Matthew 9:36

Until now, Matthew presented the crowds as those Galileans who listened to and observed Jesus with wonder. Now they become the objects of Jesus’ concern. His compassion for the multitudes recalls Ezekiel’s description of God’s compassion for Israel (Ezekiel 34). "Distressed" (NASB) really means "harassed" (NIV). It pictures the Jews bullied and oppressed by their religious leaders. They were "downcast" (NASB) because they were "helpless" (NIV). No one was able to deliver them. They lacked effective leadership, as sheep without a shepherd (cf. Numbers 27:17; 1 Kings 22:17; 2 Chronicles 18:16; Isaiah 53:6; Ezekiel 34:23-24; Ezekiel 37:24). The Old Testament describes both God and Messiah as shepherds of their people (cf. Matthew 2:6; Matthew 10:6; Matthew 10:16; Matthew 15:24; Matthew 25:31-46; Matthew 26:31).