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 the one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice. 5They won’t follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don’t know his voice.” 6Those who heard Jesus use this illustration didn’t understand what he meant,

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 12:26Anyone who wants to serve me must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.
• John 13:15I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.
• John 14:2There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?
• Deuteronomy 1:30The Lord your God is going ahead of you. He will fight for you, just as you saw him do in Egypt.
• Micah 2:12“Someday, O Israel, I will gather you; I will gather the remnant who are left. I will bring you together again like sheep in a pen, like a flock in its pasture. Yes, your land will again be filled with noisy crowds!
• Matthew 16:24Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.
• 1 Corinthians 11:1And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.
• Ephesians 5:1Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children.
• Philippians 2:5You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
• Hebrews 6:20Jesus has already gone in there for us. He has become our eternal High Priest in the order of Melchizedek.
• Hebrews 12:2We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.
• 1 Peter 2:21For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps.
• 1 Peter 4:1So then, since Christ suffered physical pain, you must arm yourselves with the same attitude he had, and be ready to suffer, too. For if you have suffered physically for Christ, you have finished with sin.
• 1 Peter 5:3Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example.
• John 10:8All who came before me were thieves and robbers. But the true sheep did not listen to them.
• John 3:29It is the bridegroom who marries the bride, and the bridegroom’s friend is simply glad to stand with him and hear his vows. Therefore, I am filled with joy at his success.

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