John 10:13
New International Version
The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.

New Living Translation
The hired hand runs away because he’s working only for the money and doesn’t really care about the sheep.

English Standard Version
He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.

Berean Standard Bible
The man runs away because he is a hired servant and is unconcerned for the sheep.

Berean Literal Bible
because he is a hired servant and is not himself concerned about the sheep.

King James Bible
The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.

New King James Version
The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep.

New American Standard Bible
He flees because he is a hired hand and does not care about the sheep.

NASB 1995
“He flees because he is a hired hand and is not concerned about the sheep.

NASB 1977
“He flees because he is a hireling, and is not concerned about the sheep.

Legacy Standard Bible
because he is a hired hand and is not concerned about the sheep.

Amplified Bible
The man runs because he is a hired hand [who serves only for wages] and is not concerned about the [safety of the] sheep.

Christian Standard Bible
This happens because he is a hired hand and doesn’t care about the sheep.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
This happens because he is a hired man and doesn’t care about the sheep.

American Standard Version
he fleeth because he is a hireling, and careth not for the sheep.

Contemporary English Version
Hired workers run away because they don't care about the sheep.

English Revised Version
he fleeth because he is a hireling, and careth not for the sheep.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The hired hand is concerned about what he's going to get paid and not about the sheep.

Good News Translation
The hired man runs away because he is only a hired man and does not care about the sheep.

International Standard Version
because he's a hired worker, and the sheep don't matter to him.

Majority Standard Bible
The man runs away because he is a hired servant and is unconcerned for the sheep.

NET Bible
Because he is a hired hand and is not concerned about the sheep, he runs away.

New Heart English Bible
And the hired hand flees because he is a hired hand and the sheep means nothing to him.

Webster's Bible Translation
The hireling fleeth, because he is a hireling, and careth not for the sheep.

Weymouth New Testament
For he is only a hired servant and cares nothing for the sheep.

World English Bible
The hired hand flees because he is a hired hand and doesn’t care for the sheep.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and the hired worker flees because he is a hired worker, and is not caring for the sheep.

Berean Literal Bible
because he is a hired servant and is not himself concerned about the sheep.

Young's Literal Translation
and the hireling doth flee because he is an hireling, and is not caring for the sheep.

Smith's Literal Translation
The hired flees, because he is hired, and no care is to him for the sheep.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the hireling flieth, because he is a hireling: and he hath no care for the sheep.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the hired hand flees, because he is a hired hand and there is no concern for the sheep within him.

New American Bible
This is because he works for pay and has no concern for the sheep.

New Revised Standard Version
The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
The hired person runs away, because he is hired, and he does not care for the sheep.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“But a hired man runs because he is a hired man, and cares not about the flock, and a wolf comes snatching at and scattering the flock.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
The hireling flees because he is a hireling, and cares not for the sheep.

Godbey New Testament
because he is a hireling and there is not a care to him for the sheep.

Haweis New Testament
Now the hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.

Mace New Testament
the hireling flies, because he is an hireling, and is under no concern for the sheep.

Weymouth New Testament
For he is only a hired servant and cares nothing for the sheep.

Worrell New Testament
because he is a hireling, and cares not for the sheep.

Worsley New Testament
Now the hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jesus the Good Shepherd
12The hired hand is not the shepherd, and the sheep are not his own. When he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf pounces on them and scatters the flock. 13The man runs away because he is a hired servant and is unconcerned for the sheep. 14I am the good shepherd. I know My sheep and My sheep know Me,…

Cross References
Ezekiel 34:2-6
“Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Woe to the shepherds of Israel, who only feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed their flock? / You eat the fat, wear the wool, and butcher the fattened sheep, but you do not feed the flock. / You have not strengthened the weak, healed the sick, bound up the injured, brought back the strays, or searched for the lost. Instead, you have ruled them with violence and cruelty. ...

Zechariah 11:16-17
For behold, I will raise up a shepherd in the land who will neither care for the lost, nor seek the young, nor heal the broken, nor sustain the healthy, but he will devour the flesh of the choice sheep and tear off their hooves. / Woe to the worthless shepherd, who deserts the flock! May a sword strike his arm and his right eye! May his arm be completely withered and his right eye utterly blinded!”

Jeremiah 23:1-2
“Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture!” declares the LORD. / Therefore this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says about the shepherds who tend My people: “You have scattered My flock and driven them away, and have not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for the evil of your deeds, declares the LORD.

Isaiah 56:10-11
Israel’s watchmen are blind, they are all oblivious; they are all mute dogs, they cannot bark; they are dreamers lying around, loving to slumber. / Like ravenous dogs, they are never satisfied. They are shepherds with no discernment; they all turn to their own way, each one seeking his own gain:

1 Peter 5:2-3
Be shepherds of God’s flock that is among you, watching over them not out of compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not out of greed, but out of eagerness; / not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.

Matthew 7:15
Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.

Acts 20:28-30
Keep watch over yourselves and the entire flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood. / I know that after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. / Even from your own number, men will rise up and distort the truth to draw away disciples after them.

