands, and passed over against the children of Ammon, and the LORD delivered them into my hand: wherefore then are ye come up unto me this day, to fight against me?
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.
16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
12 So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?
4 He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.
4 He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.
15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.
20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
50 Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, The thing proceedeth from the LORD: we cannot speak unto thee bad or good.
17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
21 It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.
18 Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
47 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire:
45 And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
43 And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
6 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.
50 Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.
5 And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said,
33 The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.
32 Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?
10 And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.
9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.