# Connecting Statement:

Jesus continues his parable about the good shepherd.

# I am the good shepherd

Here "good shepherd" is a metaphor that represents Jesus. AT: "I am like a good shepherd" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

# lays down his life

To lay down something means to give up control of it. It is a mild way to refer to dying. AT: "dies" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism]])

# The hired servant

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

# abandons the sheep and ... does not care for 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/translate/figs-metaphor]])