The Shepherd and Sheep Image in the Teaching of Jesus

Abstract

Dr. J. JEREMIAS in his Parables of Jesus states, 'Jesus loved to speak of his mission in the various figures and symbols which depict his calling to be the deliverer' 1), and among these symbols Dr. JEREMIAS includes that of the shepherd. In the Theologisches Worterbuch the same writer pursues this conclusion further and asserts that Jesus used the shepherd/flock image in three major categories; to describe his mission, to speak of his death, and to symbolise the eschatological judgement. The same assumption that this image is firmly embedded in the teaching of Jesus is seen in a comment on Mark xiv 27/8 by Dr. VINCENT TAYLOR, 'To trace the quotation to later Christian reflection is unnecessary in view of the frequent use by Jesus of imagery connected with sheep and shepherds' 2). The purpose of this article is to examine that use and discover how firmly embedded this image is in Jesus' teaching and in what categories it was used. One must assert, however, that the synoptic tradition is much too complex to be so simply categorised as Dr. JEREMIAS asserts; we will therefore examine occurrences separately, note parallels, and finally assess the evidence. We begin with Mark.