Charles Spurgeon Commentary John 10:14-15

"I am the good shepherd; and I know mine own, and mine own know me, even as the Father knoweth me, and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep." — John 10:14-15 (ASV)

I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

There is mutual knowledge between the Shepherd and the sheep, and between the Father and the Son.

I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known by my own. As the Father knows me, so I also know the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

Our translators have spoiled this passage by putting a full stop where there should not be one, and by breaking it into two verses. It should run thus: I am the good Shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known by my own as the Father knows me, and I know the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

Christ here sets forth the intimate knowledge that there is between himself and all his people—as much as there is between the Father and the Son. It is wonderful teaching, full of depth and spiritual power. As the Father knows the Son, and the Son knows the Father, so certainly Christ knows his Church, and his Church knows him, or will do so in the future.