John 10:4

John 10:4 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
• New International Version (NIV)When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.
• English Standard Version (ESV)When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.
• New King James Version (NKJV)And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.

Context of John 10:4

2But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep [the protector and provider]. 3The doorkeeper opens [the gate] for this man, and the sheep hear his voice and pay attention to it. And [knowing that they listen] he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out [to pasture]. When he has brought all his own sheep outside, he walks on ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice and recognize his call. 5They will never follow a stranger, but will run away from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what He was talking about.

John 10:4 word by word

ὅταν τὰ ἴδια πάντα ἐκβάλῃ, ἔμπροσθεν αὐτῶν πορεύεται, καὶ τὰ πρόβατα αὐτῷ ἀκολουθεῖ, ὅτι οἴδασιν τὴν φωνὴν αὐτοῦ.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Andκαίkai · andG2532
• whenὅτανhotan · when(-ever)G3752
• he putteth forthἐκβάλλωekballō · to expelG1544
• his ownἴδιοςidios · one's own/privateG2398
• sheepπρόβατονprobaton · sheepG4263
• heαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
• goethπορεύωporeuomai · to travelG4198
• before themἔμπροσθενemprosthen · beforeG1715
• the sheepὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• followἀκολουθέωakoloutheō · to followG190
• forὅτιhoti · that/since: sinceG3754
• they knowεἴδωeidō · to perceive: understandG1492
• voiceφωνήphōnē · voice/sound: voiceG5456

Cross-references for John 10:4

• John 12:26If anyone serves Me, he must [continue to faithfully] follow Me [without hesitation, holding steadfastly to Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me]; and wherever I am [in heaven’s glory], there will My servant be also. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.
• John 13:15For I gave you [this as] an example, so that you should do [in turn] as I did to you.
• John 14:2In My Father’s house are many dwelling places. If it were not so, I would have told you, because I am going there to prepare a place for you.
• Deuteronomy 1:30The Lord your God who goes before you will fight for you Himself, just as He did for you in Egypt before your [very] eyes,
• Micah 2:12“I shall most certainly assemble all of you, O Jacob; I shall surely gather the remnant of Israel. I shall bring them together like sheep in the fold [multiplying the nation]; Like a flock in the midst of its pasture. The place will swarm with many people and hum loudly with noise.
• Matthew 16:24Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to follow Me [as My disciple], he must deny himself [set aside selfish interests], and take up his cross [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow Me [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me].
• 1 Corinthians 11:1Imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.
• Ephesians 5:1Therefore become imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father];
• Philippians 2:5Have this same attitude in yourselves which was in Christ Jesus [look to Him as your example in selfless humility],
• Hebrews 6:20where Jesus has entered [in advance] as a forerunner for us, having become a High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.
• Hebrews 12:2[looking away from all that will distract us and] focusing our eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Perfecter of faith [the first incentive for our belief and the One who brings our faith to maturity], who for the joy [of accomplishing the goal] set before Him endured the cross, disregarding the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God [revealing His deity, His authority, and the completion of His work].
• 1 Peter 2:21For [as a believer] you have been called for this purpose, since Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you may follow in His footsteps.
• 1 Peter 4:1Therefore, since Christ suffered in the flesh [and died for us], arm yourselves [like warriors] with the same purpose [being willing to suffer for doing what is right and pleasing God], because whoever has suffered in the flesh [being like-minded with Christ] is done with [intentional] sin [having stopped pleasing the world],
• 1 Peter 5:3not lording it over those assigned to your care [do not be arrogant or overbearing], but be examples [of Christian living] to the flock [set a pattern of integrity for your congregation].
• John 10:8All who came before Me [as false messiahs and self-appointed leaders] are thieves and robbers, but the [true] sheep did not hear them.
• John 3:29He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands by and listens to him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. So this pleasure and joy of mine is now complete.

Commentaries on John 10:4

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 4He goeth before them - A sixth mark of a true pastor is, he gives them a good example: he not only preaches, but he lives, the truth of the Gospel; he enters into the depths of the salvation of God; and, having thus explored the path, he knows how to lead those who are entrusted to his care into the fullness of the blessings of the Gospel of peace. He who does not endeavor to realize in his own soul the truths which he preaches to others will soon be as…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 4He putteth forth - Or leads them out of the fold. He goeth before them - He leads them, and guides them, and does not leave them. A shepherd spent his time with his flocks. He went before them to seek the best pastures and watering-places, and to defend them from danger. In this is beautifully represented the tender care of him who watches for souls as one that must give account.Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 4A good shepherd goes ahead of the sheep and leads them. He does not force them from behind. When the sheep recognize his voice, they trust him and follow.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-21This discourse seems plainly to be a continuation of the closing verses of the ninth chapter. The figure was familiar to the Jewish ear (from Jr 23:1-40; Eze 34:1-31; Zec 11:1-17, &c.). "This simple creature [the sheep] has this special note among all animals, that it quickly hears the voice of the shepherd, follows no one else, depends entirely on him, and seeks help from him alone--cannot help itself, but is shut up to another's aid" [Luther in Stier]…Read the comment

Topics related to John 10:4

• Character
• God Continued...
• Jesus Continued
• Jesus, the Christ
• Minister, Christian
• Righteous
• Sheep
• Shepherd
• Wisdom

In the dictionaries

• Fold
• Lay
• Parable
• Sanctify
• Sheep
• Thief
• Allegory
• God
• Jesus Christ
• John, Gospel of

Commentaries on John 10

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Catena Aurea
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• John Lightfoot Commentary
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings