I am: See study note on 6:35. The good shepherd guides his sheep, finds food and water, and locates paths in the wilderness (see Psalm 23). The good shepherd stands between his sheep and danger (John 10:11).
The Old Testament describes God as Israel’s shepherd (Psalms 23; 80:1; Isaiah 40:10–11). The religious leaders of God’s people should care for their flock as God does (Ezekiel 34:23). However, the leaders of Israel in the time of Jesus were not good shepherds.