Shepherds in the first century did not have a particularly good reputation. Yet, despite this, Jesus described himself as the Good Shepherd. With that one word, he acknowledged the reputation of shepherds but utterly dismissed it by describing himself as a shepherd – but a good shepherd. He chose to describe himself as the worst of all occupations but raised the status to unimpeachable heights.

In the gospel passage, Jesus is portrayed as ‘claiming’ his flock; guaranteeing them not only safety but also eternal life. Jesus says of the sheep that belong to him, ‘I give them eternal life.’ He does not say, I give them the promise of eternal life. This oath of loyalty and commitment is all the stronger and more remarkable in light of Jesus’ rehabilitation of the status of shepherds. The gospel of John makes clear that eternal life begins in the here and now but has no end.