Thematic Bible: Shepherd


Thematic Bible



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


Now may the God of peace, who brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep [i.e., the church], through the blood of the never ending Agreement [i.e., Christ's blood], Verse ConceptsBlood, of Jesus ChristCovenant, the newGod our ShepherdSheepPerfectionChrist, The ShepherdSpiritual PeaceChrist, Names ForThe New CovenantThe Eternal CovenantGod Raising ChristBlood Of The CovenantGod Of PeaceShepherdsThe Blood Of Jesus

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

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].



Now there were [some] shepherds in that region who were living in the fields and guarding their flocks [of sheep] at night. Verse ConceptsChristmasUnidentified AngelsGuardsMonotonyMan Keeping WatchShepherds, As OccupationsThose Who Kept StockShepherdsNativity of Jesus ChristJesus BirthWeather In The Last Days




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

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


And when the Supreme Shepherd [i.e., Jesus] comes back, you will receive [for your effort] a glorious crown [of reward] that will never fade away [Note: The idea of "fading away" is suggested by the laurel wreath bestowed on the winner of an athletic contest]. Verse ConceptsFutureCrowns Of Christianseternal life, nature ofAthleticsHeavenly RewardsLast ThingsHeaven,  Redeemed CommunityPeter, Preacher And TeacherPrizesReward, For God's PeopleSelf DisciplineShepherds, As Church LeaderChrist, The ShepherdNames And Titles For ChristChrist, Names ForNo DecayCrowns For God's PeopleBemaGlorification



"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]. Verse ConceptsShepherds, As Church LeaderShepherds, As OccupationsStealingChrist, Names ForSheepfoldsChrist Telling The TruthTruly Trulythievesjumping















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]. 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."



Now there were [some] shepherds in that region who were living in the fields and guarding their flocks [of sheep] at night. [Suddenly] an angel from the Lord [was seen] standing near them and the glorious presence of the Lord shone around them, and they were very afraid. And the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for look, I am bringing good news that will cause great joy to all people. read more.
For a Savior has been born today in David's city [i.e., Bethlehem], who is Christ the Lord [i.e., God's specially chosen one]. And this is the sign [that will verify it] to you: You will find a baby wrapped in [linen] cloths lying in an animal's feeding trough." Then suddenly there appeared with the angel a large number of the heavenly "army" [i.e., of angels], who were praising God and saying, "May there be glory to God in the highest [heavens], and may there be peace on earth among men who are pleasing to God." And it happened when the angels left them and returned to heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go to Bethlehem now and see what all happened that the Lord told us about." So, they went quickly and found both Mary and Joseph with the baby, lying in the animal's feeding trough. And when they saw this, they told [everyone] what the angel had said about this baby. And all who heard it marveled at the things the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these things and wondered about them [often]. Then the shepherds returned [to their fields], honoring and praising God for everything they had heard and seen, for it all happened just as they had been told.


And people from all the nations will be assembled in front of Him and He will separate them from one another, like a shepherd separating his sheep from the goats. Verse ConceptsGoatsHell, As An ExperienceSeparationShepherds, As OccupationsThe Judgement InvolvesWicked Described AsSeparating AnimalsGathering Other NationsGod Saves From Sin And DeathSheep And GoatsJudgment Of The Nationsdivisiongatheringgroups