Thomas Aquinas Commentary Matthew 9:35-38

"And Jesus went about all the cities and the villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of disease and all manner of sickness. 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. Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest indeed is plenteous, but the laborers are few. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he send forth laborers into his harvest." — Matthew 9:35-38 (ASV)

It has been shown how Christ had helped those coming to Him; here the Evangelist mentions that Christ was going to them. He mentions two things: first, how He bestows a benefit upon certain men; and second, how He bestows His compassion, where it is said, And seeing the multitudes, he had compassion on them.

Regarding the first point, the Evangelist shows three things:

1. Where Christ bestowed help.
2. What He taught.
3. What He did.

He says, therefore, And Jesus went about all the cities and towns. In doing so, an example is given to preachers, that they should not be content to preach in one place only: I have appointed you, that you should go and should bring forth fruit, etc. (John 15:16). All the cities and towns. And that passage is consistent with the preceding ones. Because the Pharisees had said that He was casting out devils by the prince of devils, for that reason, He shows Himself not to have a devil, so that the passage may be applicable to Him: With them that hated peace I was peaceable: when I spoke to them they fought against me without cause (Psalms 119:7).

What He was announcing follows. Indeed, He was doing two things, because in the synagogues He was teaching and preaching. He was teaching matters pertaining to faith, and preaching matters pertaining to morals. Likewise, He was teaching and preaching in the presence of many people, because He was teaching and preaching in the synagogues. In Psalm 39:10, it is written: I have declared thy justice in a great church. In this, He also differs from the teaching of the heretics, which is in secret. Christ’s teaching was different: In secret I have spoken nothing (John 18:20). Likewise, the Evangelist mentions what Christ teaches, for he says, The gospel of the kingdom; For this was I born, and for this came I into the world; that I should give testimony to the truth, etc. (John 18:37). Hence, He was teaching heavenly things: I am the Lord thy God that teach thee profitable things (Isaiah 48:17).

Afterwards, it is shown by His deeds what He did: Healing every disease, and every infirmity. Diseases refers to serious sicknesses; infirmities refers to less serious sicknesses. In Psalm 102:3, it is written: Who forgiveth all thy iniquities: who healeth all thy diseases. And why did He do this? It is so that He might confirm by miracles what He was saying with words, as it is said in Mark 16:20: The Lord working withal, and confirming the word with signs that followed. Likewise, this was to show an example to preachers, that they should do and teach: Jesus began to do and to teach (Acts 1:1).

And Jesus seeing the multitudes, he had compassion on them. Here he shows how the Lord bestowed His affection upon certain people. This is opposed to certain people, for their opinion was that affection alone was not enough; an effect was required. But here he says, Jesus seeing the multitudes, he had compassion on them. And first, he mentions how He was having compassion; then, second, he sets forth His example. First, he sets forth Christ’s mercy; and second, he sets forth the cause.

He says, therefore, Seeing, etc., namely, by loving consideration, he had compassion on them, for it is proper to Him to have mercy: His tender mercies are over all his works (Psalms 144:9). David was desiring this glance, saying: Look thou upon me, and have mercy on me (Psalms 44:16). And then he mentions upon whom Christ had mercy, for he says, the distressed, by demons, likewise, those lying, namely, those prostrate from their infirmities. Or, they are the distressed due to their errors, and lying, due to their sins, like sheep that have no shepherd. Hence: Where there is no governor, the people shall fall, etc. And: My sheep were scattered, because there was no shepherd (Ezekiel 34:5); and in the same place it is said: Woe to the shepherds of Israel, that fed themselves (Ezekiel 34:2). As it is written: O shepherd, and idol, that forsaketh the flock (Zechariah 11:17).

Then he saith to his disciples. Here He leads certain people to have pity. First, He points out the motives; second, He leads them to the effect, where it is said, Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he send forth labourers into his harvest. And He sets forth two motives. First, He sets forth the great number of those tending to good; and second, He sets forth the scarcity of teachers, where it is said, the labourers are few. Many people had gathered; for that reason He says, The harvest indeed is great. It is not called the harvest when the grain blossoms, or when it is in the ear, but only when it is actually ready to be gathered. In this way, people had already been disposed to believe through the work of preachers. Something similar is stated in John 4:35: Lift up your eyes, and see the countries. For they are white already to harvest. But the laborers are few, namely, good ones. Hence, the Apostle wrote: For we are God’s coadjutors. Give, therefore, of what is yours. And what is this? Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he send forth labourers into his harvest. When we have a need, we ought to turn to God, since the office of preaching is not obtained except through prayers. For He who sends the laborers is the Lord; hence, it is said: I have sent you (John 4:38); and He asks that He be asked, so that He may increase our merit when we pray for the salvation of others.

Likewise, He established an order, that the sanctity of some would benefit others, as it is said: As every man hath received grace, ministering the same one to another: as good stewards of the manifold grace of God, etc. (1 Peter 4:10). Hence, He wishes that whatever they have received of grace and sanctity, they give to others, and He, when asked, hears our petitions. For He asks to be asked to send them: How shall they preach unless they be sent (Romans 10:15)? For their authority was received; likewise, their grace is received. Hence, The charity of Christ presseth us (2 Corinthians 5:14). Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he send forth labourers, not profit seekers who destroy by their bad example, into his harvest, namely, into God’s harvest. For profit seekers are not sent into God’s harvest, but into their own harvest, because they do not seek God’s glory, but their own benefit.