John 10:26

KJV

But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G235} ye {G5210} believe {G4100} not {G3756}, because {G1063} ye are {G2075} not {G3756} of {G1537} my {G1699} sheep {G4263}, as {G2531} I said {G2036} unto you {G5213}.

Complete Jewish Bible

but the reason you don’t trust is that you are not included among my sheep.

Berean Standard Bible

But because you are not My sheep, you refuse to believe.

American Standard Version

But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Jesus directly addresses the persistent unbelief of His Jewish interlocutors, explaining that their inability to accept His claims stems from the fundamental truth that they are not among His chosen "sheep." This statement, delivered within the broader discourse on the Good Shepherd, underscores the spiritual distinction between those who belong to Christ and those who do not, highlighting that true belief is rooted in a prior, divine relationship rather than merely intellectual assent or external evidence.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** [John 10:26](/john/10-26 "John 10:26 - The Unbelief of the Jews") is situated within Jesus' extended discourse on the Good Shepherd, which begins in [John 10:1](/john/10-1 "John 10:1 - The Parable of the Sheepfold") and continues through [John 10:30](/john/10-30 "John 10:30 - Jesus and the Father are One"). Prior to this verse, Jesus has already established His identity as the "door of the sheep" ([John 10:7](/john/10-7 "John 10:7 - Jesus is the Door")) and the "Good Shepherd" who lays down His life for His sheep ([John 10:11](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - The Good Shepherd")). The immediate context is a direct confrontation with Jewish leaders at the Feast of Dedication, who demand, "How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly" ([John 10:24](/john/10-24 "John 10:24 - Jews Question Jesus")). Jesus' response in verse 25 points to His works as testimony, and then [John 10:26](/john/10-26 "John 10:26 - The Unbelief of the Jews") provides the ultimate reason for their unbelief, setting the stage for His subsequent promises to His sheep in [John 10:27-29](/john/10-27-29 "John 10:27-29 - Jesus' Sheep and Eternal Security").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah) was a winter festival commemorating the rededication of the Temple by Judas Maccabeus in 164 BC after its desecration by Antiochus IV Epiphanes. This setting is significant because it highlights the Jewish people's longing for a deliverer and their strong nationalistic hopes, often intertwined with messianic expectations. The imagery of a shepherd and sheep was profoundly resonant in ancient Israel, a predominantly agrarian society. Leaders, from kings like David ([Psalm 78:70-72](/psalms/78-70-72 "Psalm 78:70-72 - David, the Shepherd King")) to prophets like Ezekiel ([Ezekiel 34](/ezekiel/34 "Ezekiel 34 - God's Judgment on the Shepherds of Israel")), were often depicted as shepherds, and the people as their flock. Jesus' use of this metaphor would have immediately evoked these familiar roles, but His claim to be the *Good* Shepherd who *owns* the sheep and *lays down His life* for them ([John 10:11](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - The Good Shepherd")) directly challenged the prevailing understanding of leadership and messianic identity, particularly among the religious elite who saw themselves as the rightful shepherds of Israel.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes in John's Gospel. Firstly, it emphasizes the **nature of belief and unbelief**, asserting that unbelief is not merely a lack of information but a spiritual condition rooted in one's relationship (or lack thereof) with Christ. Secondly, it highlights the **sovereignty of God** in salvation, implying a divine election or pre-ordained belonging to Christ's flock, as further elaborated in [John 6:44](/john/6-44 "John 6:44 - No One Can Come Unless the Father Draws Him"). Thirdly, the theme of **spiritual discernment** is prominent; only those who are "of my sheep" possess the spiritual capacity to hear and recognize Jesus' voice, a concept Jesus also touched upon in [John 8:47](/john/8-47 "John 8:47 - Hearing God's Words"). Finally, it reinforces the **intimate and exclusive relationship** between Jesus and His true followers, characterized by mutual knowledge and eternal security, as detailed in [John 10:14](/john/10-14 "John 10:14 - Jesus Knows His Sheep") and [John 10:27-28](/john/10-27-28 "John 10:27-28 - Jesus' Sheep Hear His Voice and Have Eternal Life").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **believe (Greek, _pisteúō'_):** From G4100, meaning "to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e. credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to Christ)." The present tense of "believe not" (οὐ πιστεύετε) signifies a continuous state of unbelief, not a momentary lapse. It indicates a persistent refusal to place trust or reliance upon Jesus, particularly concerning His identity and claims.
* **because (Greek, _gár'_):** From G1063, a primary particle used to assign a reason, explanation, or intensification. Here, it introduces the causal clause, providing the definitive reason for their unbelief. It's not that they *cannot* believe, but that their spiritual disposition—not being "of my sheep"—is the *reason* they *do not* believe.
* **my sheep (Greek, _emós próbaton'_):** Composed of G1699 (_emós_), meaning "my" or "mine (own)," indicating possession, and G4263 (_próbaton_), meaning "a sheep (literally or figuratively)." This phrase emphasizes a profound, intimate, and exclusive belonging. To be "my sheep" signifies a spiritual reality of being known by, belonging to, and being under the care of Jesus, the Good Shepherd. This is a spiritual identity that precedes and enables true belief.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But ye believe not,"**: This clause serves as a direct and stark accusation, highlighting the persistent and active state of unbelief among Jesus' Jewish audience. The "but" (G235, _allá_) introduces a strong contrast to the implied expectation that they *should* believe given the evidence of His words and works. Their unbelief is not passive but a deliberate rejection.
* **"because ye are not of my sheep,"**: This is the core explanatory clause, introduced by "because" (G1063, _gár_). Jesus reveals the fundamental reason for their unbelief: they do not belong to His spiritual flock. This implies a spiritual distinction, a pre-existing relationship with Him that enables recognition and acceptance of His truth. Their unbelief is a symptom of their spiritual alienation, not a lack of sufficient proof.
* **"as I said unto you."**: This concluding phrase refers back to Jesus' earlier teachings within this very discourse, particularly His descriptions of His sheep in [John 10:3-5](/john/10-3-5 "John 10:3-5 - The Sheep Hear the Shepherd's Voice") and [John 10:14](/john/10-14 "John 10:14 - Jesus Knows His Sheep"). He had already explained the characteristics of His sheep—they hear His voice, follow Him, and are known by Him. By stating "as I said unto you," Jesus reminds them that He has already laid out the criteria for belonging to His flock, and their current state of unbelief confirms they do not meet those criteria.

