Good Shepherd

American  

noun

1. Jesus Christ. John 10:11–14.

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Good Shepherd British  

noun

1. New Testament a title given to Jesus Christ in John 10:11–12

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Good Shepherd Cultural  

1. A title of Jesus, based on a passage in the Gospel of John, where he says, “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep,” and “I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.” The metaphor of God as a shepherd is also found in the Old Testament. The Twenty-third Psalm begins, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want,” and a passage in the Book of Isaiah says that God “shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm.”

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The use of the title “pastor” (shepherd) for certain Christian clergymen carries on the idea.

Example Sentences

Ssentamu put together a team around Good Shepherd Primary school where he teaches.

From Barron's • Jan. 28, 2026

Fellow congregants at Jaramillo’s longtime church, Good Shepherd Fellowship in Pueblo, regularly asked him to perform Christian songs — a favorite was “The Blood That Jesus Shed for Me” by gospel pioneer Andraé Crouch.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 26, 2025

The group expanded, beginning with creating a community garden plan for Meridian Park’s Good Shepherd Center in Seattle, which became Tilth’s HQ in 1978.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 20, 2024

It sparked a riot outside The Good Shepherd Church, where angry supporters of the bishop had gathered.

From BBC • Apr. 17, 2024

Maybe because I was used to the Good Shepherd and Trujillo side by side in the old house, I caught myself praying a little greeting as I walked by.

From "In the Time of the Butterflies" by Julia Alvarez