The '''Good Shepherd''' is a very powerful, highly original concept [[allegory]] unique to the [[Gospel of John]], specifically the [[pericope]] at {{bibleref|John|10|1–18}} ([[ESV]]). In less than 400 words in length, this includes conveys much of the essence of [[Christianity]]:
{{cquote|<sup>1</sup> “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. <sup>2</sup> But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. <sup>3</sup> To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. <sup>4</sup> When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. <sup>5</sup> A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” <sup>6</sup> This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.