2 Timothy 4:3-4
For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. / So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.

Philippians 2:21
For all the others look after their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.

1 Samuel 17:34-36
David replied, “Your servant has been tending his father’s sheep, and whenever a lion or a bear came and carried off a lamb from the flock, / I went after it, struck it down, and delivered the lamb from its mouth. If it reared up against me, I would grab it by its fur, strike it down, and kill it. / Your servant has killed lions and bears; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God.”

Isaiah 40:11
He tends His flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart. He gently leads the nursing ewes.

Jeremiah 10:21
For the shepherds have become senseless; they do not seek the LORD. Therefore they have not prospered, and all their flock is scattered.

Matthew 9:36
When He saw the crowds, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

Hebrews 13:20
Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep,

1 Corinthians 9:16-17
Yet when I preach the gospel, I have no reason to boast, because I am obligated to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! / If my preaching is voluntary, I have a reward. But if it is not voluntary, I am still entrusted with a responsibility.


Treasury of Scripture

The hireling flees, because he is an hireling, and cares not for the sheep.

careth not.

John 12:6
This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.

Acts 18:17
Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the chief ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat. And Gallio cared for none of those things.

Philippians 2:20
For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state.

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Care Cares Careth Caring Concerned Flee Flees Fleeth Hand Hired Hireling Interest Runs Servant Serves Sheep Wages
John 10
1. Jesus is the door, and the good shepherd.
19. Diverse opinions of him.
23. He proves by his works that he is Jesus the Son of God;
31. escapes the Jews;
39. and goes again beyond Jordan, where many believe on him.














The man
In this context, "the man" refers to the hired hand or hired servant, as opposed to the good shepherd. The Greek word used here is "anthrōpos," which is a general term for a human being. This highlights the distinction between a mere human worker and the divine nature of Jesus, the Good Shepherd. The hired man lacks the personal investment and commitment that the shepherd has for his flock, symbolizing those who lack genuine spiritual leadership and care.

runs away
The phrase "runs away" is translated from the Greek word "pheugei," which means to flee or escape. This action signifies a lack of courage and responsibility. In the face of danger, the hired servant prioritizes his own safety over the well-being of the sheep. This behavior contrasts sharply with the sacrificial nature of Christ, who lays down His life for His sheep. It serves as a warning against leaders who abandon their duties when challenges arise.

because he is a hired servant
The term "hired servant" comes from the Greek "misthōtos," indicating someone who works for wages rather than out of love or duty. This highlights the transactional nature of the hired hand's relationship with the sheep. Unlike the shepherd, who has a vested interest in the flock, the hired servant's primary concern is his own compensation. This reflects a broader spiritual truth about the difference between those who serve God out of love and those who do so for personal gain.

and is unconcerned
The word "unconcerned" is derived from the Greek "ou melei," meaning to have no care or interest. This lack of concern underscores the indifference of the hired servant towards the sheep. It is a stark reminder of the importance of genuine care and compassion in spiritual leadership. True shepherds, like Christ, are deeply invested in the welfare of their flock, while false leaders are indifferent to their needs.

for the sheep
The "sheep" symbolize the followers of Christ, who require guidance, protection, and care. In biblical times, sheep were highly dependent on their shepherd for survival, making the role of the shepherd crucial. This imagery emphasizes the vulnerability of believers and the necessity of having a shepherd who is truly committed to their well-being. Jesus, as the Good Shepherd, exemplifies the ultimate care and sacrifice for His sheep, contrasting with the neglect shown by the hired servant.

(13) The hireling fleeth.--These words are again an addition to the text, and should he omitted with the great majority of the best authorities. If we omit them this verse must be immediately connected with that which precedes, the last clause of which is a parenthesis--"But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth (and the wolf catcheth them, and maketh havoc), because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep." The sense is not affected by the omission, and the words were apparently added as a gloss to make the meaning clear. The thought of the hireling is repeated to express the nature of the man, and to strengthen the contrast with the Good Shepherd which immediately follows.

Verse 13. - (The hireling fleeth) because he is a hireling, and careth not for the sheep. He only cares for himself. He is no match for the wolf of temptation, or disease, or death, lie wants to reap the personal advantage of his temporary office, and, if his own interests are imperiled, he can leave them to any other hireling, or to the wolf. Melancholy picture this of much deserted duty.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
[ The man runs away ] because
ὅτι (hoti)
Conjunction
Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.

he is
ἐστιν (estin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

a hired servant
μισθωτός (misthōtos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3411: A hired servant, hireling. From misthoo; a wage-worker.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

is unconcerned
μέλει (melei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3199: It is a care, it is an object of anxiety, it concerns. A primary verb; to be of interest to, i.e. To concern.

for
περὶ (peri)
Preposition
Strong's 4012: From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time.

the
τῶν (tōn)
Article - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

sheep.
προβάτων (probatōn)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 4263: A sheep. Probably neuter of a presumed derivative of probaino; something that walks forward, i.e., a sheep.


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NT Gospels: John 10:13 The hired hand flees because he (Jhn Jo Jn)
John 10:12
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