Ezekiel 34:2
Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks?
Cross-reference
Ezekiel 34:8-10 continues the indictment: God declares He will remove the shepherds who neglect the flock, reinforcing the charge.
Ezekiel 34:10 follows with God's judgment on these shepherds — he will stop them from feeding themselves and rescue the sheep.
Ezekiel 34:18 extends the rebuke to the 'fat sheep' who also exploit others — same self-serving attitude.
Ezekiel 13:3 similarly pronounces woe on false prophets who follow their own spirit — both rebuke self-serving leaders.
In Ezekiel 13:19, false prophets are condemned for profaning God and misleading His people, paralleling the self-serving shepherds here.
In Jeremiah 23:1, God pronounces woe on shepherds who destroy and scatter the flock, directly echoing the same condemnation.
In Zechariah 11:17, a 'worthless shepherd' is condemned for deserting the flock, directly echoing the critique of shepherds here.
Luke 20:47 denounces those who devour widows' houses—exploiting the vulnerable, directly mirroring the selfish shepherds.
John 10:1 calls false shepherds thieves and robbers who climb in another way — echoing Ezekiel's charge against false shepherds.
John 10:2 contrasts the true shepherd who enters by the door with the false shepherds Ezekiel condemns.
In Zephaniah 3:3, officials and judges are compared to ravenous beasts, mirroring the shepherds who devour the flock.
In Micah 3:1-3, Micah charges Israel's rulers with devouring the people, similar to shepherds feeding themselves instead of the flock.
Jeremiah 12:10 describes shepherds destroying God's vineyard — a parallel image to the false shepherds harming the flock in Ezekiel.
Jeremiah 10:21 calls shepherds stupid for not seeking the Lord, scattering the flock — a direct parallel to Ezekiel's condemnation.
Jeremiah 3:15 promises good shepherds after God's heart, contrasting with the false shepherds Ezekiel is told to prophesy against.
Jeremiah 2:8 directly condemns shepherds (leaders) who transgress — the same indictment as Ezekiel's prophecy against Israel's shepherds.
John 10:12 describes hired hands who flee and scatter the sheep — a vivid parallel to the irresponsible shepherds in Ezekiel.
Isaiah 40:11 portrays God gently tending his flock—the ideal shepherd, contrasting with the neglectful, self-serving shepherds.
Psalm 78:72 describes David shepherding with upright heart—direct opposite of the false shepherds who only care for themselves.
John 21:15-17 commissions Peter to feed Jesus' sheep—the opposite of shepherds who feed themselves, restoring true shepherding.
Romans 16:18 warns of people serving their own appetites—same self-serving pattern as the shepherds who feed themselves.
1 Peter 5:2-4 commands shepherding willingly and not for gain — directly opposing the self-feeding shepherds condemned here.
2 Peter 2:3 describes false teachers exploiting others through greed—identical to shepherds feeding themselves rather than the flock.
John 10:10 contrasts the thief who destroys with Jesus who gives abundant life — these shepherds are like the thief.
1 Samuel 2:29 rebukes Eli's sons for fattening on offerings — the same sin as shepherds feeding themselves instead of the flock.
John 10:8 calls false shepherds 'thieves and robbers' — same condemnation as these self-serving shepherds.
Zechariah 11:16 portrays a worthless shepherd who neglects and devours the flock — mirrors these self-serving shepherds.
Zechariah 11:5 describes shepherds who exploit the flock for gain, saying 'Blessed be the Lord, I have become rich' — echoes feeding themselves.
Zechariah 10:3 has God's anger against shepherds who abuse the flock — same critique of corrupt leadership.
Jeremiah 22:22 prophesies judgment on shepherds for their evil — echoing the same condemnation as the woe pronounced here.
Isaiah 56:11 condemns shepherds with insatiable appetite who seek their own gain — a direct parallel to those who feed themselves.
2 Samuel 5:2 recalls David as the true shepherd of Israel—contrasting sharply with the false shepherds who feed themselves.
Psalm 78:71 shows David called from sheep to shepherd Israel—a faithful leader contrasting with the selfish shepherds in Ezekiel.
In Acts 20:29, Paul warns of wolves threatening the flock — a danger negligent shepherds like those here fail to prevent.
Matthew 24:45 shows the faithful servant who feeds the household — contrast to these shepherds who feed themselves.
In Matthew 24:48-51, Jesus warns of a servant who abuses others, analogous to shepherds exploiting the flock.
In Luke 12:42-46, the wicked steward beats others and gets drunk—a parallel to shepherds feeding themselves instead of the flock.
In Zephaniah 3:4, prophets and priests are treacherous and profane, similar to shepherds who misuse their office.
In Micah 3:11, leaders pervert justice for money, echoing the self-interest of the shepherds in Ezekiel.
In 2 Samuel 24:17, David accepts punishment for the sheep — contrasting with shepherds who avoid responsibility and feed themselves.
In Genesis 31:38, Jacob testifies he did not eat the flock's rams — a contrast to shepherds who consume what belongs to the sheep.