International Journal of Biblical Research Studies (IJBRS)
Published February 28, 2026 | Version v1
Journal article Open

The Biblical Meaning of the Good Shepherd in John 10:1–11: A Scriptural Review and Faith-Theological Analysis

Authors/Creators

  • 1. The Ark Theological College, TATC, Nigeria-Abuja

Description

The purpose of this paper is to demystify the biblical meaning of “Good Shepherd” as used by our Lord Jesus Christ in the book of John 10:1-11. This is important because the study will disabuse the misconceptions of the concept and unravel the qualities imbedded in the metaphor, I am the Good Shepherd as claimed by Jesus. Thus, this paper adopts a faith-theological methodology, employing scriptural review, critical exegesis, and an explanatory model. Faith theology is regarded as a theological inquiry that is built on Scripture and faith as an epistemological tool to uncover divine truths, and divine knowledge is revealed and received through faith, not empirical proof. This involves Scripture, as divine revelation, the ultimate source of truth, interpreted by faith rather than experimentation or observation. The researcher made a thorough scriptural and faith-theological analysis of John 10:11 in this paper. The findings of this study reveal that the contemporary leaders (religious and secular alike) should see their positions as simply that of service and sacrifice rather than one of exploitation and benefits. The paper concludes with some recommendations that will help to expand the frontiers of knowledge in biblical-theological studies and transform the church and the entire society.

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https://www.christopress.com/home-ijbrs/
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References

  • Bruce Metzger. A Textual Commentary on The Greek New Testament, New York: United Bible Societies, 1971.
  • C. K. Barrett. The Gospel According to St John. An Introduction With Commentary and Notes on The Greek Text. SPCK, London, 1967.
  • Colin Brown. The New International Dictionary of the New Testament. Regency Reference Library (vol. 2), 1971.
  • Colin G. Kruse, John. An Introduction and Commentary in Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, InterVersity Press, Downers Grove, IL, vol. 4, 2003
  • Gail R. O'Day. John in the New Interpreter's Bible, Abingdon Press, Nashville, TN, vol. 9 ed., 1996.
  • Gerhard Kittel, et.tal. Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1995.
  • Harper Collins Bible Dictionary. "Shepherd." Theological Publications, Bangalore, 2009.
  • Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary. "Shepherd," Holman Bible Publishers, Tennesse, 1998.
  • Ilesanmi, Dele A. "Faith Theology as a Non-Empirical Approach to Understanding Divine Truth: A Study of Abstracted and Concreted Realities" in International Journal of Biblical Studies, 2025, vol. 1(1).
  • Ilesanmi, Dele A. "The Imperative of Scriptural Review in Biblical Research Studies: A Proposal for Paradigm Shift from Literature Review" in International Journal of Biblical Studies, 2025, vol. 1(1).
  • Raymond E. Brown (1966), The Gospel According to John, Doubleday Press, New York, NY, 1996.
  • Rudolf Bultmann. The Gospel of John: A Commentary, Westminster, Philadelphia, 1971.
  • Thomas Brodie. The Gospel According to John, Oxford University Press, New York, 1973.