What does John 10:15 mean?

This is the third separate analogy Jesus uses in this discussion which relies on the concept of shepherding. In this case, He contrasts His spiritual leadership with that of false teachers, including the hypocritical religious critics of His own era. Jesus previously identified Himself as "the Good Shepherd," saying that He was willing to die for the sake of His flock. This is a very different approach from a typical "hired" shepherd, who is inclined to run when there is danger. Spiritually, Jesus is the ultimate example of a shepherd willing to sacrifice Himself for the safety and health of His flock.

In the prior verse, Jesus echoed an important point made in His first analogy (John 10:1–6). There He referred to the way sheep instinctively learn to recognize the voice of their own shepherd. This reflects the close, knowing, personal relationship a "good shepherd" has with the sheep. Here, Jesus compares that closeness and intimacy with the relationship between God the Son and God the Father. This echoes other statements in the New Testament which imply that salvation through Jesus Christ brings us into an intimate family relationship with God (1 John 3:1; Romans 8:16–17).