The Good Shepherd

The Good Shepherd is one of Jesus's most beloved self-designations, drawn from John 10:11–18: "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." It identifies Jesus as the fulfillment of the shepherd imagery that runs throughout the Old Testament as a description of God and the ideal king (CCC 754).

The Old Testament Background

Shepherding is one of the dominant images of divine care in the Old Testament. Psalm 23 begins: "The Lord is my shepherd." God promises through Ezekiel: "I myself will tend my sheep" (Ezekiel 34:15), rebuking Israel's faithless shepherds (leaders). The Messiah is promised as the one true shepherd who will gather the scattered flock (Ezekiel 34:23; CCC 754).

Jesus as the Good Shepherd

Jesus claimed to be this fulfillment: "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me" (John 10:14). Three features distinguish the Good Shepherd: he knows each sheep by name; he calls them and they recognize his voice; and he lays down his life for them — freely, not under compulsion. This last point — voluntary self-sacrifice — is the heart of the image (CCC 754).

The Shepherd and the Church

The image of the shepherd became central to Christian understanding of pastoral leadership. The Pope's title "Pastor" (shepherd), the bishop's crozier (shepherd's staff), and the priest's pastoral role all derive from this imagery. All pastoral authority in the Church participates in Christ's own shepherding (CCC 896).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the parable of the lost sheep? In Luke 15:3–7, Jesus describes a shepherd who leaves ninety-nine sheep to search for the one that is lost — and rejoices when it is found. This parable reveals God's preferential love for the lost and his relentless pursuit of every single soul (CCC 605).