John 10:4

KJV

And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} when {G3752} he putteth forth {G1544} his own {G2398} sheep {G4263}, he goeth {G4198} before {G1715} them {G846}, and {G2532} the sheep {G4263} follow {G190} him {G846}: for {G3754} they know {G1492} his {G846} voice {G5456}.

Complete Jewish Bible

After taking out all that are his own, he goes on ahead of them; and the sheep follow him because they recognize his voice.

Berean Standard Bible

When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.

American Standard Version

When he hath put forth all his own, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 10:4 portrays Jesus as the quintessential Shepherd, illustrating the profound, intimate relationship He shares with His followers, whom He calls "His own sheep." The verse vividly depicts Christ's active, leading role and the responsive, trusting obedience of His disciples, grounded in their deep recognition of His unique and authoritative voice. This passage underscores the nature of divine leadership and faithful discipleship within the context of Christ's care for His flock.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** John 10:4 is an integral part of Jesus' "Good Shepherd" discourse, following directly from the imagery introduced in [John 10:1-3](/john/10-1-3 "John 10:1-3 - The Shepherd and the Sheepfold"). In these preceding verses, Jesus distinguishes the true shepherd, who enters the sheepfold by the door and calls his own sheep by name, from the "thief and a robber" who climbs in another way. Verse 4 then describes the shepherd's next action: after calling his sheep out, he leads them. This sets the stage for Jesus to declare Himself the "door of the sheep" ([John 10:7](/john/10-7 "John 10:7 - Jesus, the Door of the Sheep")) and later the "Good Shepherd" who lays down His life for the sheep ([John 10:11](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - Jesus, the Good Shepherd")). The immediate context emphasizes the shepherd's personal relationship with his flock, a relationship built on recognition and trust, which contrasts sharply with the impersonal and destructive intentions of false leaders.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The imagery of shepherding was deeply familiar and profoundly significant in ancient Israel. Unlike many modern practices where sheep are driven from behind, Middle Eastern shepherds traditionally led their flocks, walking ahead of them. This practice meant the shepherd was always at the forefront, facing potential dangers first, scouting for the best pastures, and setting the pace. The sheep, in turn, developed an intimate familiarity with their shepherd's specific call, a unique tone or melody that distinguished him from all others. They were trained to respond only to their shepherd's voice, instinctively following him and refusing to follow a stranger. This cultural reality provided a powerful and relatable metaphor for Jesus to explain His relationship with His disciples, highlighting His protective leadership, personal care, and the necessity of His followers' discerning trust.

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several major theological themes within the Gospel of John and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Leadership**, portraying Jesus as the active, guiding leader who goes before His people, setting the path and ensuring their well-being. This echoes the ancient promise of God's guidance for His people, as seen in [Psalm 23:1-3](/psalm/23-1-3 "Psalm 23:1-3 - The Lord is My Shepherd"). Secondly, it emphasizes **Intimate Knowledge and Trust**, demonstrating that the sheep's ability to "know his voice" is not merely intellectual recognition but an experiential familiarity born of a deep, ongoing relationship. This theme of mutual knowledge is further developed later in the discourse, where Jesus states, "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me" ([John 10:27](/john/10-27 "John 10:27 - My Sheep Hear My Voice")). Finally, the verse underscores **Discipleship and Obedience**, presenting following Christ as a voluntary, yet essential, response to His divine call, indicative of true faith and allegiance.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **putteth forth (Greek, _ekbállō_):** This verb signifies to "eject" or "bring forth" with a sense of purposeful action. It implies a deliberate and active initiative on the part of the shepherd to lead his sheep out of the communal sheepfold into a place of pasture or safety. It's not a passive letting out, but a forceful, intentional act of separation and guidance.
* **goeth before (Greek, _poreúomai_):** This word denotes to "traverse" or "travel," emphasizing the shepherd's active movement and leadership. It highlights that the shepherd does not drive the sheep from behind, but rather leads the way, setting the path, facing potential dangers first, and providing a visible example for the sheep to follow. This illustrates Christ's exemplary and protective leadership.
* **know (Greek, _eídō_):** While often contrasted with _ginōskō_ (experiential knowledge), _eídō_ here, in the perfect tense, signifies a settled state of knowing, based on perception or recognition. The sheep "know" the shepherd's voice because they have perceived it repeatedly and accurately, leading to a firm recognition and understanding of its unique quality and authority. This knowledge is fundamental to their willingness to follow.
* **voice (Greek, _phōnḗ_):** This refers to a "tone," "sound," or "address." In this context, it is more than just an audible sound; it embodies the shepherd's distinct call, his authority, and the specific communication that the sheep have learned to associate with their true leader. It is the recognizable signal that elicits their trust and obedience.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when he putteth forth his own sheep":** This clause emphasizes the shepherd's personal ownership and active initiative. He doesn't just wait for the sheep to wander out; he purposefully brings them forth from the fold, signifying a deliberate act of leadership and care for his specific flock.
* **"he goeth before them":** This highlights the shepherd's method of leadership. He leads by example, physically preceding the sheep. This demonstrates his protective role, as he encounters any dangers or obstacles first, and his guiding role, as he shows the sheep the path they are to take.
* **"and the sheep follow him":** This describes the sheep's response to their shepherd's leadership. Their following is an act of trust and obedience, a voluntary movement in response to the recognized authority and guidance of their leader.
* **"for they know his voice":** This crucial phrase provides the underlying reason for the sheep's followship. Their obedience is not blind but is predicated on an intimate, learned recognition of their shepherd's unique and authoritative call. This "knowing" is the foundation of their trust and willingness to be led.

