The Shepherd and the Flock

10 “What I’m about to tell you is true. What if someone does not enter the sheep pen through the gate but climbs in another way? That person is a thief and a robber. 2The one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3The gatekeeper opens the gate for him. The sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4When he has brought all of his own sheep out, he goes on ahead of them. His sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5But they will never follow a stranger. In fact, they will run away from him. They don’t recognize a stranger’s voice.”

6Jesus used this story. But the Jews who were there didn’t understand what he was telling them.

7So Jesus said again, “What I’m about to tell you is true. I am like a gate for the sheep. 8All those who ever came before me were thieves and robbers. But the sheep did not listen to them. 9I’m like a gate. Anyone who enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out. And he will find plenty of food. 10The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so they can have life. I want them to have it in the fullest possible way.

11“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives his life for the sheep. 12The hired man is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when the hired man sees the wolf coming, he leaves the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13The man runs away because he is a hired man. He does not care about the sheep.

14“I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep, and my sheep know me. 15They know me just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I give my life for the sheep.

16“I have other sheep that do not belong to this sheep pen. I must bring them in too. They also will listen to my voice. Then there will be one flock and one shepherd.

17“The reason my Father loves me is that I give up my life. But I will take it back again. 18No one takes it from me. I give it up myself. I have the authority to give it up. And I have the authority to take it back again. I received this command from my Father.”

19After Jesus spoke these words, the Jews again could not agree with each other. 20Many of them said, “He is controlled by a demon. He has gone crazy! Why should we listen to him?”

21But others said, “A person controlled by a demon does not say things like this. Can a demon open the eyes of someone who is blind?”

The Jews Do Not Believe

22Then came the Feast of Hanukkah at Jerusalem. It was winter. 23Jesus was in the temple area walking in Solomon’s Porch. 24The Jews gathered around him. They said, “How long will you keep us waiting? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.”

25Jesus answered, “I did tell you. But you do not believe. The kinds of things I do in my Father’s name speak for me. 26But you do not believe, because you are not my sheep.

27“My sheep listen to my voice. I know them, and they follow me. 28I give them eternal life, and they will never die. No one can steal them out of my hand. 29My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than anyone. No one can steal them out of my Father’s hand. 30I and the Father are one.”

31Again the Jews picked up stones to kill him.

32But Jesus said to them, “I have shown you many miracles from the Father. Which one of these are you throwing stones at me for?”

33“We are not throwing stones at you for any of these,” replied the Jews. “We are stoning you for saying a very evil thing. You are only a man. But you claim to be God.”

34Jesus answered them, “Didn’t God say in your Law, ‘I have said you are gods’? (Psalm 82:6) 35We know that Scripture is always true. God spoke to some people and called them ‘gods.’ 36If that is true, what about the One the Father set apart as his very own and sent into the world? Why do you charge me with saying a very evil thing? Is it because I said, ‘I am God’s Son’?

37“Don’t believe me unless I do what my Father does. 38But what if I do it? Even if you don’t believe me, believe the miracles. Then you will know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.”

39Again they tried to arrest him. But he escaped from them.

40Then Jesus went back across the Jordan River. He went to the place where John had been baptizing in the early days. There he stayed. 41Many people came to him. They said, “John never did a miraculous sign. But everything he said about this man was true.” 42And in that place many believed in Jesus.