#### Literary Devices
[John 10:26](/john/10-26 "John 10:26 - The Unbelief of the Jews") employs several potent literary devices. The most prominent is **Metaphor**, specifically the **Shepherd-Sheep Metaphor**, which permeates the entire chapter. Jesus consistently portrays Himself as the caring Shepherd and His followers as His sheep, a familiar and deeply resonant image in agrarian Israel. This metaphor highlights the intimate, protective, and proprietary relationship between Jesus and those who truly belong to Him. The verse also utilizes **Direct Address** ("ye believe not," "unto you"), making Jesus' statement a personal and confronting declaration to His audience. There is a clear **Contrast** established between "my sheep" and those who "believe not," underscoring a fundamental spiritual divide. Furthermore, the verse functions as an **Explanatory Statement**, providing the underlying reason for the Jewish leaders' unbelief, moving beyond mere observation to a profound theological explanation of spiritual identity and its implications for faith.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
[John 10:26](/john/10-26 "John 10:26 - The Unbelief of the Jews") is a pivotal theological statement, revealing that genuine belief in Jesus is not merely a human act of intellectual assent but flows from a prior, divine relationship. It underscores the concept of spiritual election and the sovereign work of God in drawing individuals to Himself. Those who are "of my sheep" are those whom the Father has given to the Son ([John 6:37](/john/6-37 "John 6:37 - All That the Father Gives Me Will Come")), enabling them to hear and respond to Jesus' voice. This verse challenges the notion that unbelief is solely due to insufficient evidence, instead pointing to a spiritual inability or unwillingness rooted in one's spiritual disposition. It highlights that belonging to Christ's flock is a prerequisite for, and not merely a consequence of, true faith.

