Jesus As The Good Shepherd
1 "Truly, truly, I tell you, the person who does not enter the sheep corral through the gate, but climbs over another way [i.e., over the fence], is a thief and a robber. [Note: "Thief" suggests quiet subtlety, while "robber" suggests open aggression].
1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
1 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter by the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbs up some other way, he is (A)a thief and a robber.
1 “I assure you: Anyone who doesn’t enter the sheep pen by the door but climbs in some other way, is a thief and a robber.(A)
1 "Truly, I tell all of you emphatically, the person who doesn't enter the sheepfold through the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a bandit.
2 But the One [i.e., Jesus is referring to Himself] who enters [it] through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep [Note: "Sheep" in this section refers to Jesus' followers].
2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
2 The one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.
3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep respond to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out [of the corral].
3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.
3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear (C)his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and (D)leads them out.
3 The doorkeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
3 It's to him the gatekeeper opens the gate, and it's his voice the sheep hear. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
4 After he has let his own [sheep] out, he walks on ahead of them, and they follow him because they recognize his voice.
4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
4 When he puts forth all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know (E)his voice.
4 When he has brought all his own outside, he goes ahead of them. The sheep follow him because they recognize his voice.
4 When he has driven out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they recognize his voice.
5 They will not follow a stranger, but will run from him, for they do not recognize the voice of strangers."
5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.
5 A stranger they simply will not follow, but will flee from him, because they do not know (F)the voice of strangers.”
5 They will never follow a stranger; instead they will run away from him, because they don’t recognize the voice of strangers.”
5 They'll never follow a stranger, but will run away from him because they don't recognize the voice of strangers."
6 Jesus told them this parable [i.e., a brief story to illustrate his teaching] but they did not understand what it meant.
6 This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.
6 This (G)figure of speech Jesus spoke to them, but they did not understand what those things were which He had been saying to them.
6 Jesus used this illustration with them, but they didn't understand what he was saying to them.
Jesus The Good Shepherd
7 So, Jesus said to them again, "Truly, truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep [i.e., to enter the corral].
7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.
7 So again Jesus said, "Truly, I tell all of you emphatically, I'm the gate for the sheep.
9 I am the gate; if anyone enters [the corral] through me, he will be saved [i.e., from condemnation], and will find pasture [i.e., will receive spiritual nurturing].
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.
9 (J)I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.
9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved and will come in and go out and find pasture.
9 I'm the gate. If anyone enters through me, he will be saved. He'll come in and go out and find pasture.
10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came so that people could have life to its fullest.
10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they (K)may have life, and (a)have it abundantly.
10 A thief comes only to steal(G) and to kill and to destroy.(H) I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.
10 The thief comes only to steal, slaughter, and destroy. I've come that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
12 The person who is [only] a hired hand, and not the shepherd, [and] who does not own the sheep [himself], sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away. So, the wolf attacks the flock and scatters [the sheep].
12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.
12 He who is a hired hand, and not a (N)shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them.
12 The hired man, since he is not the shepherd and doesn’t own the sheep, leaves them(b) and runs away when he sees a wolf(K) coming. The wolf then snatches and scatters them.
12 The hired worker, who isn't the shepherd and doesn't own the sheep, sees the wolf coming, deserts the sheep, and runs away. So the wolf snatches them and scatters them,
13 [The reason] he runs away is because he is a hired hand and does not [really] care about the sheep.
13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
13 He flees because he is a hired hand and is not concerned about the sheep.
13 This happens because he is a hired man and doesn’t care about the sheep.
13 because he's a hired worker, and the sheep don't matter to him.
15 just like the Father knows me [intimately] and I know the Father [that way]. And I [am about to] give up my life for the sheep.
15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep.
16 I have other sheep [also] which are not [presently] in this corral; I must lead them, too. They will hear my voice and become one flock [i.e., with the others], having one shepherd. [Note: This probably refers to believing Gentiles becoming God's people, along with the Jews].
16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
16 I have (S)other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice; and they will become (T)one flock with (U)one shepherd.
16 But I have other sheep(N) that are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will listen to My voice. Then there will be one flock, one shepherd.(O)
16 I have other sheep that don't belong to this fold. I must lead these also, and they'll listen to my voice. So there will be one flock and one shepherd.
17 The Father loves me because I [am about to] give up my life, so that I can take it back again.
17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
17 This is why the Father loves Me,(P) because I am laying down My life(Q) so I may take it up again.
17 This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it back again.
18 No one is taking it away from me, but I am giving it up voluntarily. I have the right to give it up and I have the right to take it back again. I received the commandment to do this from my Father."
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.
18 (W)No one has taken it away from Me, but I (X)lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. (Y)This commandment I received from My Father.”
18 No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down on My own. I have the right to lay it down, and I have the right to take it up again. I have received this command from My Father.”(R)
18 No one is taking it from me; I lay it down of my own free will. I have the authority to lay it down, and I have the authority to take it back again. This is what my Father has commanded me."
21 Others said, "These are not the words of someone dominated by an evil spirit. Can an evil spirit restore sight to a blind person?"
21 Others said, These are not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind?
21 Others were saying, “These are not the sayings of one (AC)demon-possessed. (AD)A demon cannot open the eyes of the blind, can he?”
21 Others were saying, “These aren’t the words of someone demon-possessed. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”(U)
21 Others were saying, "These are not the words of a man who is demon-possessed. A demon cannot open the eyes of the blind, can it?"
