What does the Bible say about sheep?

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

• Psalms 100:3

  Know that Yahweh, he is God. It is he who has made us, and we are his. We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

• Luke 15:4-7

  [4] "Which of you men, if you had one hundred sheep, and lost one of them, wouldn't leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one that was lost, until he found it? [5] When he has found it, he carries it on his shoulders, rejoicing. [6] When he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!' [7] I tell you that even so there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance.

• John 10:11

  I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

• Matthew 9:36

  But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and scattered, like sheep without a shepherd.

• Psalms 23:1-6

  [1] > Yahweh is my shepherd: I shall lack nothing. [2] He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. [3] He restores my soul. He guides me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. [4] Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. [5] You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil. My cup runs over. [6] Surely goodness and loving kindness shall follow me all the days of my life, And I shall dwell in Yahweh's house forever.

• Isaiah 53:6

  All we like sheep have gone astray; everyone has turned to his own way; and Yahweh has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

• John 10:1-16

  [1] "Most assuredly, I tell you, one who doesn't enter by the door into the sheep fold, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. [2] But one who enters in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. [3] The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name, and leads them out. [4] Whenever he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. [5] They will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him; for they don't know the voice of strangers." [6] Jesus spoke this parable to them, but they didn't understand what he was telling them. [7] Jesus therefore said to them again, "Most assuredly, I tell you, I am the sheep's door. [8] All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep didn't listen to them. [9] I am the door. If anyone enters in by me, he will be saved, and will go in and go out, and will find pasture. [10] The thief only comes to steal, kill, and destroy. I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly. [11] I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. [12] He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who doesn't own the sheep, sees the wolf coming, leaves the sheep, and flees. The wolf snatches the sheep, and scatters them. [13] The hired hand flees because he is a hired hand, and doesn't care for the sheep. [14] I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and I'm known by my own; [15] even as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. I lay down my life for the sheep. [16] I have other sheep, which are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will hear my voice. They will become one flock with one shepherd.

• Matthew 7:15

  "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves.

• Matthew 10:16

  "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

• Jeremiah 50:6

  My people have been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray; they have turned them away on the mountains; they have gone from mountain to hill; they have forgotten their resting-place.

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