John 10:27 Meaning and Explanation
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Jesus describes the quiet, mutual belonging between the Shepherd and those who are His.
The Context of John 10:27
Spoken in the temple at the feast of the Dedication, in winter (verse 22). Some had pressed Jesus to say plainly whether He was the Christ, and He answers by speaking of His sheep, those who belong to Him and know His voice.
What Does John 10:27 Mean?
In Jesus' day a shepherd lived among his flock, and the sheep came to know him by sound. Several flocks might mingle at a well, yet at their own shepherd's call each group would lift its head and follow only him. Jesus takes that familiar picture and makes three quiet claims about His own. They hear His voice, picking it out from all the others. He knows them, each one, not as a crowd but by name. And they follow Him, falling in behind where He leads.
What stands out is the warmth running both ways. We are not anonymous in this flock. The Shepherd knows us, and we come to recognize Him. The hearing and the following are not heavy labor; they grow naturally out of being known and loved. In the verses just after, Jesus promises that He gives these sheep eternal life, and no one can pluck them out of His hand (verses 28 and 29). To hear His voice is to belong to the One who will not let us go.
John 10:27 in the Original Language
probaton (πρόβατον), 'sheep' -- the flock that belongs to a shepherd, dependent on him and known by him.
How to Apply John 10:27 Today
When we wonder whether we truly belong to God, this verse turns it around: He knows us, by name, and His voice is one we can learn to recognize. We listen for Him in His word and follow as we are able, held by a Shepherd who has promised never to let us be snatched away.
Frequently Asked Questions About John 10:27
What does John 10:27 mean?
Jesus describes the quiet, mutual belonging between the Shepherd and those who are His.
What is the context of John 10:27?
Spoken in the temple at the feast of the Dedication, in winter (verse 22). Some had pressed Jesus to say plainly whether He was the Christ, and He answers by speaking of His sheep, those who belong to Him and know His voice.
How can I apply John 10:27 today?
When we wonder whether we truly belong to God, this verse turns it around: He knows us, by name, and His voice is one we can learn to recognize. We listen for Him in His word and follow as we are able, held by a Shepherd who has promised never to let us be snatched away.