Jesus At The Feast Of The Dedication
22 During the winter, when the Festival of Dedication was being held in Jerusalem [Note: This was the Jewish festival commemorating the rededication of the Temple in BC after its pagan desecration by Greeks. It is still observed today by Jews as "Hanukkah."],
22 And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.
22 At that time the Feast of the Dedication took place at Jerusalem;
22 Now Hanukkah was taking place in Jerusalem. It was winter,
24 Some Jewish [authorities] gathered around Him and asked, "How long will you hold us in suspense? If you [really] are the Christ, tell us plainly."
24 Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly.
24 (AF)The Jews then gathered around Him, and were saying to Him, “How long (b)will You keep us in suspense? If You are (c)the Christ, tell us (AG)plainly.”
24 Then the Jews surrounded Him and asked, “How long are You going to keep us in suspense?(e) If You are the Messiah,(W) tell us plainly.”(f)(X)
24 So the Jewish leaders surrounded him and quizzed him, "How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you're the Messiah, tell us so plainly."
25 Jesus answered them, "I did tell you, but you would not believe me. The [miraculous] deeds that I am doing in my Father's name [i.e., by the Father's authority] testify about me.
25 Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me.
25 Jesus answered them, “(AH)I told you, and you do not believe; (AI)the works that I do in My Father’s name, these testify of Me.
25 “I did tell you and you don’t believe,” Jesus answered them. “The works(Y) that I do in My Father’s name testify about Me.
25 Jesus answered them, "I have told you, but you don't believe it. The actions that I do in my Father's name testify on my behalf,
28 I give them never ending life and they will never be destroyed, and no one will [be able to] steal them out of my hand.
28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
28 and I give (AM)eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and (AN)no one will snatch them out of My hand.
28 I give them eternal life,(AA) and they will never perish(AB)—ever! No one will snatch(AC) them out of My hand.
28 I give them eternal life, they'll never be lost, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.
29 What my Father has given me [i.e., my sheep] are greater than everything [else], and no one is able to steal them from the Father's hand.
29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.
29 (d)My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.
29 My Father,(AD) who has given them to Me, is greater than all. No one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.
29 What my Father has given me is more important than anything, and no one can snatch it from the Father's hand.
Renewed Efforts To Stone Jesus
32 Jesus said to them, "I have shown you many good deeds [i.e., miracles], performed through the Father. Which one of them are you stoning me for?"
32 Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?
32 Jesus answered them, “I showed you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you stoning Me?”
32 Jesus replied, “I have shown you many good works(AG) from the Father. Which of these works are you stoning Me for?”
32 Jesus replied to them, "I've shown you many good actions from my Father. For which of them are you going to stone me?"
33 The Jews answered Him, "We are not stoning you for a good deed, but for your abusive speech [i.e., about God], and because you are claiming to be God, even though you are [only] a man."
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.
33 The Jews answered Him, “For a good work we do not stone You, but for (AQ)blasphemy; and because You, being a man, (AR)make Yourself out to be God.”
33 “We aren’t stoning(AH) You for a good work,” the Jews answered, “but for blasphemy, because You—being a man—make Yourself God.”
33 The Jewish leaders answered him, "We are not going to stone you for a good action, but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, are making yourself God!"
35 If God called those people, to whom His message came, "gods" (and Scripture cannot be set aside),
35 If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;
35 If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken),
35 If He called those whom the word(AJ) of God came to ‘gods’—and the Scripture(AK) cannot be broken—
35 If he called those to whom a message from God came "gods' (and the Scripture cannot be disregarded),
36 how can you people say to Him, whom the Father set apart and sent into the world, 'You are speaking abusively [i.e., about God],' because I said, 'I am the Son of God'? He is the One whom the Father set apart [i.e., for His service] and sent into the world.
36 Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?
36 do you say of Him, whom the Father (AV)sanctified and (AW)sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘(AX)I am the Son of God’?
36 do you say, ‘You are blaspheming’ to the One the Father set apart and sent into the world, because I said: I am the Son of God?(AL)
36 how can you say to the one whom the Father has consecrated and sent into the world, "You're blaspheming,' because I said, "I'm the Son of God'?
38 But if I am doing them, even though you do not believe me, believe the deeds. Then you will know and continue to know that the Father is in me, and that I am in the Father."
38 But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.
38 but if I do them, though you do not believe Me, believe (AZ)the works, so that you may (f)know and understand that (BA)the Father is in Me, and I in the Father.”
38 But if I am doing them and you don’t believe Me, believe the works. This way you will know and understand(k) that the Father is in Me and I in the Father.”(AN)
38 But if I'm doing them, even though you don't believe me, believe the actions, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father."
Many Beyond The Jordan Believe In Jesus
40 Then Jesus again went across [to the east side of] the Jordan River, to the place where John had first immersed people, and stayed there.
40 And went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized; and there he abode.
40 And He went away (BD)again beyond the Jordan to the place where John was first baptizing, and He was staying there.
40 So He departed again across the Jordan(AQ) to the place where John(AR) had been baptizing earlier, and He remained there.
40 Then he went away again across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing at first, and he remained there.
41 Many people came to Him and were saying, "It is true that John did not perform any [miraculous] signs, but everything he said about this man was true."
41 And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man were true.
41 Many came to Him and were saying, “While John performed no (BE)sign, yet (BF)everything John said about this man was true.”
41 Many came to Him(AS) and said, “John never did a sign, but everything John said about this man was true.”
41 Many people came to him and kept saying, "John never performed a sign, but everything that John said about this man is true!"