John 10:16 Meaning: Other Sheep, One Shepherd
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.
And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and they shall become one flock, one shepherd.
and other sheep I have that are not of this fold, these also it behoveth me to bring, and my voice they will hear, and there shall become one flock--one shepherd.
And I have other sheep which are not of this fold: those also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one flock, one shepherd.
Meaning in one sentence
Jesus says He has other sheep not yet gathered. What this means for Gentiles, for unity, and for your place in God's one flock.
Context
Jesus had just healed a man born blind, and the Pharisees had thrown the man out of the synagogue. In the confrontation that followed, Jesus called Himself the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep. The people listening were Jews. They understood a sheepfold as the nation of Israel, bounded by the law and temple. But Jesus widens the picture. He speaks of other sheep, not part of that fold. The words come in the middle of His good shepherd discourse, right before He predicts His own death and resurrection. The old divisions were about to collapse. Jesus was building one flock, not starting a separate one for Gentiles.
Key Words
Two Greek words in this verse carry the weight. The first is aulēs, translated 'fold' in older versions. It meant an open courtyard surrounded by a wall, where sheep were kept at night. For Jesus, the Jewish system was one such enclosure. But He uses a different word for the future: poimnē, a flock, not a pen. A fold is a structure; a flock is a living, moving community gathered around a person.
The verb dei, 'I must bring,' carries a sense of divine necessity. It is not an option. Jesus acts because the Father has appointed it. The word agagein (to bring) suggests leading by the hand, guiding gently. And the sheep akousousin, 'they will hear my voice', the same voice that called Lazarus from the tomb now calls the scattered.
Together these words tell us God is not improvising. The Shepherd already knows who are His, and He will go to any length to bring them home.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians across traditions have seen the 'other sheep' as the Gentiles, but they have read the certainty of their inclusion differently. Reformed commentators like Calvin and Barnes highlight God's sovereign purpose: the sheep were already Christ's in the decree of election, and the present tense 'I have' reflects the unshakeable plan of God. Methodist voices like Wesley and Clarke focus on the gracious invitation: the fold of Israel is opening, and Christ must bring the nations in. Both streams agree the result is one flock, one Shepherd. The unity is not organisational but organic, formed around the person of Jesus, not a single earthly structure. Catholic teaching often emphasises the visible unity of the Church as the one flock, while Protestant traditions stress the spiritual unity of all believers. The verse does not resolve every disagreement, but it assures every Christian of the same hope: the Shepherd is gathering His own from every people.
A common misunderstanding
Some readers think 'other sheep which are not of this fold' means Jesus has followers outside the visible church who can be saved without ever hearing the gospel. That misses the point. The verse does not say they will stay where they are. Jesus says 'I must bring them also.' They will hear His voice and become part of the one flock. The unity is real and future, not a permission to remain disconnected from the body of Christ.
Living This Out
This week, look for the sheep Jesus is gathering that you might not expect. The person at work who prays differently than you do, the believer from a different tradition, the immigrant congregation worshiping in a language you do not understand, they are in the one flock. Take one concrete step: speak well of a Christian from another background. Ask them what their shepherd has taught them. Let the unity that Jesus died to create become visible in your own attitude.
Main takeaway: Jesus already owns what He will bring home; every believer from every nation belongs to one flock under one Shepherd.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
Jesus is like a shepherd who loves all His sheep. Some sheep are in the pen, and some are out in the field. He calls them all together to be one happy flock.
For ages 9, 12
When Jesus said these words, He was talking about people from every country, not just the Jewish people. He already loved them, even before they knew Him. And He promised to bring them together as one family with one leader, Himself. That means Christians who are different from you are still part of the same flock.
Questions People Ask
Who are the 'other sheep' Jesus mentions?
Most Christian interpreters understand them as the Gentiles, non-Jewish people who would later believe in Jesus. The 'fold' refers to the Jewish nation and its religious system. Jesus was saying that His mission was not limited to Israel but included all nations.
Why does Jesus say 'I have' other sheep when they were not yet believers?
Jesus speaks with certainty about God's plan. In the same way that Acts 18:10 says God 'has much people' in Corinth before they are converted, Jesus already counts the future believers as His own because His purpose to save them is sure. It is not that they already believed, but that they would hear His voice and follow.
What is the difference between a 'fold' and a 'flock' in this verse?
The Greek word for 'fold' (aulē) means an enclosed courtyard, a structure. The word for 'flock' (poimnē) means the animals themselves gathered around a shepherd. Jesus shifts from a place of confinement to a living relationship. The unity is not about buildings or denominations; it is about belonging to the same Shepherd.
Does this verse mean all religions lead to the same God?
No. Jesus says the other sheep are brought by Him, they hear His voice, and they become one flock under one Shepherd. It is not a broad endorsement of all paths. It is a promise that people from every nation will be gathered to Christ, not that they are saved apart from Him.
How has this verse been used to support church unity?
Many Christians see it as a call to unity among believers across denominations, cultures, and traditions. The one flock is not a single institution but the whole people of God, past, present, and future, united under the headship of Christ. It encourages cooperation and mutual love without erasing genuine differences.
For pastors & researchers
Greek interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study