Easter · The Third Sunday of Easter (Misericordias Domini)
John 10:11-16
The Shepherd and His Flock
April 19, 2026
Overview & Insights
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11)
The brief exchange between Jesus and the Pharisees in 9:39–41 is only the beginning of a discourse extending (with one interruption) through most of chapter 10. The pattern found in chapters 5 and 6, a miracle followed by a discourse interpreting it, is maintained here as well. What chapter 10 interprets, however, is not the healing of the blind man as such but the events that followed the healing, that is, the former blind man’s expulsion from the synagogue and his confession of faith in Jesus. Two contrasts dominate the chapter: the contrast between the Pharisees and Jesus as shepherds of the people and the contrast between the Pharisees and the former blind man as recipients of Jesus’ message.
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Commentary
Commentary on John 10:11-18 (Working Preacher) Working Preacher
Lutheran commentary for Good Shepherd Sunday, the RCL slot covering these verses (11-18).
John 10 Commentary: The Good Shepherd, Verse by Verse Enduring Word · David Guzik
Verse-by-verse evangelical commentary on the good shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep.
John 10:11-18 (Center for Excellence in Preaching) Center for Excellence in Preaching
Reformed preaching commentary reading kalos as the true and genuine shepherd.
John 10 Commentary (Precept Austin) Precept Austin
In-depth study notes with cross references and word helps for the chapter.
John 10:11 Commentaries BibleHub
Classic commentators gathered verse by verse on the good shepherd discourse.
Fourth Sunday of Easter, Cycle B (Sunday Connection) Loyola Press · Sunday Connection
Catholic reflection, prayer, and activities for Good Shepherd Sunday's Gospel.
Background & Word Study
John 10:11 Interlinear BibleHub
Greek text with parsing and Strong's numbers for I am the good shepherd.
John (Enter the Bible) Enter the Bible
Luther Seminary background on the authorship, structure, and themes of John's Gospel.
Gospel of John Overview Video (Part 1) BibleProject
Animated overview mapping the literary design of John's Gospel.
Jesus is our good shepherd in John 10 (Psephizo) Psephizo · Ian Paul
Anglican biblical-studies discussion of the shepherd imagery in its Second Temple context.
The Church Fathers
Sermons & Reflections
Questions preachers ask
Why is this called Good Shepherd Sunday?
On the Fourth Sunday of Easter Jesus names himself the Good Shepherd who knows his sheep and lays down his life for them, and who has other sheep to gather into one flock.
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