Albert Barnes Commentary Matthew 10:6

"but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." — Matthew 10:6 (ASV)

But go rather to the lost sheep, etc. That is, to the Jews. He regarded them as wandering and lost, like sheep straying without a shepherd. They had been the chosen people of God; they had long looked for the Messiah; and it was proper that the gospel should be first offered to them.