Thematic Bible: Of the people of Christ
Thematic Bible
Sheep » Illustrative » Of the people of Christ
then he ask'd him the second time, Simon son of Jonas do you love me? yes, Lord, said he; you know that I love you. Jesus reply'd, feed my sheep. Jesus said to him the third time, Simon son of Jonas, do you love me? Peter was grieved at his asking him the third time, "do you love me?" and he said to him, Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you. Jesus said to him, feed my sheep.
Jesus therefore subjoin'd, I declare unto you, I am the door of the sheep-fold. they who have personated me, are all thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not follow them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved; he shall go in and out, and find pasture. read more.
the thief comes only to steal, to kill, and destroy: but I am come that they might have life, and have it with all its advantages. I am the true pastor: the true pastor exposes his life for the sheep. but the hireling, who is not the pastor, nor has the property of the sheep, seeing the wolf come, leaves the sheep, and flies away: so the wolf seizes some, and disperses the flock. the hireling flies, because he is an hireling, and is under no concern for the sheep. I am the true pastor, I know my sheep, and my sheep know me, (as the father and I are known to one another:) and I lay down my life for them. other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring; they will hear my voice; and so there shall be but one fold, and one pastor. therefore doth my father love me, because I lay down my life, but I shall reassume it. no man can take it from me, but I voluntarily lay it down: I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. this is the order I have received from my father. There was another schism therefore among the Jews, occasion'd by this discourse. for many of them said, he is possess'd with a demon, and is mad; why do you mind him? others said, this is not the language of one possess'd: can a demon give sight to the blind? At length the feast of the dedication was kept at Jerusalem, when the weather happen'd to be foul. as Jesus therefore was walking in the temple in Solomon's portico, the Jews came about him, and said, how long will you keep us in suspense? if you are the Messiah, tell us plainly. Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye did not believe me: the works that I do in my father's name, they testify of me. but, as I said before, you do not believe; because ye are not of my sheep.
the thief comes only to steal, to kill, and destroy: but I am come that they might have life, and have it with all its advantages. I am the true pastor: the true pastor exposes his life for the sheep. but the hireling, who is not the pastor, nor has the property of the sheep, seeing the wolf come, leaves the sheep, and flies away: so the wolf seizes some, and disperses the flock. the hireling flies, because he is an hireling, and is under no concern for the sheep. I am the true pastor, I know my sheep, and my sheep know me, (as the father and I are known to one another:) and I lay down my life for them. other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring; they will hear my voice; and so there shall be but one fold, and one pastor. therefore doth my father love me, because I lay down my life, but I shall reassume it. no man can take it from me, but I voluntarily lay it down: I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. this is the order I have received from my father. There was another schism therefore among the Jews, occasion'd by this discourse. for many of them said, he is possess'd with a demon, and is mad; why do you mind him? others said, this is not the language of one possess'd: can a demon give sight to the blind? At length the feast of the dedication was kept at Jerusalem, when the weather happen'd to be foul. as Jesus therefore was walking in the temple in Solomon's portico, the Jews came about him, and said, how long will you keep us in suspense? if you are the Messiah, tell us plainly. Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye did not believe me: the works that I do in my father's name, they testify of me. but, as I said before, you do not believe; because ye are not of my sheep.