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MATTHEW 9:36 — KING JAMES VERSION 0
Matt 9:35Matt 9:37
“But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.”
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. The compassion (esplanchnisthē — the gut-level emotional response that drives action) is Jesus' response to the crowds' condition: harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Numbers 27:17 records Moses asking for a leader for the congregation so they will not be like sheep without a shepherd; Ezekiel 34 describes the false shepherds who have left the flock to be scattered. Jesus sees Israel as a nation without adequate leadership — harassed by the ruling powers and helpless before them. The compassion is not sentiment but the motivation for the sending of the disciples in chapter 10.

Church Fathers on Matthew 9:36

The Lord would refute by actions the charge of the Pharisees, who said, 'He casteth out daemons by the 'Prince of the daemons;' for a daemon having suffered rebuke, does not return good but evil to those who have not shewn him honour. But the Lord on the other hand, when He had suffered blasphemy and contumely, not only does not punish, but does not utter a hard speech, yea He shews kindness to them that did it, as it here follows, 'And Jesus went about all their towns and…

Chrysostom · 4th century

Observe how equally in villages, cities, and towns, that is to great as well as small, He preaches the Gospel, not respecting the might of the noble, but the salvation of those that believe. It follows, 'Teaching in their synagogues;' this was His meat, going about to do the will of His Father, and saving by His teaching such as yet believed not.

Jerome · 4th century

He taught in their synagogues the Gospel of the Kingdom, as it follows, 'Preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom.'

Gloss (Glossa Ordinaria) · medieval compilation · non occ.
Read all 19 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain
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Matthew 9:36 — Community Reflections | HolyStudy