John 10:5
And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.
Original Language Analysis
ἀλλοτρίων
a stranger
G245
ἀλλοτρίων
a stranger
Strong's:
G245
Word #:
1 of 16
another's, i.e., not one's own; by extension foreign, not akin, hostile
μὴ
G3361
μὴ
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
4 of 16
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
ἀκολουθήσωσιν,
follow
G190
ἀκολουθήσωσιν,
follow
Strong's:
G190
Word #:
5 of 16
properly, to be in the same way with, i.e., to accompany (specially, as a disciple)
ἀλλὰ
but
G235
ἀλλὰ
but
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
6 of 16
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
φεύξονται
will flee
G5343
φεύξονται
will flee
Strong's:
G5343
Word #:
7 of 16
to run away (literally or figuratively); by implication, to shun; by analogy, to vanish
ἀπ'
from
G575
ἀπ'
from
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
8 of 16
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
αὐτοῦ
him
G846
αὐτοῦ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
9 of 16
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ὅτι
for
G3754
ὅτι
for
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
10 of 16
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
οἴδασιν
they know
G1492
οἴδασιν
they know
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
12 of 16
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀλλοτρίων
a stranger
G245
ἀλλοτρίων
a stranger
Strong's:
G245
Word #:
14 of 16
another's, i.e., not one's own; by extension foreign, not akin, hostile
Historical Context
Sheep's wariness of unfamiliar voices protected them from thieves. Similarly, believers' spiritual discernment protects them from false teaching - a crucial defense in a world of competing religious claims.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you discern true teaching from false?
- What voices are you tempted to follow that aren't Christ's?
- How can you develop sharper spiritual discernment?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Sheep flee from strangers because they don't recognize their voice. True believers possess spiritual discernment to recognize false teaching and false shepherds. This distinguishes genuine Christians from mere professors - the regenerate can discern spiritual truth and detect error. The Reformed emphasis on the Spirit's illumination appears here.