Meaning, commentary and cross references
John 10:27
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”In other translations
KJV · King James Version
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
NIV · New International Version
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
WEB · World English Bible
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
What does John 10:27 mean?
John Gill · Exposition of the Entire Bible, on John 10:27
My sheep hear my voice,.... The voice of Christ in his Gospel, both externally and internally; See Gill on John 10:4, See Gill on John 10:16; and since therefore these Jews did not, it was a plain case they were not of his sheep: and I know them; See Gill on John 10:14; but Christ knew not these as the elect of God, or as the Father's gift to him, and therefore they could not be his sheep: and they follow me; both in the exercise of grace, and in the discharge of duty, and whithersoever he the good shepherd leads them; See Gill on John 10:3, See Gill on John 10:4. But now, whereas these Jews did not follow Christ, but turned their backs on him, and rejected him, it was notorious that they…
John Gill, Exposition of the Entire Bible (1746–63). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Matthew Henry · Commentary on the Whole Bible, on John 10:22–38
First, Our Lord Jesus takes cognizance of his sheep: They hear my voice, and I know them. He distinguishes them from others (Ti2 2:19), has a particular regard to every individual (Psa 34:6); he knows their wants and desires, knows their souls in adversity, where to find them, and what to do for them. He knows others afar off, but knows them near at hand. Secondly, He has provided a happiness for them, suited to them: I give unto them eternal life, Joh 10:28. 1.
Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
John Calvin · Commentaries, on John 10:19–30
27. My sheep hear my voice. He proves by an argument drawn from contraries, that they are not sheep, because they do not obey the Gospel. For God effectually calls all whom he has elected, so that the sheep of Christ are proved by their faith.
John Calvin, Commentaries (Calvin Translation Society English text). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Context: John 10:24–30 (WEB)
24The Jews therefore came around him and said to him, “How long will you hold us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” 25Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you don’t believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name, these testify about me. 26But you don’t believe, because you are not of my sheep, as I told you. 27My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28I give eternal life to them. They will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29My Father who has given them to me is greater than all. No one is able to snatch them out of my Father’s hand. 30I and the Father are one.”
Cross references
- John 10:16
I have other sheep which are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will hear my voice. They will become one flock with one shepherd.
- John 10:14
I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and I’m known by my own;
- Revelation 3:20
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, then I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with me.
- 1 Corinthians 8:3
But anyone who loves God is known by him.
- John 10:3–4
The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
- Hebrews 3:7
Therefore, even as the Holy Spirit says, “Today if you will hear his voice,
- John 5:25
Most certainly I tell you, the hour comes, and now is, when the dead will hear the Son of God’s voice; and those who hear will live.
- John 8:12
Again, therefore, Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”