# The hired servant

The "hired servant" is a metaphor that represents the Jewish leaders and teachers. Alternate translation: "The one who is like a hired servant" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor]])

# abandons the sheep

Here the word "sheep" is a metaphor that represents God's people. Like a hired servant who abandons the sheep, Jesus says that the Jewish leaders and teachers do not care for God's people. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor]])