• Isa 40:11 — He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.
• Zech 13:7 — Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little one

8 Christian traditions affirm this interpretation.

• Anglican · Anglican
• Baptist · Baptist
• Roman Catholic · Catholic
• Evangelical · Evangelical
• Lutheran · Lutheran
• Eastern Orthodox · Orthodox
• Patristic · Patristic
• Reformed · Reformed

5 passages from 4 historic works cite scripture this interpretation depends on.

• Epistle of Barnabas · 2 passages
• Catechism of the Catholic Church · 1 passage
• Commentary on the Book of the Prophet Isaiah · 1 passage
• Deus Caritas Est · 1 passage