Albert Barnes Commentary Jeremiah 23:1

"Woe unto the shepherds that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith Jehovah." — Jeremiah 23:1 (ASV)

The pastors – shepherds, that is, civil rulers (Jeremiah 2:8).

The sheep of My pasture – literally, of My pasturing, the sheep of whom I am shepherd. The people do not belong to the rulers but to God.