Note 2 at Jn. 10:2: A shepherd was simply an individual whose main occupation was taking care of a flock of sheep. Abel was a "keeper of sheep" (Gen. 4:2) and Lot and Abraham had "flocks, and herds" and "cattle" in abundance (Gen. 13:5-7) which probably included sheep.

Some shepherds were nomads who lived in tents and moved from one area to another searching for pasture land. There were also wealthy sheep owners who hired servants to care for their sheep in various pastures, while they dwelt in villages and cities.

The kind of shepherd this passage deals with, however, was the one who had a permanent sheepfold from which he led the sheep to the pasture every morning and then back again in the evening. A son or daughter or hired servant was often given the responsibility of caring for the sheep (as David did in his youth--1 Sam. 16:11), although the shepherd was usually held responsible for any loss of sheep unless he could prove it wasn't his fault.

As stated in the note on sheepfold (see note 1 at Jn. 10:1, p. 241), several flocks of sheep might be lying in the sheepfold in the morning when the shepherd came for them. However, only those sheep who knew his voice would recognize it, get up, and follow after him, while the other sheep ignored him.

A long rod was carried by the shepherd to guide and manage the flock, keep it together, defend it, and punish any disobedient sheep. Those sheep staying close to the shepherd each had a name and were treated with special kindness.