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John 10:27-28

 BIBLE VERSE

John 10:27-28

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me.

John 10:27-28

WHAT DOES IT SAY? SUMMARIZE THE TEXT IN YOUR OWN WORDS.

  • Jesus describes the identifying mark of His followers: My sheep listen to my voice (27a).

  • Jesus confirms the intimate relationship He has with these followers: I know them (27b).

  • Jesus defines the discipleship response expected from His followers: and they follow me (27c).

  • Jesus details the gift He provides to His followers: I give them eternal life (28a).

  • Jesus provides the first guarantee of their permanent security: and they will never perish (28b).

  • Jesus provides the second guarantee of their permanent security, confirming His power: No one can snatch them away from me (28c).

WHAT QUESTIONS DO I HAVE ABOUT WHAT IT SAYS?

A) HISTORICAL CONTEXT

  • Who were the people Jesus was speaking to in this passage (Jn 10:24), and what hostile questions were they pressing Him with that prompted this definitive answer?

    B) CULTURAL CONTEXT

  • What does the imagery of the shepherd and sheep convey in first-century Israel regarding the relationship between the leader and the flock? How was the shepherd expected to protect his sheep from predators?

    C) THEOLOGICAL CONTEXT

  • What is the difference between "life" and "eternal life" as Jesus uses the term here? Does "never perish" mean Christians won't experience physical death?

  • How does this verse relate to the doctrine of eternal security (the preservation of the saints)? What is the basis of this security—is it the sheep's listening, or the shepherd's giving and keeping?

    D) LITERARY CONTEXT

  • How does the promise that "No one can snatch them away from me" contrast with the actions of the "thief and robber" that Jesus described earlier in this same chapter (Jn 10:1, 10)?

    E) LIFE APPLICATION

  • If security is guaranteed by Jesus, how do I practically confirm that I am His sheep (i.e., that I am listening to His voice and following Him) and not deceiving myself?

WHAT DOES THE TEXT MEAN?

The combined verses of John 10:27-28 are an absolute declaration of the unbreakable relationship between Jesus and His true followers, founded entirely on His power and provision.

A) UNDERSTANDING THE PROPOSITIONS MADE IN THE TEXT

  • The relationship is active and reciprocal: The text proposes that eternal security is evidenced by a dynamic relationship where the sheep (believers) listen and follow, and the Shepherd (Jesus) knows and gives life.

  • Eternal life is an irreversible gift: The gift Jesus provides—eternal life—is qualified by the guarantee that the recipient will never perish. This proposition confirms the finality and permanence of salvation.

    B) WHAT THE TEXT MEANS (Answers to Questions)

  • Jesus was speaking primarily to the Jewish leaders who demanded He state plainly whether He was the Messiah (Historical Context). His answer is a definitive "yes," but He uses the metaphor of the shepherd to identify the true believers as those who follow Him, not necessarily those who hold positions of religious authority.

  • In the ancient world, the shepherd risked his own life to protect his flock from thieves and wolves (Cultural Context). Jesus asserts that He is not just a brave shepherd, but a powerful one whose hand is a place of absolute, unbreachable security.

  • Eternal life (Theological Context) is not merely endless existence, but a new quality of life, which begins now—a participation in the life of God Himself. "Never perish" refers to our spiritual destiny—we will not face eternal separation from God. Though believers still experience physical death, their souls and future resurrection are eternally guaranteed in Christ.

  • The snatching away contrasts with the thief (Literary Context) whose goal is to steal, kill, and destroy. Jesus guarantees that while destruction is the enemy's intent, the Shepherd's grip is stronger than all external and internal threats combined.

HOW DOES THE TEXT APPLY TO ME?

This verse encourages me to grow in my relationship with God by cultivating listening obedience and resting in unshakeable peace.

It encourages me to make a daily, intentional commitment to listen to Jesus' voice through Scripture and prayer, treating it as the highest authority in my life. It urges me to follow where He leads, even when the path is difficult or scary. The greatest encouragement is the certainty of eternal life. This reality must anchor my soul against the anxiety of failure. When I feel weak or when the world threatens to snatch away my hope, I must simply remind myself that my salvation is not held by my weak grip on Christ, but by His unyielding grip on me. I am secure, and that security gives me the courage to obey.

PRAYER/RESPONSE

Father, my heart is often troubled by the fear of failure and the gnawing doubt that I might somehow lose my way or disqualify myself. I confess my anxiety that the trials of this world will finally break me or snatch my faith away.

But I lift my eyes to You, Jesus, the Good Shepherd. Thank You for the gift of eternal life that You have given me. I choose to trust today that Your knowledge of me and Your hold on me are the only guarantees I need. Help me to tune out the clamor of the world and the fear in my heart so I can clearly listen to Your voice and follow You, resting in the absolute peace that no one can snatch me away from Your hand. Amen.

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