John 10:27
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”

In these chapters, we see that the interactions in this passage are between Jewish leaders (Pharisees), the Jewish religious followers, a man who was healed of blindness, and Jesus. In Chapter 9, we see Jesus heal a man who had been blind since birth. He and his parents attest that he had been blind from birth and now can see. The Pharisees inserted themselves into the situation as an investigation of the healing Jesus had performed on a Sabbath, which according to them, was against the Jewish law. Jesus heard about the investigation of this man and his family and that the religious leaders had thrown him out. Jesus found the man he healed and began to speak to him directly. He was revealing himself as Messiah to this man and offering salvation. This conversation was observed by the Pharisees, and they began to question Jesus. Jesus, in turn, used the analogy of those who enter a sheep pen in a way that is not through the gate and likened that to being a thief and robber. Jesus also speaks of the relationship a sheep has to its shepherd. Jesus then revealed himself as the good shepherd. This caused division among the Jews who heard this teaching. Some became angered and some were unsure how to process this revelation. They knew what their eyes had seen in the form of a healing of blindness. Yet, they were confused at the power behind the healing.
In John 10:22, the text moves to the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem. While this is referring to a different day than the previous story, most of the subjects in the account are the same. The Jews who were curious about who Jesus was were there and Jesus was again, telling them who He is. Jesus is speaking to the Jewish people and states, (verse 26) “…but you do not believe because you are not my sheep.” His next statement is our study verse… (John 10:27) “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”
In the surrounding passage of John 10:27, we learn a few things about our study verse that will help us understand what God wants us to know.
1. Jesus is the one who said these words. This means that this statement is from the very voice of God. It has a weight to it that we can know, without doubt, that it is truth.
2. This statement was in response to the Jewish people in Jerusalem who were actively trying to understand who Jesus was. This group had witnessed a miracle and were investigating whether or not these things were of God or of evil.
3. This situation is relatable and timeless. Since Jesus is the way in which we can obtain salvation from our fall, understanding who Jesus is,is just as relevant today as it was 2000 years ago.
Knowing our God requires an understanding of this verse. He is the good shepherd. Following him makes me a sheep. As a sheep, it’s important for me to “hear” his voice. Understanding our role in this will help us choose the key words we need to understand next.