King James Bible
"I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep."
Jesus declares himself as the ideal shepherd, contrasting with hired hands or false leaders who abandon the flock in danger. This 'I am' statement echoes divine self-revelation from the Old Testament, while 'good' (Greek: kalos) implies noble, excellent, and beautiful in character. Unlike typical shepherds who might risk their lives, Jesus states he will definitively lay down his life—a direct prophecy of his crucifixion. This sacrificial love defines what makes him the 'good' shepherd, elevating pastoral care to ultimate self-sacrifice.