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Artwork for John Explained: A Bible Study
John Explained: A Bible Study · Apr 9, 2025 · 30 min

The Good Shepherd

What makes Jesus the Good Shepherd? In John 10:1-21, Jesus calls Himself "the good shepherd" who lays down His life for the sheep — spoken, surprisingly, in the middle of conflict. Dr. Toby Holt unpacks this beloved picture of Christ. Jesus speaks not in a peaceful pasture but to hostile leaders who had thrown out a man He healed. Against their failure, He is the true Shepherd who feeds and protects His flock and willingly dies for the sheep. He also speaks of "other sheep" — the Gentiles He would gather. Questions this study answers: 1. What does a shepherd do? A shepherd both feeds and protects the flock. Jesus does both perfectly, unlike the failed leaders of Israel. 2. Who are the "other sheep" not of this fold? The Gentiles — people of every nation whom Jesus would also gather into one flock under one Shepherd. 3. What does it mean to be Jesus' sheep? It means knowing His voice and following Him, and being kept safe by a Shepherd who laid down His life for you. "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep." — John 10:11 (NKJV) Dr. Toby Holt is President of New Geneva Theological Seminary, and his sermons have been downloaded more than 1.9 million times on SermonAudio. Find more verse-by-verse Bible teaching at newgeneva.org; support this ministry at newgeneva.org/give.

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What makes Jesus the Good Shepherd? In John 10:1-21, Jesus calls Himself "the good shepherd" who lays down His life for the sheep — spoken, surprisingly, in the middle of conflict. Dr. Toby Holt unpacks this beloved picture of Christ. Jesus speaks not in a peaceful pasture but to hostile leaders who had thrown out a man He healed. Against their failure, He is the true Shepherd who feeds and protects His flock and willingly dies for the sheep. He also speaks of "other sheep" — the Gentiles He would gather.

Questions this study answers:

1. What does a shepherd do? A shepherd both feeds and protects the flock. Jesus does both perfectly, unlike the failed leaders of Israel.

2. Who are the "other sheep" not of this fold? The Gentiles — people of every nation whom Jesus would also gather into one flock under one Shepherd.

3. What does it mean to be Jesus' sheep? It means knowing His voice and following Him, and being kept safe by a Shepherd who laid down His life for you.

"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep." — John 10:11 (NKJV)

Dr. Toby Holt is President of New Geneva Theological Seminary, and his sermons have been downloaded more than 1.9 million times on SermonAudio. Find more verse-by-verse Bible teaching at newgeneva.org; support this ministry at newgeneva.org/give.

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