#### Literary Devices
The verse makes powerful use of **Metaphor**, where Jesus is implicitly presented as the Shepherd and His followers as the sheep. This central metaphor underpins the entire discourse, drawing on a familiar pastoral scene to convey profound spiritual truths about leadership, relationship, and discipleship. **Imagery** is also vividly employed, painting a picture of a Middle Eastern shepherd leading his flock, evoking sensory details of sound (the shepherd's voice) and movement (the sheep following). Furthermore, there is an implied **Contrast** between the true Shepherd, whose voice is known and followed, and the "strangers" or "thieves" mentioned in the preceding verses, whose voices the sheep would not know or follow. This contrast highlights the exclusivity and authenticity of Christ's leadership.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 10:4 powerfully articulates the nature of the believer's relationship with Christ, emphasizing divine initiative, personal intimacy, and responsive obedience. Jesus, as the ultimate Shepherd, actively leads His people, not by coercion, but by setting the example and calling them by a voice they have come to recognize through relationship. This "knowing" of His voice signifies a deep spiritual discernment, cultivated through communion with Him, which enables believers to distinguish His truth from the myriad of competing voices in the world. The sheep's voluntary following underscores that true discipleship is a willing submission to Christ's loving authority, trusting His guidance even when the path ahead is uncertain, knowing that He has already gone before.

* [Psalm 23:1-3](/psalm/23-1-3 "Psalm 23:1-3 - The Lord is My Shepherd"): "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake."
* [John 10:27](/john/10-27 "John 10:27 - My Sheep Hear My Voice"): "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me."
* [Matthew 7:24](/matthew/7-24 "Matthew 7:24 - Building on the Rock"): "Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 10:4 offers profound comfort and practical guidance for believers today. It assures us that Jesus, our Good Shepherd, continues to actively lead His people. Our spiritual well-being and direction hinge on our ability to cultivate an intimate relationship with Him, enabling us to discern and recognize His voice amidst the cacophony of the world. This discernment is not passive; it requires intentional engagement with God's Word, consistent prayer, and a heart attuned to the Holy Spirit's promptings. Just as the sheep trust their shepherd's leading, we are called to trust Christ's guidance, even when the path is unclear or challenging, knowing that He has gone before us and will never lead us astray. Our active following is a testament to our faith and a commitment to walking in His ways, finding peace and security in His perfect leadership.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I actively cultivate a relationship with Jesus that allows me to recognize and respond to His voice in my daily life?**
* **In what specific areas of my life am I currently struggling to trust Jesus's leadership and follow Him, and what steps can I take to deepen that trust?**
* **What "other voices" – whether from culture, personal desires, or false teachings – might be distracting me from hearing the Shepherd's clear call, and how can I filter them out?**

### FAQ

**Question?** Why is it significant that the shepherd "goes before" the sheep rather than driving them?

Answer: The practice of the shepherd "going before" the sheep is profoundly significant because it illustrates active, protective, and exemplary leadership. Unlike driving from behind, which can imply coercion or a lack of personal involvement, leading from the front means the shepherd faces dangers first, scouts for the best path, and provides a visible example for the sheep to follow. This perfectly portrays Christ's leadership: He does not merely issue commands from a distance but has personally traversed the path of obedience, suffering, and victory, inviting His followers to walk where He has already trod. His leadership is one of self-sacrifice and pioneering, as seen in [Hebrews 12:2](/hebrews/12-2 "Hebrews 12:2 - Looking to Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of Our Faith"), where He is described as "the author and finisher of our faith."

**Question?** How do "his own sheep" come to "know his voice" in a practical sense for believers today?

Answer: The "knowing" of the Shepherd's voice by "his own sheep" develops through an ongoing, personal, and intimate relationship. For believers today, this means cultivating a deep familiarity with Christ through consistent and devoted engagement with His Word, the Bible. As we immerse ourselves in Scripture, we learn His character, His commands, His promises, and His heart, which is His "voice." Prayer is also crucial, as it is our direct communication with Him, allowing us to listen for His guidance and promptings. The indwelling Holy Spirit also plays a vital role in enabling us to discern His voice amidst the many competing voices of the world, as He guides us into all truth, as promised in [John 14:26](/john/14-26 "John 14:26 - The Holy Spirit Teaches All Things"). This intimate familiarity allows us to recognize His truth and direction, leading to trust and obedience.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 10:4 finds its ultimate and richest fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is the embodiment of the Good Shepherd. His act of "putting forth His own sheep" and "going before them" prefigures His entire redemptive mission. He leads His flock not merely to physical pastures, but to eternal life, having Himself pioneered the way through His incarnation, sinless life, sacrificial death, and triumphant resurrection. His journey to the cross and His subsequent resurrection are the ultimate acts of "going before" His sheep, paving the way for their salvation and access to God ([Hebrews 10:19-20](/hebrews/10-19-20 "Hebrews 10:19-20 - Access to God Through Christ's Blood")). The "voice" the sheep know is not just any voice, but the very voice of God, the Word made flesh ([John 1:1-3](/john/1-1-3 "John 1:1-3 - The Word Was God")), whose authoritative call brings spiritual life and discernment. He is the Shepherd who not only leads but also lays down His life for the sheep ([John 10:11](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - Jesus, the Good Shepherd")), ensuring their eternal security. Ultimately, His leading culminates in bringing His sheep into the Father's presence, where He has gone to prepare a place for them ([John 14:2-3](/john/14-2-3 "John 14:2-3 - Jesus Prepares a Place")), demonstrating that He is the perfect Shepherd who guides His flock to their eternal home.

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

Deuteronomy 1:30

The LORD your God which goeth before you, he shall fight for you, according to all that he did for you in Egypt before your eyes;

John 10:16

And 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.

John 12:26

If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will [my] Father honour.

John 18:37

Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

1 Peter 2:21

For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

1 Peter 5:3

Neither as being lords over [God's] heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.

John 10:8

All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.