One of the words is the Greek noun “poimen” which is a “shepherd, one who tends or herds a flock” (Vine). Shepherds or pastors (cf. Luke 2:8) is an excellent metaphor for those who have charge of others in a specific community (cf. Ezek. 34:2, 9, 10, 23, Jno. 10:16, 1 Pet. 2:25, Heb. 13:20: cognate verb in Jno. 21:16, Acts 20:28, 1 Pet. 5:2). There is only one place where the noun “pastor” appears (Ephesians 4:11). The rest of the time, the verb form is used. The same word is used today as a title given a preacher/pastor over a congregation. Because the term is used today for a located preacher instead of those scripturally designated pastors, it may be better to prefer the word “shepherd” to avoid confusing the shepherds with the modern-day located preacher.
Shepherds were common in first-century Palestine. Shepherding was a way of life distinct from living in a village. Unlike a fenced pasture where the sheep grazed away from the personal residence of the owner, shepherds lived with the sheep with only a tent separating them. Even then, certain animals may have stayed with the shepherd where he could keep “watch over” animals requiring special care. Also, the lack of rain made it necessary for the flocks of sheep to move from place to place and return with the first autumn rain (first of November).