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 that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. 5And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. 6This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.

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

• 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 any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
• John 13:15For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
• John 14:2In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
• Deuteronomy 1:30Yhwh your God which goeth before you, he shall fight for you, according to all that he did for you in Egypt before your eyes;
• Micah 2:12I will surely assemble, O Jacob, all of thee; I will surely gather the remnant of Israel; I will put them together as the sheep of Bozrah, as the flock in the midst of their fold: they shall make great noise by reason of the multitude of men.
• Matthew 16:24Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
• 1 Corinthians 11:1Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
• Ephesians 5:1Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
• Philippians 2:5Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
• Hebrews 6:20Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
• Hebrews 12:2Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
• 1 Peter 2:21For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
• 1 Peter 4:1Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;
• 1 Peter 5:3Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
• John 10:8All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.
• John 3:29He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.

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