Catholic Culture Resources
Catholic Culture Resources

Catholic Dictionary

Find accurate definitions of over 5,000 Catholic terms and phrases (including abbreviations). Based on Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.

Your Term:

GOOD SHEPHERD

The title of Christ, which he gave himself, in so many words and in the Parable of the Good Shepherd (John 10:17-18; Luke 15:3-7). The theme is then taken up later in the New Testament (Hebrews 13:20; I Peter 2:25, 5:4). Implicit in the title is God's mercy on sinners and his concern for the weak and lowly. Already in the catacombs the Savior was often represented as the Good Shepherd.

Start over.