John 10:11-22

11I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His [own] life for the sheep.

12But the hired man [who merely serves for wages], who is neither the shepherd nor the owner of the sheep, when he sees the wolf coming, deserts the flock and runs away; and the wolf snatches the sheep and scatters them.

13The man runs because he is a hired hand [who serves only for wages] and is not concerned about the [safety of the] sheep.

14I am the Good Shepherd, and I know [without any doubt those who are] My own and My own know Me [and have a deep, personal relationship with Me]—

15even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father—and I lay down My [very own] life [sacrificing it] for the benefit of the sheep.

16I have other sheep [beside these] that are not of this fold. I must bring those also, and they will listen to My voice and pay attention to My call, and they will become one flock with one Shepherd.

17For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My [own] life so that I may take it back.

18No one takes it away from Me, but I lay it down voluntarily. I am authorized and have power to lay it down and to give it up, and I am authorized and have power to take it back. This command I have received from My Father.”

19A division [of opinion] occurred again among the Jews because of these words [of His].

20Many of them said, “He has a demon and He is mad [insane—He raves and rambles]. Why listen to Him?”

21Others were saying, “These are not the words and thoughts of one possessed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”

22At that time the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem.