• John 10:4
    The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures

    • 4 ὅταν Whenever τὰ the ἴδια own πάντα all ἐκβάλῃ, he should thrust out, ἔμπροσθεν in front αὐτῶν of them πορεύεται, he is going, καὶ and τὰ the πρόβατα sheep αὐτῷ to him ἀκολουθεῖ, is following, ὅτι because οἴδασιν they have known τὴν the φωνὴν voice αὐτοῦ· of him;

  • John Study Notes—Chapter 10
    New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition)

    • 10:4

      they know his voice: Repeated observations regarding shepherding in the Middle East confirm that sheep have the amazing ability to distinguish between the voice of their own shepherd and that of other shepherds or strangers. As Jesus indicated, shepherds would name each sheep, even when flocks were large. (Joh 10:3, 27) So from an early age, the sheep would hear the shepherd’s voice calling out their names as he guided and trained them. In addition, shepherds would use personalized sounds to distinguish themselves from other shepherds. They would teach the sheep to respond to different calls, or voice commands, in order to protect them from dangers or lead them to good pastures and water. Sheep can thus be said to know their shepherd’s unique voice, not only in the sense of identifying his voice as different from other voices but also in the sense of recognizing his tender care and protection for them individually and as a flock.