Spend enough time at any Christian church, and you’ll hear one animal species mentioned so often you might find yourself glancing around to see if there are any standing in the aisles or chewing the altar flowers.
Sheep. Only they’re not spoken of in the context of good farming practices or where to get the best lamb cutlets for your favorite gyro recipe. Listen closely and you’ll realize the humble sheep symbolizes believers—you and me. In fact, the Bible is full of places where God compares us to sheep:
We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Psalm 100:3
“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me…”
John 10:14
We all, like sheep, have gone astray…
Isaiah 53:6
Have you ever stopped to wonder why? Why does the Bible compare us to sheep—one of the dumbest, weakest creatures known to man? Should we be insulted?
Let me offer a shepherd’s perspective on the symbolism of sheep in the Bible.
In This Article
Hi, I’m Lauren Thell, author of Christian YA fiction and blogger for teens who are ready to exceed the world’s expectations.
My Life as a Shepherdess
My first sheep “Sheena” arrived on the farm when I was twelve and eager for a new 4-H project. I learned very quickly, however, that sheep do not like to be alone, so Ludwig and Naomi rounded out our tiny flock shortly thereafter. Several seasons of lambing later, we had a nice-sized flock bearing a multitude of colors.
I spent hours with them every week—halter-training them, cleaning pens, giving shots, clipping hooves. My sheep knew my voice and came running when I spoke. They also responded to the sound of the cowbell I used to call them in for grain. I locked them up every night to keep them safe from predators and assisted when they gave birth.
I have spent a lot of time with sheep.
Why Does the Bible Compare Us to Sheep?
Are sheep really stupid, as everyone says? That depends on what you define as stupid. But I can honestly—and without hesitation—say that if we’re going to define sheep as being completely inept, we would have to assign that description to ourselves as well.
We actually have a lot in common with the ovine species.
1) Sheep are helpless.
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
Matthew 9:36
My family has raised a number of different animals over the years: milking cows, beef cows, pigs, chickens and, of course, sheep. Of these, sheep seem to need the most careful care. Susceptible to a number of parasites and diseases, they require yearly vaccinations. They often need assistance in birthing. And predators—coyotes, wolve, cougars, loose dogs, even other humans—love to target sheep. Sheep are not very good at guarding themselves.
Sheep need a protector.
Humans are susceptible to many things, not the least of which is our own fleshly desires. We crave things that are bad for us. We are easily sickened by sin and often defenseless against the forces of nature. Anyone who thinks he is invincible need only be caught in the middle of a powerful windstorm without shelter to be reminded of his frailty as a human being.
We need a protector to keep us safe.
2) Sheep are flighty.
As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness.
Ezekiel 34:12
Yes, some sheep are foolishly bold. I’ve been knocked over by protective mothers and domineering rams (male sheep) many times. They do have their moments of courage.
But for the most part, sheep are cowardly. They are easily spooked, and then they run. And when they do that, they leave behind whatever shreds of good sense they may have had. I once had one jump through a window and obtain a bleeding cut that required stitches because something spooked her. All you have to do to scatter the whole flock is scare one sheep. The rest will run without even knowing why.
All you have to do to scatter the whole flock is scare one sheep.
Humans are flighty too. We have our moments of courage, but more often than not, we run with a herd mentality. When one of us is afraid, it doesn’t take much to spread that fear into the flock. Rumors of war, hints of an economic recession, worries about a pandemic… We get spooked very easily and many times we don’t even know why we’re running.
We need a protector to help us feel safe.
3) Sheep are loyal.
He goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.
John 10:4-5
Amidst our myriad technologies exists something known as voice recognition software, which is exactly as it sounds. But it’s not a new invention.
I think sheep invented it first.
Sheep recognize their master’s voice, and they will follow that voice and trust that voice above all others. Growing up, I fed the sheep twice daily. The rest of my family frequented the barn during their own chores, but the sheep didn’t react to their voices like they did mine. If I stepped out of the house and yelled something, they would holler back. When I called them, they came. When it was time to lead them to a new pasture, I was the only one they would follow.
This is where having the Bible compare us to sheep is a compliment. When we find our master, we are loyal to him. But we need to be careful to not attach our loyalties to the thief depicted in John 10. The thief is only there to kill and destroy.
Only the Shepherd would lay down his life for his sheep.
4) Sheep are happiest when they know their shepherd.
“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me…”
John 10:14
Sheep with a shepherd are happy sheep. They graze in their pasture in comfort. They come to the barn for grain, knowing it isn’t a trap. When the shepherd is fixing the fence or cleaning the barn, they follow along. They rest in the care of someone familiar.
And when they have a shepherd nearby, they aren’t so quick to run from loud noises and sudden movements.
We need the Good Shepherd. Without him, we are alone, lost and wandering. Hopeless, helpless and flighty. Those who know their Shepherd are the ones who can rest in peace, even in this tumultuous world.
More Bible Passages Where God Compares Us to Sheep
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