⁷ Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am^(A) the gate^(B) for the sheep. ⁸ All who have come before me^(C) are thieves and robbers,^(D) but the sheep have not listened to them. ⁹ I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.^[a] They will come in and go out, and find pasture. ¹⁰ The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life,^(E) and have it to the full.^(F)

¹¹ “I am^(G) the good shepherd.^(H) The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.^{(I) 12} The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away.^(J) Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. ¹³ The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.

¹⁴ “I am the good shepherd;^(K) I know my sheep^(L) and my sheep know me— ¹⁵ just as the Father knows me and I know the Father^(M)—and I lay down my life for the sheep.^{(N) 16} I have other sheep^(O) that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock^(P) and one shepherd.^{(Q) 17} The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life^(R)—only to take it up again. ¹⁸ No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord.^(S) I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”^(T)

¹⁹ The Jews who heard these words were again divided.^{(U) 20} Many of them said, “He is demon-possessed^(V) and raving mad.^(W) Why listen to him?”

²¹ But others said, “These are not the sayings of a man possessed by a demon.^(X) Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”^(Y)

Further Conflict Over Jesus’ Claims

²² Then came the Festival of Dedication^[b] at Jerusalem. It was winter, ²³ and Jesus was in the temple courts walking in Solomon’s Colonnade.^{(Z) 24} The Jews^(AA) who were there gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.”^(AB)

²⁵ Jesus answered, “I did tell you,^(AC) but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me,^{(AD) 26} but you do not believe because you are not my sheep.^(AE)

¹⁶ Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”^(A)

¹⁷ The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?”^(A) He said, “Lord, you know all things;^(B) you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.^(C)

Benediction and Final Greetings

²⁰ Now may the God of peace,^(A) who through the blood of the eternal covenant^(B) brought back from the dead^(C) our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep,^(D)

² Be shepherds of God’s flock^(A) that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be;^(B) not pursuing dishonest gain,^(C) but eager to serve;