{"id":5105,"date":"2026-02-08T08:36:23","date_gmt":"2026-02-08T07:36:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/catholicus.eu\/en\/?p=5105"},"modified":"2026-02-08T08:36:24","modified_gmt":"2026-02-08T07:36:24","slug":"i-have-other-sheep-that-are-not-of-this-fold-jesus-was-not-sent-only-to-the-children-of-israel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/catholicus.eu\/en\/i-have-other-sheep-that-are-not-of-this-fold-jesus-was-not-sent-only-to-the-children-of-israel\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cI Have Other Sheep That Are Not of This Fold\u201d: Jesus Was Not Sent Only to the Children of Israel"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A truth that breaks borders, tears down religious walls, and continues to challenge the Church today<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Introduction: Was Jesus only for Israel?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One of the most repeated\u2014and at the same time most misunderstood\u2014ideas in the reading of the Gospel is this: Jesus came only for the Jews<\/em>. It is true that He was born within the people of Israel, that He preached mainly in Galilee and Judea, and that His historical mission began \u201cat home.\u201d But to reduce the work of Christ to an ethnic, cultural, or merely temporal project is to have missed the very heart of the Gospel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jesus was not sent only to the children of Israel of His time<\/strong>. From the beginning, His mission had a universal dimension<\/strong>, even though it unfolded in a pedagogical and progressive way. This truth finds one of its clearest and most luminous expressions in John 10:16<\/strong>, when the Lord Himself declares:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u201cI have other sheep that are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there shall be one flock, one shepherd.\u201d<\/strong> (Jn 10:16)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

These words are not a secondary metaphor. They are a theological key<\/strong>, a prophecy, and a roadmap for the Church of all times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

1. The historical context: Israel as a starting point, not a limit<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The election of Israel: a means, not an end<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

God chose Israel not for the sake of exclusivism, but for mission<\/strong>. Already in the Old Testament, the election of Abraham has a universal horizon:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u201cIn you all the nations of the earth shall be blessed.\u201d<\/strong> (Gen 12:3)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Israel is the instrument<\/strong>, not the final destination. It is the priestly people called to prepare the coming of the Messiah who would save all<\/strong>, Jews and Gentiles alike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Jesus says in Matthew 15:24,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u201cI was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel,\u201d<\/strong>
He is not denying the universality of His mission, but rather marking the order of the salvific plan<\/strong>: first the promise, then its expansion to the whole world.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

2. John 10: the Good Shepherd and the universal horizon<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis fold\u201d and \u201cother sheep\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In John 10, Jesus presents Himself as the Good Shepherd<\/strong>, an image deeply rooted in the Old Testament (Ezekiel 34; Psalm 23). The immediate \u201cfold\u201d is Israel. But Jesus introduces a revolutionary statement:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u201cI have other sheep that are not of this fold.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

These \u201cother sheep\u201d are the Gentiles<\/strong>, the pagans, the nations that did not belong to the Mosaic Covenant. Christ affirms something decisive:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  • They are also His<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • They will also be called<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • They will also hear His voice<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • They will also be part of the one flock<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    There will not be two Churches, nor two paths of salvation.
    There will be one Shepherd and one flock<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n\n\n\n

    3. Jesus was already acting with a universal mindset<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Although His preaching focused on Israel, the Gospels are full of clear signs of universal openness<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    • The healing of the Roman centurion\u2019s servant (Mt 8:5\u201313)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • The dialogue with the Samaritan woman (Jn 4), a woman, a foreigner, and considered a heretic<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • The faith of the Canaanite woman (Mt 15:21\u201328), whom Jesus holds up as an example<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • The parable of the Good Samaritan<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • The adoration of the Magi\u2014Gentiles\u2014at the very beginning of the Gospel<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      Jesus breaks religious frameworks<\/strong>, not to relativize the truth, but to show that salvation is not the property of one group<\/strong>, but a gift for all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n\n\n\n

      4. The Cross and the Resurrection: the universal turning point<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      It is after the Paschal Mystery that this truth is fully manifested. The final mandate is unequivocal:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n

      \u201cGo therefore and make disciples of all nations.\u201d<\/strong> (Mt 28:19)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

      The Cross tears down the wall that separated Jews and Gentiles (cf. Eph 2:14).
      The Church is born Catholic<\/strong>, that is, universal<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Saint Paul expresses it with absolute clarity:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n

      \u201cThere is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free\u2026 for you are all one in Christ Jesus.\u201d<\/strong> (Gal 3:28)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

