King James Version

What Does John 10:16 Mean?

John 10:16 in the King James Version says “And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shal...” — study this verse from John chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.”

John 10:16 · KJV

Context

14

I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.

15

As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

16

And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

17

Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.

18

No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold—Jesus looks beyond Israel to the Gentiles who will be brought into His flock. The Greek ἄλλα πρόβατα (alla probata, "other sheep") refers to believers from every nation, not yet incorporated into the covenant community. The phrase "not of this fold" (οὐκ... ἐκ τῆς αὐλῆς ταύτης/ouk ek tēs aulēs tautēs) distinguishes Jewish believers ("this fold") from Gentile converts, anticipating the mystery Paul would later articulate: Jews and Gentiles united in one body (Ephesians 2:11-22, 3:6).

Them also I must bring—The divine necessity "must" (δεῖ/dei) reveals this is no afterthought but God's eternal purpose. The verb "bring" (ἀγαγεῖν/agagein) is the same word used of leading sheep, emphasizing Christ's active role in gathering His elect from all nations. This demolishes Jewish presumption that salvation belonged exclusively to Abraham's physical descendants.

They shall hear my voice—The same recognition that marks Jewish believers (verse 27) extends to Gentiles. Spiritual hearing transcends ethnic boundaries. The sheep know the Shepherd's voice whether they come from Jerusalem or the ends of the earth.

There shall be one fold, and one shepherd—The Greek reads "one flock" (μία ποίμνη/mia poimnē), not "one fold." The distinction matters: not uniformity of culture or ethnicity (one fold) but unity in Christ (one flock under one Shepherd). Jew and Gentile retain cultural distinctions but share one Lord, one faith, one baptism (Ephesians 4:4-6). This verse prophesies the church's catholicity—universal in scope, united in Christ, transcending all human divisions.

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Historical & Cultural Context

First-century Judaism maintained rigid separation between Jew and Gentile. Gentiles were "dogs," "uncircumcised," outside God's covenant. The temple had a Court of the Gentiles beyond which non-Jews could not pass under penalty of death. Pharisees avoided Gentile contact to maintain ritual purity. Peter himself initially resisted eating with Gentiles (Acts 10-11, Galatians 2:11-14).

Jesus's declaration that "other sheep" would join the Jewish fold was revolutionary, even scandalous. His audience would have understood the implications: the Messiah's kingdom extends beyond Israel to embrace all nations. This fulfilled Old Testament prophecies that Gentiles would stream to Zion (Isaiah 2:2-3, 49:6, 60:3) and that God's servant would be "a light to the Gentiles" (Isaiah 49:6).

The early church struggled mightily with this reality. Acts 15 records the Jerusalem Council's debate over whether Gentile converts must become Jewish (circumcision, dietary laws) to be saved. Paul's letters repeatedly defend salvation by grace through faith apart from works of the law, demolishing ethnic privilege. The vision of one flock under one Shepherd took decades to permeate the church's consciousness.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Jesus's promise of "one flock" challenge modern tribalism, nationalism, and ethnic division within the church?
  2. What does it mean that Christ "must" bring the other sheep—how does this reveal both divine sovereignty in salvation and the certainty of God's purposes?
  3. In what ways might contemporary churches create separate "folds" (cultural, socioeconomic, racial) rather than embracing the unity of "one flock" under Christ?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 26 words
καὶ1 of 26

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἄλλα2 of 26

“other”

G243

"else," i.e., different (in many applications)

πρόβατα3 of 26

“sheep”

G4263

something that walks forward (a quadruped), i.e., (specially), a sheep (literally or figuratively)

ἔχω4 of 26

“I have”

G2192

to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio

ἃ5 of 26

“which”

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

οὐκ6 of 26

“not”

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

ἔστιν7 of 26

“are”

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

ἐκ8 of 26

“of”

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

τῆς9 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

αὐλῆς10 of 26

“fold”

G833

a yard (as open to the wind); by implication, a mansion

ταύτης·11 of 26
G3778

the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)

κἀκεῖνα12 of 26

“them also”

G2548

likewise that (or those)

με13 of 26

“I”

G3165

me

δεῖ14 of 26

“must”

G1163

also deon deh-on'; neuter active participle of the same; both used impersonally; it is (was, etc.) necessary (as binding)

ἀγαγεῖν15 of 26

“bring”

G71

properly, to lead; by implication, to bring, drive, (reflexively) go, (specially) pass (time), or (figuratively) induce

καὶ16 of 26

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τῆς17 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

φωνῆς18 of 26

“voice”

G5456

a tone (articulate, bestial or artificial); by implication, an address (for any purpose), saying or language

μου19 of 26

“my”

G3450

of me

ἀκούσουσιν20 of 26

“they shall hear”

G191

to hear (in various senses)

καὶ21 of 26

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

γενήσεται22 of 26

“there shall be”

G1096

to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)

εἷς23 of 26

“and one”

G1520

one

ποίμνη24 of 26

“fold”

G4167

a flock (literally or figuratively)

εἷς25 of 26

“and one”

G1520

one

ποιμήν26 of 26

“shepherd”

G4166

a shepherd (literally or figuratively)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of John. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

John 10:16 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to John 10:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 56:8John 11:521 Peter 2:25Ezekiel 34:23Ephesians 2:13-18Ezekiel 37:24

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