John 10:12

KJV

But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G1161} he that is {G5607} an hireling {G3411}, and {G2532} not {G3756} the shepherd {G4166}, whose {G3739} own {G2398} the sheep {G4263} are {G1526} not {G3756}, seeth {G2334} the wolf {G3074} coming {G2064}, and {G2532} leaveth {G863} the sheep {G4263}, and {G2532} fleeth {G5343}: and {G2532} the wolf {G3074} catcheth {G726} them {G846}, and {G2532} scattereth {G4650} the sheep {G4263}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The hired hand, since he isn’t a shepherd and the sheep aren’t his own, sees the wolf coming, abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf drags them off and scatters them.

Berean Standard Bible

The hired hand is not the shepherd, and the sheep are not his own. When he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf pounces on them and scatters the flock.

American Standard Version

He that is a hireling, and not a shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, beholdeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth, and the wolf snatcheth them, and scattereth them:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 10:12, nestled within Jesus' discourse on the Good Shepherd, vividly contrasts the self-serving nature of a "hireling" with the sacrificial love of a true shepherd. This verse exposes the motivations and catastrophic outcomes of leadership driven by personal gain rather than genuine care for the flock, portraying a stark image of abandonment and dispersion when danger arises.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of Jesus' extended allegory in [John 10](/john/10 "John 10 - The Good Shepherd Discourse"), which immediately follows the miraculous healing of the man born blind in [John 9](/john/9 "John 9 - Healing of the Man Born Blind"). Jesus uses the familiar imagery of a sheepfold and shepherds to articulate profound truths about spiritual leadership, His own identity, and the nature of His relationship with His followers. Having declared Himself the [door of the sheep](/john/10-7 "John 10:7 - Jesus, the Door") and, more significantly, the [Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - The Good Shepherd's Sacrifice"), Jesus now introduces the foil: the hireling. Verse 12 serves to highlight the essential difference between His own selfless devotion and the mercenary attitude of those who lack true commitment, thereby reinforcing the unique and unparalleled nature of His shepherding.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Shepherding was a ubiquitous and highly respected profession in ancient Israel, deeply woven into the fabric of daily life and religious metaphor. Shepherds were known for their intimate knowledge of their sheep, their vigilance against predators, and their willingness to endure hardship for the flock's safety. In contrast, a "hireling" (μισθωτός, _misthōtós_) was a day laborer, someone employed for wages who had no personal stake or ownership in the flock. Such individuals were often less invested in the sheep's welfare, prioritizing their own safety and compensation. The imagery of a wolf was also potent, representing a constant and deadly threat to the vulnerable sheep. This cultural understanding would have immediately conveyed to Jesus' audience the profound difference in responsibility and care between an owner-shepherd and a hired hand.

