"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life

The introduction sets up the shepherd image by presenting some basic principles for arriving at the theological meaning of this image. The study goes on to illustrate the interdependence and interplay of traditions in relation to the meaning of the shepherd image. The author studies the image in its Near Eastern background, in the literature of the Old Testament, especially John's Gospel, in the Fathers of the Church, and finally in the writings of the recent Popes.