Easter Season · Fourth Sunday of Easter · Year B
John 10:11-18
The Shepherd and His Flock
April 18, 2027
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
Luther Seminary scholar unpacks the Good Shepherd who lays down his life and the one flock of Good Shepherd Sunday.
John 10 Commentary: The Good Shepherd, Verse by Verse Enduring Word · David Guzik
David Guzik works through the shepherd discourse verse by verse, contrasting the shepherd with the hired hand.
John 10:11 Commentaries BibleHub
Aggregates classic commentators on I am the good shepherd and the laying down of life for the sheep.
John 10:11-18 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching
Reformed preaching commentary from Calvin Seminary reading the text for the pulpit on Good Shepherd Sunday.
The Good Shepherd: SALT's Lectionary Commentary for Easter 4 SALT Project
Ecumenical reflection reading kalos as true or genuine and the shepherd's goal as abundant life.
Fourth Sunday of Easter, Cycle B Loyola Press · Sunday Connection
Catholic Sunday Connection linking the Good Shepherd to sacrificial service and family reflection.
Background & Word Study
John 10:11 Interlinear BibleHub
Greek word-by-word view showing kalos (good, true) shepherd and the verb for laying down one's life.
Gospel of John Summary: Overview Video (Part 1) BibleProject
Animated overview of John's Gospel, framing the I am sayings and the theme of abundant life.
John 10:11-18, Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd Enter the Bible
Luther Seminary passage summary keyed to exactly these verses for background on the shepherd image.
Jesus is the good shepherd in John 10 Psephizo · Ian Paul
Ian Paul's Anglican study essay on the Old Testament shepherd background behind Jesus' claim.
The Church Fathers
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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