John Chapter 10 verse 5 Holy Bible
And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.
read chapter 10 in ASV
They will not go after another who is not their keeper, but will go from him in flight, because his voice is strange to them.
read chapter 10 in BBE
But they will not follow a stranger, but will flee from him, because they know not the voice of strangers.
read chapter 10 in DARBY
And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.
read chapter 10 in KJV
read chapter 10 in WBT
They will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him; for they don't know the voice of strangers."
read chapter 10 in WEB
and a stranger they will not follow, but will flee from him, because they have not known the voice of strangers.'
read chapter 10 in YLT
Pulpit Commentary
Pulpit CommentaryVerse 5. - But a stranger will they by no means follow, for they know not the voice of strangers. The negative is strongly expressed. The sheep, who know their shepherd's voice, will not take the lead of a stranger or an alien; i.e. of a "thief or robber." If these secure the sheep at all, it is by violence or stealth, by unfair means, by illegitimate methods.
Ellicott's Commentary
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(5) And a stranger will they not follow.--The " stranger" is any one other than their own shepherd, and the term is not to be limited to the "thief" and "robber" of John 10:1. The thought is of the flock following the shepherd to the pasture. On the road they would meet other persons whom they would not follow. Some would, as thieves and robbers, seek to lead them away, calling them by their names and imitating their shepherd's cry; but they have, by long usage, got to know his voice, and will not follow a stranger.But will flee from him.--A strange word is a source of alarm to them. With the known tone of the shepherd's voice they have learnt to associate protection, guidance, food. His voice recalls these associations. A stranger's voice is something unknown, and therefore feared. It is as the voice of a plundering Arab who has called the flock before, or as the cry of a wild beast who has broken into the fold at night. The associations with unfamiliar words are only of things which are evil.