* **Key Themes:** John 10:12 contributes significantly to several major themes within the chapter and the broader Gospel. Firstly, it develops the theme of **True vs. False Leadership**, starkly contrasting the Good Shepherd with the negligent hireling, thereby providing a criterion for discerning genuine spiritual authority. Secondly, it underscores the **Vulnerability of the Flock** when left without proper protection, emphasizing the sheep's dependence on their shepherd. This theme is further explored in Jesus' later promise that [no one will snatch His sheep out of His hand](/john/10-28 "John 10:28 - Security of the Sheep"). Thirdly, the verse foreshadows the **Consequences of Abandonment**, illustrating how self-preservation on the part of the leader leads directly to the suffering and scattering of those entrusted to their care, echoing Old Testament condemnations of irresponsible leaders, such as those found in [Ezekiel 34:2-6](/ezekiel/34-2-6 "Ezekiel 34:2-6 - Prophecy Against Negligent Shepherds").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **hireling (Greek, _misthōtós_):** From G3411, meaning a wage-worker or hired servant. This term is crucial as it denotes someone who works purely for payment, lacking the deep personal investment or ownership that characterizes a true shepherd. Their motivation is external (wages) rather than internal (love or responsibility for the flock).
* **wolf (Greek, _lýkos_):** From G3074, referring to a wolf. In biblical symbolism, the wolf consistently represents a destructive, predatory force that preys on the vulnerable flock. It embodies spiritual dangers, false teachers, or persecutors who seek to harm and scatter God's people, as seen in [Matthew 7:15](/matthew/7-15 "Matthew 7:15 - False Prophets as Wolves").
* **scattereth (Greek, _skorpízō_):** From G4650, meaning to dissipate, put to flight, or scatter abroad. This word vividly describes the catastrophic outcome of the hireling's abandonment. The sheep, left defenseless, are not only caught by the wolf but also dispersed, losing their unity and protection, a tragic consequence of negligent leadership.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not,"**: This opening clause immediately establishes the identity and fundamental flaw of the subject. The "hireling" is defined not by their profession but by their lack of true ownership and, by extension, genuine care for the sheep. Their relationship with the flock is purely transactional, devoid of the intrinsic bond and responsibility that characterizes a true shepherd.
* **"seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth:"**: This part describes the hireling's response to danger. Upon perceiving the threat (the wolf), their true motivation is revealed. Instead of confronting the danger, they prioritize their own safety, abandoning the vulnerable sheep. The actions "leaveth" and "fleeth" emphasize their self-preservation over the flock's well-being.
* **"and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep."**: This final clause details the devastating consequences of the hireling's desertion. The wolf, unimpeded, seizes the defenseless sheep, and then proceeds to scatter the rest of the flock. This illustrates the direct and destructive impact of irresponsible leadership, leading to the harm and disunity of the community.

#### Literary Devices
John 10:12 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. The most prominent is **Metaphor**, where Jesus uses the familiar imagery of a shepherd, sheep, hireling, and wolf to represent spiritual realities. The "shepherd" symbolizes true spiritual leaders, particularly Jesus Himself; the "sheep" represent His followers; the "hireling" embodies false or self-serving leaders; and the "wolf" stands for destructive forces, false teachings, or persecutors. This verse also utilizes **Contrast** (or **Antithesis**), setting up a stark opposition between the actions and motivations of the hireling and the implied actions of the Good Shepherd (as described in the preceding and following verses). The hireling's flight is juxtaposed with the Good Shepherd's willingness to lay down His life. Furthermore, **Symbolism** is evident in the consistent representation of the wolf as a predatory force of evil, reinforcing its destructive nature. The act of "scattering" also carries symbolic weight, signifying disunity, vulnerability, and spiritual harm within the community.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 10:12 profoundly illuminates the nature of true spiritual leadership, distinguishing it from mere professional engagement. It teaches that genuine care for God's people stems not from obligation or monetary incentive, but from an intrinsic love and sense of ownership, a reflection of God's own covenantal faithfulness to His flock. The hireling's abandonment underscores the severe consequences of self-serving leadership, where the flock's safety is sacrificed for the leader's personal comfort or gain. This serves as a timeless warning against those who would exploit or neglect the vulnerable, emphasizing the critical importance of discernment within the community of faith.

* [Ezekiel 34:2-6](/ezekiel/34-2-6 "Ezekiel 34:2-6 - Woes Against Israel's Shepherds")
* [Matthew 7:15](/matthew/7-15 "Matthew 7:15 - Beware of False Prophets")
* [Acts 20:29-30](/acts/20-29-30 "Acts 20:29-30 - Paul's Warning to the Ephesian Elders")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 10:12 calls us to a profound level of discernment and self-examination, both as followers and as potential leaders within the spiritual flock. For those who are led, it is a crucial reminder to evaluate the character and motivations of those who claim to shepherd them. Do their actions demonstrate genuine love and sacrifice for the sheep, or do they reveal a primary concern for personal gain, comfort, or prestige? True spiritual leadership, modeled by Christ, is characterized by a willingness to stand firm in the face of danger, even at personal cost, to protect and nourish the flock. For those in positions of leadership, this verse serves as a sobering mirror, challenging us to ask if our motives are pure, if our commitment is unwavering, and if we are truly willing to lay down our comfort, time, and even reputation for the welfare of those entrusted to our care. The scattering of the sheep is a stark warning of the devastating impact of negligent and self-serving leadership, urging us to embody the selfless heart of the Good Shepherd.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How can I discern between a "hireling" and a "true shepherd" in my own spiritual journey?**
* **What "wolves" (spiritual dangers, false teachings, worldly pressures) might be threatening the "sheep" in my community or personal life today?**
* **In what ways might I, either as a leader or a follower, be tempted to act like a "hireling" by prioritizing my own comfort or gain over the well-being of others?**

