John 10:27
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
Study Note
Study Note
The Good Shepherd discourse resolves in the characteristic Johannine marks of authentic discipleship: 'My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.' The three present-tense verbs — hear, know, follow — describe a sustained relationship rather than a single event, with hearing leading to divine knowing (the most intimate personal recognition) and then to following. The assurance of verse 28 ('no one will snatch them out of my hand') grounds perseverance in divine grip rather than human resolve, making the sheep's security absolute on the shepherd's side. The verse has been foundational for Reformed theology's doctrine of the perseverance of the saints, while Arminian interpreters focus on the conditions implied by hearing and following.
Other Translations
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
according as I said to you: My sheep my voice do hear, and I know them, and they follow me,
My sheep give ear to my voice, and I have knowledge of them, and they come after me:
Cross References
These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb …
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will …
Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou …
And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come …
But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, …
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up …
And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
But if any man love God, the same is known of him.
Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice,