Thematic Bible


Thematic Bible












For you people were wandering away like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. Verse ConceptsGuidance, Need For God'sOverseersGod our ShepherdSheepWatchfulness, DivineLost SheepAlienation, OvercomingWanderersPeople Going AstrayAnimals Going Astray



But [rather] go to the lost sheep of the people of Israel. Verse ConceptsSheep, FigurativeMore ThanIsrael HardenedLost People



What do you think? If anyone had a hundred sheep, and one of them wandered away, would he not leave the ninety-nine [safe ones] and go to the mountains looking for the one that wandered away? Verse ConceptsHillsSheepShepherds, As OccupationsWatchfulness, DivineLost SheepThe Number NinetyOne HundredThinking ArightGod Searching For PeopleAbandoning ThingsNinetiesMissing SomeoneBeing LostLosing Someone


Then Jesus said to His disciples, "All of you will have doubts about me, for it is written [Zech. 13:7], 'I will strike down the shepherd and the sheep will be scattered everywhere.' Verse ConceptsSheep, FigurativeUnfaithfulness, To PeopleInadequate ShepherdingThe Smiting Of JesusScattered Like SheepChrist Would Be KilledJesus Foretelling His Resurrection

Then Jesus said [to His disciples], "All of you will have doubts about me tonight, for it is written [Zech. 13:7], 'I will strike down the shepherd and the sheep of the flock will be scattered everywhere.' Verse ConceptsSheepUnfaithfulness, To PeopleInadequate ShepherdingProphecies Concerning ChristThe Smiting Of JesusScattered Like SheepGod Beating PeoplePeople StumblingDuring One NightChrist Would Be KilledHurt And Betrayal

"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]. 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]. 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]. read more.
After he has let his own [sheep] out, he walks on ahead of them, and they follow him because they recognize his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but will run from him, for they do not recognize the voice of strangers." Jesus told them this parable [i.e., a brief story to illustrate his teaching] but they did not understand what it meant. So, Jesus said to them again, "Truly, truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep [i.e., to enter the corral]. All those who came before me were thieves and robbers and the sheep did not listen to them. 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]. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came so that people could have life to its fullest. "I am the good shepherd; and a good shepherd [is willing] to die for the sheep. 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]. [The reason] he runs away is because he is a hired hand and does not [really] care about the sheep. I am the good shepherd and I know my sheep [intimately], and they know me [that way], 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. 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].

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]. Verse ConceptsSatan, Compared With AnimalsUnfaithful MinistersScattered Like SheepMen Similar To AnimalsWolvesPeople Abandoning People




For you people were wandering away like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. Verse ConceptsGuidance, Need For God'sOverseersGod our ShepherdSheepWatchfulness, DivineLost SheepAlienation, OvercomingWanderersPeople Going AstrayAnimals Going Astray



But [rather] go to the lost sheep of the people of Israel. Verse ConceptsSheep, FigurativeMore ThanIsrael HardenedLost People



What do you think? If anyone had a hundred sheep, and one of them wandered away, would he not leave the ninety-nine [safe ones] and go to the mountains looking for the one that wandered away? Verse ConceptsHillsSheepShepherds, As OccupationsWatchfulness, DivineLost SheepThe Number NinetyOne HundredThinking ArightGod Searching For PeopleAbandoning ThingsNinetiesMissing SomeoneBeing LostLosing Someone