* [John 6:44](/john/6-44 "No One Can Come Unless the Father Draws Him")
* [John 8:47](/john/8-47 "He Who Is Of God Hears God's Words")
* [1 John 4:6](/1_john/4-6 "We Are of God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[John 10:26](/john/10-26 "John 10:26 - The Unbelief of the Jews") serves as a profound call to introspection, urging us to examine the foundation of our own faith. It prompts us to consider whether our belief is merely intellectual or if it stems from a true, intimate relationship with Jesus, the Good Shepherd. If we genuinely hear His voice, follow His leading, and trust in His provision, then we have the blessed assurance of being among His sheep, known by Him and eternally secure in His hand ([John 10:27-28](/john/10-27-28 "John 10:27-28 - Jesus' Sheep and Eternal Life")). Conversely, for those who struggle with persistent unbelief or resistance to Christ's claims, this verse suggests that the issue may lie deeper than a lack of evidence. It points to a spiritual disconnect, a need for a heart transformed by God's grace, enabling one to recognize and accept the truth of who Jesus is. Our ability to discern and embrace spiritual truth is intrinsically linked to our spiritual posture and our belonging to Christ's flock.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does it mean for me to truly "hear" Jesus' voice in my life, and how does that hearing manifest in my actions and beliefs?**
* **How does the concept of being "of my sheep" challenge or affirm my understanding of salvation and divine election?**
* **In what ways might my own spiritual disposition or relationship with Jesus affect my ability to believe or understand His truths?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper sense of belonging to Christ's flock and a more profound trust in Him as my Good Shepherd?**

### FAQ
**What does Jesus mean by "ye are not of my sheep"?**

Answer: When Jesus says, "ye are not of my sheep," He is explaining that their unbelief is not due to a lack of clear teaching or miraculous signs on His part, but because they do not belong to His spiritual flock. In the context of [John 10](/john/10 "John 10 - The Good Shepherd"), Jesus describes His sheep as those who hear His voice, follow Him, and are known by Him ([John 10:27](/john/10-27 "John 10:27 - Jesus' Sheep Hear His Voice")). Therefore, to "not be of my sheep" means to lack this intimate, Spirit-enabled relationship with Him that allows one to recognize and respond to His divine authority and truth. It implies a spiritual condition where one is not drawn by the Father to the Son ([John 6:44](/john/6-44 "John 6:44 - No One Can Come Unless the Father Draws Him")) and thus remains outside the fold of true believers.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[John 10:26](/john/10-26 "John 10:26 - The Unbelief of the Jews"), while a statement of judgment against unbelief, profoundly points to Christ as the ultimate and exclusive Shepherd of God's people. The very concept of "my sheep" finds its fulfillment in Jesus, who embodies the ideal shepherd prophesied in the Old Testament, unlike the failed shepherds of Israel ([Ezekiel 34:23](/ezekiel/34-23 "Ezekiel 34:23 - God Will Raise Up One Shepherd, David")). Jesus is not merely a good leader, but the divine Shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep ([John 10:11](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - The Good Shepherd")), thereby purchasing them with His own blood and making them truly His own. This act of ultimate sacrifice on the cross is the means by which a lost humanity can become "His sheep," being brought into the fold through faith in Him. The New Testament consistently portrays Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")) and as the great Shepherd of the sheep, through whom the eternal covenant is enacted ([Hebrews 13:20-21](/hebrews/13-20-21 "Hebrews 13:20-21 - The God of Peace")). Thus, to be "of my sheep" is to be one redeemed by Christ, indwelt by His Spirit, and eternally secured in His hand, a reality made possible only through His atoning work and ongoing pastoral care.

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

John 8:47

He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear [them] not, because ye are not of God.

John 10:27

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

John 6:37

All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

2 Corinthians 4:3

But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

2 Corinthians 4:4

In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

John 6:44

No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

John 6:45

It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.