John 10:11-21 | What's the connection?

The language used in this passage is very reminiscent of some Old Testament passages that would have drawn the readers attention. Passages like Jeremiah 23 condemns the shepherds that have scattered the sheep and poorly cared for the flock. Ezekiel 34 is a passage that stands out significantly with the language that Jesus is using. There is the condemnation of the shepherds who are failing and how the Lord is the true Shepherd that brings the flock back together and restores them. He protects the sheep from beasts and provides them the sustenance they need.

The typology that Jesus is demonstrating is that He is the True Shepherd that is gathering the sheep. John is using this to further His point of who Jesus is. Jesus is the fulfillment of these things, and the language ties in Jesus' deity as well. This lends to the language being total as well. There is not another who would gather the Lord's flock. They belong to Jesus. They know His voice and follow His instruction.

Jesus drawing attention to this analogy further condemns the Pharisees. They are the irresponsible shepherds that Jeremiah 23 and Ezekiel 34 condemns. More than this being a personal vendetta from Jesus to the Pharisees, this is a war of ideology. It is theology against theology. It is the Spirit versus the Law (as the Pharisees took it). What the Pharisees were testifying was causing the sheep to scatter. It led the sheep away from the Shepherd. Now the Shepherd is there and gathering His sheep back. When the ideology is called into question, it is no wonder why the people began accusing Jesus of having demons. They saw what Jesus was saying as dangerous to their own agenda.

What connections are you making?