Bible Verses About Chief Shepherd: 12

"And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away."

— 1 Peter 5:4 (NIV)

People who search bible verses about Chief Shepherd want Scripture on Peter's archipoimēn title — not only the Good Shepherd John 10 inventory alone. This page is a numbered list of twelve passages with the NIV text and a short note on each. Related lists: Bible verses about the good shepherd, Bible verses about Jesus, Bible verses about hope, Bible verses about faith, Bible verses about eternal life, Bible verses about God's love, Bible verses about protection, Bible verses about the church, and Bible verse of the day. Chief Shepherd here means Christ over under-shepherds — distinct from Good Shepherd "I am" sayings alone. The Bishop of Souls list is on Bible verses about Bishop of Souls.

Word study (lead theme). In Greek, "Chief Shepherd" is ἀρχιποίμην archipoimēn (Strong's G750; Bible Hub G750) — chief shepherd, head shepherd. Related ποιμήν poimēn (G4166; Bible Hub G4166) — shepherd. This list tracks Chief Shepherd / under-shepherd care, not every Good Shepherd verse alone.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 1 Peter 5 presses that elders feed the flock, and when the Chief Shepherd appears they receive an unfading crown (Bible Hub MHC 1 Peter 5; Blue Letter Bible, Matthew Henry on 1 Peter 5). (Good Shepherd lives on that page; this list centers archipoimēn.)

12 Bible verses about Chief Shepherd

1. 1 Peter 5:4. "And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away." Chief Shepherd appears — unfading crown. See Bible verses about the good shepherd.

2. 1 Peter 5:1-2. "To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ's sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve;" Be shepherds of God's flock — under the Chief Shepherd. See Bible verses about the church.

3. 1 Peter 5:3. "not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock." Examples to the flock — not lording it. See Bible verses about humility.

4. John 21:15. "When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, 'Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?' 'Yes, Lord,' he said, 'you know that I love you.' Jesus said, 'Feed my lambs.'" Feed my lambs — under-shepherd charge. See Bible verses about God's love.

5. John 21:16. "Again Jesus said, 'Simon son of John, do you love me?' He answered, 'Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.' Jesus said, 'Take care of my sheep.'" Take care of my sheep. See Bible verses about Jesus.

6. John 21:17. "The third time he said to him, 'Simon son of John, do you love me?' Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, 'Do you love me?' He said, 'Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.' Jesus said, 'Feed my sheep.'" Feed my sheep — love proved in care. See Bible verses about faith.

7. Acts 20:28. "Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood." Be shepherds of the church of God. See Bible verses about the holy spirit.

8. Ephesians 4:11-12. "So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up" Pastors and teachers — gifts under the Chief Shepherd. See Bible verses about the church.

9. 2 Timothy 4:8. "Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing." Crown of righteousness — longed for his appearing. See Bible verses about hope.

10. James 1:12. "Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him." Crown of life — promised to those who love him. See Bible verses about eternal life.

11. Revelation 2:10. "Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor's crown." Victor's crown — be faithful. See Bible verses about faith.

12. Micah 5:4. "He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth." He will stand and shepherd his flock. See Bible verses about protection.

How to use these verses

Pick one verse when you need the Chief Shepherd — not twelve as a grind. If you need Peter's title and crown, start at 1 Peter 5:4. If you need under-shepherd charge, open 1 Peter 5:1-3 or John 21:15-17. If you need flock watch, open Acts 20:28. For the Good Shepherd "I am" list, open Bible verses about the good shepherd. For a daily verse, open Bible verse of the day.

Questions people ask

What is a good Bible verse about Chief Shepherd?

1 Peter 5:4 (when the Chief Shepherd appears), 1 Peter 5:2 (be shepherds of God's flock), and John 21:17 (Feed my sheep) are clear starting places.

How do Bible verses about Chief Shepherd differ from Good Shepherd alone?

Good Shepherd centers John 10 "I am" sayings and Psalm/Ezekiel shepherd care. This page centers archipoimēn — Christ as Chief Shepherd over under-shepherds, with the unfading crown — then cross-links Good Shepherd. See Bible verses about the good shepherd.

What does archipoimēn mean?

Greek archipoimēn (G750) means chief shepherd or head shepherd — archi- (chief) + poimēn (shepherd, G4166).

Is Chief Shepherd the same as Great Shepherd?

Related titles. Great Shepherd appears in Hebrews 13:20; Chief Shepherd in 1 Peter 5:4 with the crown for under-shepherds. This page stays on Chief Shepherd. See Bible verses about the good shepherd.

How can I remember these verses?

Read 1 Peter 5:4, then John 21:17. Thank God that the Chief Shepherd appears with an unfading crown. For faith beside that hope, open Bible verses about faith. For Jesus, open Bible verses about Jesus.

Sources

• Blue Letter Bible lexicons: G750, G4166 (links above).
• Bible Hub Greek: G750, G4166.
• Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary: 1 Peter 5 (links above).
• Scripture quotations NIV.