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10 The thief approaches with malicious intent, looking to steal, slaughter, and destroy; I came to give life with joy and abundance.

11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep in His care.

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10 The thief comes only to steal and kill[a] and destroy; I have come so that they may have life, and may have it abundantly.[b]

11 “I am the good[c] shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life[d] for the sheep.

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Footnotes

  1. John 10:10 tn That is, “to slaughter” (in reference to animals).
  2. John 10:10 tn That is, more than one would normally expect or anticipate.
  3. John 10:11 tn Or “model” (see R. E. Brown, John [AB], 1:386, who argues that “model” is a more exact translation of καλός [kalos] here).
  4. John 10:11 tn Or “The good shepherd dies willingly.”sn Jesus speaks openly of his vicarious death twice in this section (John 10:11, 15). Note the contrast: The thief takes the life of the sheep (10:10), the good shepherd lays down his own life for the sheep. Jesus is not speaking generally here, but specifically: He has his own substitutionary death on the cross in view. For a literal shepherd with a literal flock, the shepherd’s death would have spelled disaster for the sheep; in this instance it spells life for them (Compare the worthless shepherd of Zech 11:17, by contrast).

10 The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.

11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep.

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