Matthew 9:36

Figuratively; When salvation was given to the Gentiles, then all cities and towns were enlightened by the power and entrance of Christ, and escaped every former sickness and infirmity. The Lord pities the people troubled with the violence of the unclean Spirit, and sick under the burden of the Law, and having no shepherd at hand to bestow on them the guardianship of the Holy Spirit. But of that gift there was a most abundant fruit, whose plenty far exceeded the multitude of those that drank thereof; how many soever take of it, yet an inexhaustible supply remains; and because it is profitable that there should be many to minister it, He bids us ask the Lord of the harvest, that God would provide a supply of reapers for the ministration of that gift of the Holy Spirit which was made ready; for by prayer this gift is poured out upon us from God.

No instigator had stirred up the crowds. They were not harassed and helpless because of some mishap or disturbance. So why is Jesus so moved with compassion for these people? Clearly the Lord has pity on these people held in the sway of an unclean spirit and burdened by the law, because no shepherd was about to restore to them the guardianship of the Holy Spirit. The fruit of this gift was indeed potentially abundant but not yet harvested by anyone. The bounty of the Spirit overwhelms the multitude of those who take hold of it. For no matter how much it is gathered by everyone, it abounds in fruitfulness. And because it is good to have many people through whom he is served, he orders his disciples to pray to the Lord of the harvest to send forth as many laborers as possible into the harvest. He prays that God may bestow an abundance of reapers to take hold of what the gift of the Holy Spirit was preparing. Through prayer and exhortation, God pours out this gift upon us.

And contemplate Him here too beginning from love to man, not with any requital. "For He had compassion, because they were troubled and scattered abroad as sheep having no shepherd." This is His charge against the rulers of the Jews, that being shepherds they acted the part of wolves. For so far from amending the multitude, they even marred their progress. For instance, when they were marvelling and saying, "It was never so seen in Israel:" these were affirming the contrary, "He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils."

(Verse 36.) But seeing the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples. The persecution of the flock and sheep and the disturbance of the crowds is the fault of the shepherds and the vice of the leaders. Hence it follows.

Herein Christ shows in Himself the disposition of the good shepherd and not that of the hireling. Why He pitied them is added, Because they were troubled, and sick as sheep that have no shepherd—troubled either by dæmons, or by divers sicknesses and infirmities.

"But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion on them because they grew faint and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd." They did not have a shepherd. For their rulers not only failed to correct them, but even harmed them. The mark of the true shepherd is to have compassion for his flock.

(ap. Anselm.) Or, troubled by dæmons, and sick, that is, benumbed and unable to rise; and though they had shepherds, yet they were as though they had them not.

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them. Here he shows how Jesus showed affection toward some. This is contrary to those who held that no affection was sufficient, but that effects were required; but here he says, When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them. First, he mentions how he had compassion; secondly, he presents an example.

Then he mentions Christ's mercy; secondly, the cause.

He says, therefore, When he saw the crowds, namely, by a pious consideration, he had compassion on them, because it belongs to him to have compassion: "His compassion is over all his works" (Ps 145:9). This is what David desired to experience: "Turn to me and be gracious to me" (Ps 25:16).

And toward whom did he show compassion? To those who were harassed by devils and lying down, i.e., helpless in their infirmities. Or harassed by errors, lying down in their sins, like sheep without a shepherd. Hence Proverbs (11:14): "Where there is no guidance, the people falls"; "My sheep were scattered, because there was no shepherd" (Ezekiel 34:5); and in the same (v. 2): "Woe to the shepherds of Israel who fed themselves"; and Zechariah (11:17): "Woe to my worthless shepherd, who deserts the flock!"