      \n\n\n\n

      5. Theological relevance today: Christ does not belong to any faction<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      Against religious exclusivism<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      John 10:16 protects us from a temptation that is always present:
      believing that Christ belongs only to \u201cour group.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n
      • To one circle<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • To one sensibility<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • To a misunderstood tradition<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • To a closed identity<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

        Christ does not dissolve<\/strong>, but neither does He shut Himself in.
        The truth is not negotiated, but it is offered to all<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        The Church faithfully guards the deposit of faith, but she does so for the world<\/strong>, not against it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n\n\n\n

        6. Practical theological and pastoral guide<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

        How to live John 10:16 today<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        1. Listening to the voice of the one Shepherd<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        Before worrying about \u201cthe other sheep,\u201d we must ask ourselves:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          \n
        • Do I truly recognize the voice of Christ?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Or do I follow ideological, emotional, or cultural voices?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

          \ud83d\udc49 Practice<\/strong>: daily reading of the Gospel and an examination of conscience in the light of the Word.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          \n\n\n\n

          2. Avoiding spiritual pride<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

          Belonging to the visible \u201cfold\u201d does not guarantee interior fidelity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          \ud83d\udc49 Practice<\/strong>: cultivate sacramental humility\u2014frequent confession, awareness that faith is grace, not merit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          \n\n\n\n

          3. Welcoming without relativizing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

          Christ calls everyone, but He does not eliminate the truth in order to do so<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          \ud83d\udc49 Pastoral practice<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            \n
          • Welcome people, not justify errors<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Love the sinner, not bless the sin<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Bear witness with both charity and clarity<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
            \n\n\n\n

            4. Living a missionary faith in everyday life<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

            Not everyone is called to go far away, but everyone is called to radiate Christ<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            \ud83d\udc49 Concrete practice<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              \n
            • Coherence of life<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Clean and truthful language<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Real mercy<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Courage to give reason for the hope that is within us<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
              \n\n\n\n

              5. Trusting in the work of the Shepherd<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

              Jesus does not say, \u201cPerhaps they will come,\u201d<\/em> but rather:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              \n

              \u201cI must bring them also.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

              The mission belongs to Christ. We collaborate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              \ud83d\udc49 Spiritual practice<\/strong>: prayer for the conversion of the world, without anxiety or triumphalism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              \n\n\n\n

              Conclusion: one Shepherd for a wounded world<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

              John 10:16 is not just a beautiful phrase. It is a promise<\/strong>, a program<\/strong>, and a responsibility<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              In a fragmented world, polarized and weary of empty speeches, Christ continues to say:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              \n

              \u201cI have other sheep\u2026 and they will hear my voice.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

              The question is not whether Jesus was sent only to Israel.
              The real question is this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              Are we today willing to let ourselves be used by the Good Shepherd so that those sheep may hear His voice?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

              Because in the end, it is not about enlarging a group,
              but about gathering all humanity under the one Shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep<\/strong>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

              A truth that breaks borders, tears down religious walls, and continues to challenge the Church today Introduction: Was Jesus only for Israel? One of the most repeated\u2014and at the same time most misunderstood\u2014ideas in the reading of the Gospel is this: Jesus came only for the Jews. It is true that He was born within …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":5106,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","_seopress_robots_follow":"","_seopress_robots_imageindex":"","_seopress_robots_snippet":"","_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_robots_breadcrumbs":"","_seopress_robots_freeze_modified_date":"","_seopress_robots_custom_modified_date":"","_seopress_robots_canonical":"","_seopress_social_fb_title":"","_seopress_social_fb_desc":"","_seopress_social_fb_img":"","_seopress_social_fb_img_attachment_id":0,"_seopress_social_fb_img_width":0,"_seopress_social_fb_img_height":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_title":"","_seopress_social_twitter_desc":"","_seopress_social_twitter_img":"","_seopress_social_twitter_img_attachment_id":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_img_width":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_img_height":0,"_seopress_redirections_value":"","_seopress_redirections_enabled":"","_seopress_redirections_enabled_regex":"","_seopress_redirections_logged_status":"","_seopress_redirections_param":"","_seopress_redirections_type":0,"_seopress_analysis_target_kw":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[37,45],"tags":[1683,265],"class_list":["post-5105","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","","category-doctrine-and-faith","category-sacred-scriptures","tag-children-of-israel","tag-jesus"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/catholicus.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5105","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/catholicus.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/catholicus.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/catholicus.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/catholicus.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5105"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/catholicus.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5105\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5107,"href":"https:\/\/catholicus.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5105\/revisions\/5107"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/catholicus.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5106"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/catholicus.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5105"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/catholicus.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5105"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/catholicus.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5105"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}