John 10 5

John 10:5

ESV: A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers."

KJV: And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

NIV: But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice."

NKJV: Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers."

NLT: They won't follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don't know his voice."

Meaning

John 10:5 teaches that genuine followers of the true Shepherd will instinctively reject and actively distance themselves from any "stranger" or false voice. This rejection stems from an intimate familiarity with the Shepherd's authentic voice, making them unable and unwilling to recognize or follow an unfamiliar, alien message or leader. It highlights the discerning nature of Christ's true flock, which protects them from deceit.

Cross References

Context

John 10:5 is part of Jesus' discourse on the Good Shepherd, which immediately follows the account of Jesus healing a man born blind in John 9. The Pharisees, acting as the spiritual leaders of Israel, questioned the blind man, his parents, and eventually cast out the healed man for testifying about Jesus. In this context, Jesus introduces the allegory of the sheepfold to draw a sharp contrast between Himself, the true Shepherd, and the spiritual leaders of Israel who, by their actions and unbelief, demonstrated themselves to be "thieves and robbers" or "strangers" (John 10:1, 8). The parable serves as a critique of their leadership and a revelation of Jesus' own identity and mission to gather and care for His true sheep. This verse emphasizes the inherent ability of the true sheep—those who belong to Jesus—to discern and reject voices that are not His, reflecting their unique and intimate relationship with Him.

Word analysis

• But (δὲ - de): A connecting particle, often indicating a mild contrast or transition. Here, it contrasts the shepherd's action and the sheep's response in previous verses with how sheep react to an unfamiliar presence.
• a stranger (ἀλλότριον - allotrion): Meaning "belonging to another," "alien," or "foreign." It describes someone who does not rightfully belong to the sheepfold, is not the true shepherd, and has no legitimate relationship with the sheep. In contrast to the "good shepherd" or "their own shepherd," the allotrion lacks authority, care, and genuine purpose for the sheep. This term immediately implies a lack of familiarity and rightful ownership.
• they will by no means follow (οὐ μὴ ἀκολουθήσωσιν - ou mē akolouthēsōsin): This is a very strong double negative construction in Greek (οὐ μὴ). The presence of "οὐ" (absolute negative) with "μὴ" (subjective negative/prohibitive) makes the negation emphatic and absolute: "never," "by no means," "certainly not." It indicates a categorical and irreversible refusal on the part of the sheep. "Follow" (ἀκολουθέω - akoloutheō) means to go along with, accompany, or adhere to. The strong negative emphasizes the certainty of the sheep's rejection.
• but will flee (φεύξονται - pheuxontai): The verb means "to flee," "escape," or "run away." This isn't just a passive non-following, but an active, decisive, and defensive reaction of retreat and avoidance. It underscores the danger the stranger represents and the sheep's instinctual aversion.
• from him (ἀπ’ αὐτοῦ - ap’ autou): Indicates separation from the stranger, reinforcing the action of fleeing.
• for they do not know (οὐκ οἴδασιν - ouk oidasin): "Know" (οἴδαμεν - oidamen from οἶδα - oida) here implies a deep, intimate, personal knowledge—knowledge gained through experience, familiarity, and relationship, not merely intellectual acquaintance. "οὐκ" is an absolute negative. They lack an intrinsic recognition and understanding based on prior interaction.
• the voice (τὴν φωνὴν - tēn phōnen): The primary means of communication and identification for the shepherd. It encompasses the specific tone, intonation, and calling of the shepherd. It's not just sound, but the particular sound that distinguishes the legitimate shepherd from all others.
• of strangers (τῶν ἀλλοτρίων - tōn allotriōn): Plural of allotrion. This generalizes the previous point, emphasizing that any unfamiliar voice from someone not their true shepherd will be rejected. It is a collective statement about their lack of knowledge of any non-Shepherd voice.

• "a stranger they will by no means follow": This phrase highlights the unwavering discernment of true believers. The strong negative (οὐ μὴ) underscores an absolute inability and unwillingness to follow anyone not the true Shepherd. It is a divinely granted spiritual immunity to false leadership and doctrine.
• "but will flee from him": Beyond mere non-compliance, there is an active rejection and protection of oneself from a harmful influence. This implies recognizing danger and instinctively moving away from it.
• "for they do not know the voice of strangers": This provides the underlying reason for their behavior. Their rejection is not arbitrary but is rooted in a fundamental lack of intimate recognition. Their knowledge and trust are exclusively reserved for their own Shepherd, making any other voice alien and untrustworthy. It's about relationship and recognition based on that relationship.

Commentary

John 10:5 is a profound statement about spiritual discernment inherent in Christ's true followers. Jesus establishes that genuine "sheep" have a unique, relational knowledge of their Shepherd's "voice" (John 10:3-4), making any unfamiliar "voice"—representing false teachings, misguided leadership, or spiritually unsound doctrines—instantly recognizable as alien. The sheep's response is not hesitant but resolute: they will "by no means follow," expressing an absolute refusal, and actively "flee" from such a stranger. This rejection is an automatic, intuitive spiritual safeguard, born from an intimate familiarity with truth and an inherent unfamiliarity with error. It implies a divinely enabled ability of believers, through the Holy Spirit, to distinguish genuine spiritual guidance from deceptive influences. This serves as both an assurance of protection for Christ's flock and a strong warning against those who would attempt to lead them astray.

For practical usage, this verse encourages believers to:

1. Immerse themselves in the true voice of Christ through His Word (Bible study) and prayer, so His voice becomes unmistakable.
2. Exercise discernment in all teachings, comparing them to the recognized voice of Christ and His gospel.
3. Actively reject and distance themselves from teachings or leaders that do not resonate with the known character, message, and authority of their Shepherd.

Bonus section

The concept of "knowing the voice" goes beyond simple hearing; it signifies a deep, personal relationship forged through sustained interaction. This relational "knowing" implies that the sheep's discernment is not primarily intellectual analysis but an instinctive spiritual recognition rooted in intimacy with Christ. The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in enabling this spiritual hearing and recognition in believers, guiding them into all truth (John 16:13) and providing the anointing that teaches them (1 John 2:27). Thus, the sheep's refusal to follow a stranger is a manifestation of God's protection and the Spirit's active work in the hearts of His own, preserving them from the spiritual dangers of false teachers and doctrines. It underscores the active nature of spiritual warfare, where believers are called to not just resist, but to actively flee from deceit.

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