Because he is a hireling - Because he regards only his wages. He feels no special interest in the flock.

The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling,.... And has no propriety in the sheep; had he, he would abide by them, and defend them; but because he has not, he will not expose himself to any danger, but leaves them:

and careth not for the sheep; what becomes of them, providing only for his own safety. Abarbinel (y) has a note on Isaiah 40:11 which may serve to illustrate this passage:

""he shall feed his flock like a shepherd"; not as he that feeds the flock of others, for the hire they give him, but as a shepherd that feeds his own flock; who has compassion more abundantly on it, because it is his own flock; and therefore he saith, "behold his reward is with him", for he does not seek a reward from another; "and his work is before him"; for he feeds what is his own, and therefore his eyes and his heart are there.''

Which is not the case of the hireling; he does not care for them, he has not their good at heart; but the good shepherd has, such an one as Christ is.

(y) Mashmia Jeshua, fol. 20. 4.

The hireling fleeth

The best texts omit. Read, as Rev., supplying he fleeth.

Careth not (οὐ μέλει αὐτῷ)

Literally, the sheep are not a care to him. See on 1 Peter 5:7. The contrast is suggestive.

The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.

10:13 The hireling fleeth because he is a hireling - Because he loves the hire, not the sheep.

10:10-18 Christ is a good Shepherd; many who were not thieves, yet were careless in their duty, and by their neglect the flock was much hurt. Bad principles are the root of bad practices. The Lord Jesus knows whom he has chosen, and is sure of them; they also know whom they have trusted, and are sure of Him. See here the grace of Christ; since none could demand his life of him, he laid it down of himself for our redemption. He offered himself to be the Saviour; Lo, I come. And the necessity of our case calling for it, he offered himself for the Sacrifice. He was both the offerer and the offering, so that his laying down his life was his offering up himself. From hence it is plain, that he died in the place and stead of men; to obtain their being set free from the punishment of sin, to obtain the pardon of their sin; and that his death should obtain that pardon. Our Lord laid not his life down for his doctrine, but for his sheep.