King James Bible
"The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep."
The hired hand abandons the sheep when danger comes, contrasting sharply with the good shepherd who stays. This flight reveals the fundamental difference between one who works merely for wages and one who has genuine commitment to the flock. The reason for fleeing lies in his very nature as a hired worker—he has no ownership stake or deep bond with the sheep. His identity as a mere employee, rather than shepherd-owner, determines his response to threat. The hireling's indifference exposes his transactional relationship with the flock, caring only for payment rather than their welfare. This lack of genuine concern stands in stark opposition to Jesus as the good shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep.