13:20 the great shepherd of the sheep. The Good Shepherd leads and protects His sheep (Ps. 23; Ezek. 34:11–16, 31), and He has laid down His life for them (John 10:11; 1 Pet. 2:24, 25).

by the blood of the eternal covenant. The sacrifice of Christ defeated death (2:14) and inaugurated the new and eternal covenant (9:12–15). After being raised, “Christ . . . will never die again” (Rom. 6:9); the effects of His sacrifice are eternal.