### FAQ

**What is the primary difference between a "shepherd" and a "hireling" in this context?**

Answer: The primary difference lies in their motivation and relationship to the sheep. A "shepherd" (in this discourse, specifically the Good Shepherd, Jesus) has a deep, intrinsic connection to the sheep; they are "his own." This ownership implies a profound love, responsibility, and willingness to sacrifice, even to lay down one's life, for the sheep's well-being, as Jesus states in [John 10:11](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - The Good Shepherd's Sacrifice"). A "hireling," on the other hand, works for wages and has no personal ownership or deep affection for the sheep. Their motivation is purely transactional, leading them to abandon the flock when danger arises because their own safety or profit is prioritized over the sheep's welfare.

**Who or what does the "wolf" represent in this verse?**

Answer: The "wolf" in this context represents any destructive force or entity that seeks to harm, exploit, or scatter God's people. Biblically, wolves are often symbolic of false teachers, spiritual predators, or persecutors who infiltrate the flock to cause damage and lead believers astray. Jesus Himself warns against [false prophets who come in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravening wolves](/matthew/7-15 "Matthew 7:15 - False Prophets as Wolves"). The wolf's actions—catching and scattering the sheep—underscore the devastating impact of such threats when the flock is left unprotected.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 10:12, by vividly portraying the failure of the hireling, serves to magnify the unparalleled glory and sufficiency of Jesus Christ as the true and ultimate Shepherd. The hireling's flight in the face of danger stands in stark contrast to Jesus' unwavering commitment to His flock. While the hireling abandons the sheep to be caught and scattered by the wolf, Jesus, the Good Shepherd, willingly [lays down His life for the sheep](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - The Good Shepherd's Sacrifice"), confronting the "wolf" of sin, death, and the devil head-on. His sacrifice on the cross was the ultimate act of protection, ensuring that His sheep would not be lost or scattered, but gathered into His fold. He is not merely a hired hand, but the [Chief Shepherd](/1_peter/5-4 "1 Peter 5:4 - The Chief Shepherd") who perfectly fulfills the prophetic longing for a shepherd who would truly care for God's scattered flock, as promised in [Ezekiel 34:23-24](/ezekiel/34-23-24 "Ezekiel 34:23-24 - David, My Servant, as Shepherd"). Through His death and resurrection, Jesus has secured His sheep eternally, demonstrating that [no one can snatch them out of His hand](/john/10-28 "John 10:28 - Security of the Sheep"), a stark contrast to the hireling's inability to protect. He is the faithful, self-sacrificing Shepherd who guarantees the eternal security and unity of His flock, a promise that finds its ultimate fulfillment in His ongoing intercession and future return as the [Great Shepherd of the sheep](/hebrews/13-20 "Hebrews 13:20 - The Great Shepherd").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Peter 2:3

¶ And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

Zechariah 11:16

For, lo, I will raise up a shepherd in the land, [which] shall not visit those that be cut off, neither shall seek the young one, nor heal that that is broken, nor feed that that standeth still: but he shall eat the flesh of the fat, and tear their claws in pieces.

Zechariah 11:17

Woe to the idol shepherd that leaveth the flock! the sword [shall be] upon his arm, and upon his right eye: his arm shall be clean dried up, and his right eye shall be utterly darkened.

Ezekiel 34:2

Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD unto the shepherds; Woe [be] to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks?

Ezekiel 34:6

My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill: yea, my flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none did search or seek [after them].

Acts 20:29

For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.

Matthew 10:16

¶ Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.