Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Matthew 9:36

"But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion for them, because they were distressed and scattered, as sheep not having a shepherd." — Matthew 9:36 (ASV)

Verse 35 summarizes the heart of Jesus’ Galilean ministry and prepares us for the new phase of mission via the Twelve . Like the Lord in the OT (cf. Ezekiel 34), Jesus showed compassion on the shepherdless crowds and judgment on the false leaders. The “sheep” Jesus sees are bullied and oppressed; and in the face of such problems, they are “helpless,” unable to rescue themselves or escape their tormentors. Parallels with the OT (e.g., 1 Kings 22:17; 2 Chronicles 18:16; Isaiah 53:6) remind us not only of the theme’s rich background but also that the shepherd can refer either to God or to the Davidic Messiah whom God promised to send (cf. 2:6; 10:6, 16; 15:24; 25:31–46; 26:31).