What do you suppose Jesus meant when he said these words?

Question

John 10:14I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.

15As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

16And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

Do you suppose he was warning his disciples to not be quick to determine who his sheep are and not to attempt to make that decision for him?

If so, why are modern christians so quick to state who is "really" part of the flock and who is not?

I don't believe this parable was told to describe the nature of sheep but the nature of the shepherd. A shepherd would care for the sheep in his flock, protecting, administering to physical needs, attending to the feeding, the watering, and the daily care of the sheep in his flock... this had nothing to do with how "easily led" the followers were, but how much the shepherd cared for the flock.

Marlene: So Jesus wasn't saying that there are sheep in his flock that the disciples didn't know anything about?

So to you, this entire passage isn't about shepherds and sheep at all, this is simply a fortelling of his death... and all the other words were just filler to pass the time?
I think you underestimate the words of Jesus... and his ability to tell a meaningful story. Or perhaps you enjoy in deciding for him who is his "true" follower and who isn't. I'm guessing it's the latter.

Sarge: The purpose of this question wasn't to debate if Jesus said those words or not, but to figure out the actual meaning... and how it relates to our modern society. You, and nobody who agrees with you has to believe Jesus said those words. The words attributed to Jesus are a great study, even if he never actually existed. It doesn't make a bit of difference to me that a good portion of the words attributed to Jesus were actually philosophies that existed prior to his time. It doesn't matter to me that the story of his life, death, and resurection... and ascention into heaven had been told before. I'm just trying to figure out what other people think about those words. Why do you have to be so nasty about it?

Answer 1

Yes, I believe this is very much about the sheep that the disciples don't know about. Jesus hung out with Jews. What about the gentiles? I think this is definitely referring to them. And, although many think of "Christians" as gentiles, the gentiles were the non-Jews. What about the other non-Jewish "religions" of that time?

I don't think this was a warning. I think it was a statement of fact. **Others belong in this group that you don't know about. They know me, I know them. I intend to bring all of you guyses together eventually.**

It's still a valid question... "Why are modern Christians so quick to state who is "really" part of the flock and who is not?" I think it's clear that Jesus knows who belongs to him. Those that belong to Him know Him. And, as they are from "other folds," we [the Christians] can't possibly know who they are until everyone is part of one fold.

I think humans in general like to assume that we know what is happening. It makes us feel like we are "in the loop." I think these verses could be used to teach us that we don't know everything, since Jesus seems to be making it quite clear that we aren't "in the loop." I don't think it was a problem specific to future Christians. It seems like an issue existed even then, with even the original followers.

Answer 2

It is generally accepted that as he came specifically for the Jews, that the sheep intended are the Jews, but since it was obvious that they would reject him and he would avail himself to the gentiles, that the "sheep I have, which are not of this fold" is referencing any non-Jews who accept Jesus as their Savior.

However, you make a valid point, in that outside of the fact that if a person does not accept Jesus Christ as the only begotten son of God, who came, died, and arose and will return for his people - then there is no other way to heaven - we cannot know who is of the flock and who isn't.

This is the third really excellent question tonight I've answered - must have been great prayer meetings in the nation tonight!

Answer 3

Im not a church goer but I do believe in God I do not read the bible either I let the lord guide me because Human beings are deceitful and I must find my own path with God his way with out the influence of others.
God does not intervine with free will. Man has taken the church and the bible and twisted it to serve him better.
How is it you are to give 10% of your earnings to the church when the leaders of that church take your money and profit from it more than the church and community? Ive never understood that. How is it that gossip runs so deep and fast like wild fire when ye should not judge but help thy fellow man. How are children getting malested by the people of the church?
Your best bet is to be the best person you can. help those who you can Love god and all will be well
this is only my opinion so I do apologize if I offend anyone

Answer 4

Well John 10:16 means that there are other people that he must go and visit and teach his word to that was not where he was teaching his gospel.

John 10 14-15 means that Jesus knows all of us and that he knows his dad or Father and He knows Him and that he will sacafice (crucify) himself for us.

Cause some churchs think that they are the one and that all are cults. But they don't take into account (cant recall where it is said) He who is with out sin cast the first stone.

Answer 5

Read verses 7-18 to get the whole picture. Christ speaks of his own death and return for his sheep (believers), both those directly around him at the time and others not from that particular place. But all are still his sheep.
Your suppositions are way off base.

Answer 6

I perfectly agree with Joseph and Emily who answered this. It is not for us to judge and find out who are His people and who are not. Our job is to spread the good news of the gospel. Its for the other hearers to accept it or not. The other thing is that the gospel is for Jews alone. Its for everyone. Anyone who hears the gospel and accepts Jesus as his personal saviour is saved and is born again. He has the passport to enter heaven.
Someone pointed out here that Christians are like sheep, without any mind of their own, like robots. Its not correct. The choice was given right from Adam's time. Adam chose the wrong one and bore the consequences.

Answer 7

Almost all of Jesus' ministry was to the Jews. They believed they were the only chosen people that God wanted to have anything to do with. Jesus was introducing the idea to them of salvation for the Gentiles (everyone who was not a Jew). Then, all believers in Jesus, Jew and Gentiles alike, would be united together in one group, the church.

There has always been one criteria for "judging" who belongs to Jesus...those who believe in Him and do what He says out of sincere love and faith. Now, I can not determine that absolutely for another person...but I can know that that is the criteria. If you do not believe, I can know you don't belong to Him (at least yet). Or I can see overwhelming evidence of sincere love and faith, I can be pretty sure. But you are right that there are many people about whom we can't be "sure" if they belong to Jesus or not...they may, and are just young in their faith. In any case, I need to make sure I am, help others who want my help, and leave the rest in God's hands.

Answer 8

It is not a warning. He is simply saying that in order for anyone to be one of the fold, they must hear his words. So go out and preach the word of Jesus, it is the word of God. Take the word to those who have never heard it, so that they can decide wether or not to join the flock and be saved.

Answer 9

According to Mormons (like me), the other sheep which are not of this fold refer to other people that the Jews didn't know about, the people on the American continent. If you want more info, read the Book of Mormon or go to mormon.org to learn a little bit about it. I'm not trying to convert you, I'm just trying to get you to have an open mind to someone's belief's whose aren't the same as yours.

Answer 10

Prove Jesus actually said those words. He did not have a stenographer or a tape recorder. Whoever that was that wrote those confusing passages, did so many years after the fact. It is difficult enough to remember what you had for lunch yesterday. How much more years ago.