7 Bible Verses about Shepherds

Most Relevant Verses

Hebrews 13:20

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],

1 Peter 5:2-4

You should serve as shepherds of God's flock [i.e., the church], among whom you minister, providing careful oversight [of the people], not because you feel forced to, but because you want to, as this is in accordance with the way God wants it to be. Do not [serve as elders] simply out of a desire for the income you receive, but because your heart is in it. Do not act as dictators over the people you are assigned to care for, but [rather] serve as examples of how they ought to live. 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].

From Thematic Bible


Christian ministers » Servants » Shepherds

Ministers » Remuneration of » Shepherds

John 21:17

Then Jesus asked him a third time, "Simon, son of John, do you [truly] love me?" Peter was sad because Jesus had asked him a third time, "Do you [even] love me?" So, he said to Jesus, "Lord, you know all things. You [surely] know that I love you." Jesus replied to him, "[Then] feed my sheep.

More verses: 1 Peter 5:2

Names » Of ministers » Shepherds

Religious zeal » Instances of » Shepherds

Luke 2:17-18

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.

Shepherds » Illustrative » (ignorant and foolish,) of bad ministers

Shepherds » Illustrative » Of Christ as the good shepherd

Hebrews 13:20

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],

Shepherds » Members of the family both male and female acted as

Shepherds » Illustrative » Of kings as the leaders of the people

Shepherds » Care of the sheep by, exhibited in » Going before and leading them

Shepherds » Dwelt in tents while tending their flocks

Shepherds » Care of the sheep by, exhibited in » Seeking out good pasture for them

Shepherds » FALSE » Prey upon the flock instead of feeding it

Shepherds » Illustrative » (their care and tenderness,) of tenderness of Christ

Shepherds » Care of the sheep by, exhibited in » Defending them when attacked by wild beasts

Shepherds » Carried a staff or rod

Shepherds » Care of the sheep by, exhibited in » Searching them out when lost and straying

Luke 15:4-5

"Which one of you who has a hundred sheep, and loses one of them, would not leave the ninety-nine in a deserted place and go looking for the lost one until he finds it? And when he finds it, he places it on his shoulders [i.e., to return it], and is so glad.

Shepherds » Illustrative » (searching out straying sheep,) of Christ seeking the lost

Luke 15:2-7

And the Pharisees and experts in the law of Moses both complained, saying, "This man welcomes worldly people and [even] eats with them." So, Jesus told them this parable, saying, "Which one of you who has a hundred sheep, and loses one of them, would not leave the ninety-nine in a deserted place and go looking for the lost one until he finds it? read more.
And when he finds it, he places it on his shoulders [i.e., to return it], and is so glad. And when he gets home, he calls his friends and neighbors together and says to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I found my sheep that was lost.' I tell you that, in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinful person who repents [i.e., changes his heart and life], than over ninety-nine persons who do not need to repent.

Shepherds » Illustrative » Of God as leader of israel

Shepherds » Care of the sheep by, exhibited in » Tenderness to the ewes in lamb, and to the young

Shepherds » FALSE » Insentiate and pleasure-loving

Shepherds » Care of the sheep by, exhibited in » Numbering them when they return from pasture

Shepherds » Usually carried a scrip or bag

Shepherds » Had hired keepers under them

Shepherds » FALSE » Lead the sheep astray

Shepherds » FALSE » Scatter the flock

Shepherds » Illustrative » Ministers » Of the gospel

Shepherds » Care of the sheep by, exhibited in » Attending them when sick

Shepherds » An abomination to the egyptians

Shepherds » Early mention of

Shepherds » FALSE » Hirelings forsake the sheep

John 10:12

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].

Shepherds » Care of the sheep by, exhibited in » Knowing them

Shepherds » The unfaithfulness of hireling, alluded to

John 10:12

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].

Shepherds » Care of the sheep by, exhibited in » Watching over them by night

Titles and names of ministers » Shepherds

FALSE » Shepherds » Teachers

2 Peter 2:1

But just as there were false prophets among the people before, there will also be false teachers among you [Christians]. They will privately teach harmful doctrines that destroy people [spiritually], by even denying [that Jesus is] the Master, [and thereby] destroying themselves quickly.

1 Timothy 6:3

If anyone teaches a different doctrine [i.e., from what has been urged above], and does not agree to [proclaim the] sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and to teaching that is godly [i.e., in harmony with godliness],

1 Timothy 1:7

They want to be teachers of the law of Moses, even though they do not understand what they are saying or what they are affirming with [such] confidence.

2 Timothy 4:3

For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound teaching, but will assemble to themselves teachers who will satisfy what their "itching ears" want to hear.

FALSE » Shepherds » Prey upon the flock instead of feeding it

FALSE » Shepherds » Insentiate and pleasure-loving

FALSE » Shepherds » Lead the sheep astray

FALSE » Shepherds » Scatter the flock

FALSE » Shepherds » Hirelings forsake the sheep

John 10:12

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].

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