Muslims believe that God is the only true shepherd and that Jesus cannot be equated with God.

The Bible consistently portrays God as the shepherd of His people, as seen in Psalm 23 and Isaiah 40. However, Christians assert that Jesus fulfills this role in a unique way, as He is both God and man. In John 10:11, Jesus explicitly states, 'I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.' This claim aligns with the Old Testament understanding of God as the shepherd, suggesting that Jesus shares in the divine nature. Furthermore, the New Testament emphasizes the holiness and righteousness of God, which Christians believe is fully present in Jesus. Verses such as Mark 10:18 affirm that only God is good, and by claiming to be the good shepherd, Jesus is asserting His divine identity. This is further supported by the claim in John 1:1 that 'the Word was God,' indicating that Jesus, as the Word, is indeed divine. Additionally, the Bible teaches that all humans are fallen and sinful, as seen in Romans 3:10-12. In contrast, Jesus, being without sin, is the perfect shepherd who can lead His followers to salvation. This distinction underscores the Christian belief that Jesus is not merely a prophet or a good man, but rather the divine shepherd who offers eternal life to His followers, fulfilling the prophecies of the Old Testament and establishing His deity.