"Shepherd" In The New Testament

by Van Robison

shepherd The singular term "shepherd" as found in the King James New Testament is found in the following verses:

  • Matthew 9:36. (As sheep having no SHEPHERD).
  • Matthew 25:32.(As a SHEPHERD divides His sheep).
  • Matthew 26:31. (It is written, I will smite the SHEPHERD).
  • Mark 6:34. (As sheep not having a SHEPHERD).
  • Mark 14:27. (It is written, I will smite the SHEPHERD).
  • John 10:2. (He that enters in by the door, is the SHEPHERD of the sheep).
  • John 10:11. (I Am the GOOD SHEPHERD).
  • John 10:12. (He that is an hireling and not the SHEPHERD).
  • John 10:14. (I Am the GOOD SHEPHERD).
  • John 10:16. (There shall be ONE FOLD and ONE SHEPHERD).
  • Hebrews 13:20. (Jesus, that GREAT SHEPHERD of the sheep).
  • 1 Peter 2:25. (The SHEPHERD and Bishop of your souls).
  • 1 Peter 5:4. (The CHIEF SHEPHERD).
The plural term "shepherds" can be found in the King James New Testament as follows:
  • Luke 2:8. (Shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night).
  • Luke 2:15. (The shepherds said one to another [they were animal shepherds or herders]).
  • Luke 2:18. (They wondered at the things told them by the shepherds).
  • Luke 2:20. (And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God).
In the book of Luke, the shepherds referred to are all animal shepherds and their mention surrounds the birth of Christ. In the four Gospels, in every instance, THE SHEPHERD, THE GOOD SHEPHERD, THE ONE SHEPHERD all refer to Jesus Christ. In the other three verses in Hebrews and I Peter, THE GREAT SHEPHERD, THE SHEPHERD and THE CHIEF SHEPHERD all refer to Jesus Christ.

The interesting observation, is that NOWHERE, NOT EVEN ONCE, did Jesus Christ ever refer to His disciples as "shepherds"--NOT ONCE!

The singular term "pastor" cannot be found in the King James New Testament--not once! The plural term "pastors" is found in the King James New Testament--only once at Ephesians 4:11, and the term "pastors" is the identical Greek word translated "shepherd" elsewhere, which is Strong's Exhaustive Concordance #4166 (with exception to 1 Peter 5:4 which is #750).

From my perspective, it seems very odd and strange that Paul supposedly said that Christ appointed "shepherds or pastors", when Jesus Christ NEVER referred to any SHEPHERD other than Himself??? And here is the only verse in the entire New Testament with the word "pastors", and the entire church world is obsessed--fanatically with this term--"pastors." Has the New Testament been tampered with to mislead the followers of the GREAT SHEPHERD, into following false shepherds?

In our day and age, and through time, many have come, calling themselves "pastors", which from reading the teachings of Jesus Christ, is totally contrary to what Jesus taught. Jesus never referred to anyone other than Himself as SHEPHERD. If Jesus Christ wanted Peter to be a "pastor", why didn't Jesus call Peter--Pastor Peter? Why didn't Jesus call John--Pastor John? No, what Jesus said is that you have ONE SHEPHERD, ONE MASTER, ONE FATHER and all of us are simply "brethren." Virtually all "pastors" see themselves as "under-shepherds" to Christ, but Jesus Christ never called anyone "under-shepherds."

Many are the customs and traditions of men that flood the church world. And supposedly, those beliefs are "Biblical." I believe that it is entirely possible that some of Paul's writings have been twisted, manipulated and distorted to support the institutional church world, its authoritarianism, its hierarchy, and its false money system. It is Jesus Christ who is Lord, Master, the Great Shepherd, the One Shepherd--NOT PAUL--NOT PETER--NOT RICK WARREN--NOT YOUR LOCAL PASTOR--NOT YOUR BRAND NAME CHURCH.

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