MATTHEW 9:35-38
THE COMPASSION OF JESUS
INTRODUCTION
In Matthew 9:35-38, we see a profound depiction of Jesus’ ministry, marked by His compassionate heart and His tireless dedication to the mission of bringing the Good News to all. Jesus travels from town to town, teaching in synagogues, proclaiming the Kingdom of God, and healing every disease and affliction. His actions embody the perfect example of selfless love and mercy, especially toward those who are most vulnerable and in need. This passage underscores not only His role as the Good Shepherd, guiding His people with tender care, but also His deep empathy for the spiritual and physical suffering of the crowds who follow Him. As He looks upon the masses, He describes them as “harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd,” reflecting His concern for the lost and weary.
From this passage, we also see Jesus calling for more laborers to join in the mission of the harvest. His call for workers to gather the plentiful harvest reveals both the urgency of the task and the immense need for more disciples to share in the work of evangelization and pastoral care. This invitation continues to resonate today, as the Church is tasked with continuing Christ’s mission of spreading the Gospel and caring for those in spiritual need. It challenges us to reflect on our role in God’s mission, urging us to respond with the same compassion and dedication that Jesus exemplified in His earthly ministry.
Matthew 9:35 “Jesus went around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness.”
This passage highlights the threefold ministry of Christ: teaching, proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, and healing the sick. Each of these actions reflects key aspects of His mission to bring spiritual and physical restoration to humanity.
Jesus’ Ministry Across Galilee
“Jesus went around all the towns and villages.” This statement summarizes the scope of Jesus’ ministry as He traveled throughout Galilee. Though Capernaum was His base, Jesus’ outreach extended to both fortified cities and remote villages, ensuring that His message reached a wide audience. His ministry was not confined to specific places or people; He actively sought out opportunities to preach to all, regardless of their social or economic status. Through this, He understood the challenges people faced: sickness, poverty, spiritual blindness, and neglect by the religious leaders.
Teaching in the Synagogues
Jesus frequently taught in synagogues, which were central gathering places for Jewish worship and instruction. The synagogue system had developed over time, particularly during the Babylonian exile when the first Temple was destroyed. Without access to the Temple in Jerusalem, Jews began meeting in synagogues for prayer, study of the Torah, and community activities. After the second Temple was built, synagogues continued to serve Jewish communities around the world.
When Jesus taught in these synagogues, people were struck by His authority, distinguishing Him from the religious scholars of His time. His teachings revealed deep insights into the Scriptures, which often left listeners amazed and sometimes challenged. As a recognized Rabbi, He was often invited to speak, and He seized the opportunity to explain God’s plan, especially as it related to the Kingdom of God.
Synagogues also provided a platform for Jesus to address a range of spiritual and social issues. As centers of community life, synagogues symbolized more than just worship; they fostered learning, charity, and community cohesion, and Jesus often leveraged these settings to share His message with a captive audience.
Proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom
The Gospel of the Kingdom was at the heart of Jesus’ message. When He proclaimed the Kingdom of God, He was announcing the fulfillment of long-awaited prophecies. For centuries, the Jewish people had been waiting for the Messiah to restore Israel and bring about God’s reign. Jesus, however, clarified that God’s Kingdom was not an earthly empire but a spiritual reality, transforming the hearts of those who believed in Him.
Jesus taught that the Kingdom of God is already present among His followers but would only be fully realized in the future. This idea is echoed in various passages, including Luke 17:21, where Jesus states that the Kingdom of God is “among you.” The Kingdom begins with the reign of Christ in the hearts of believers, sustained by faith, repentance, and new life in the Spirit. This message extended beyond the Jewish people and reached the entire world, forming the foundation for the Church, which would continue to proclaim God’s Kingdom throughout the ages.
Repentance and faith were the entry points into this Kingdom, and Jesus called all people to “repent and believe in the Gospel” (Mk 1:15). His message was not simply an announcement; it came with an invitation to transformation and personal conversion. Acceptance of the Gospel opened the door to salvation, while rejection had serious consequences, as Jesus warned.
Healing Every Disease and Illness
The third component of Jesus’ ministry was His miraculous healing of the sick. These healings were not merely displays of power but signs of God’s compassionate love and the breaking of sin’s hold on humanity. Each miracle was a foretaste of the Kingdom where there would be no more suffering, illness, or death. As Isaiah 53:4 prophesied, the Messiah would “bear our infirmities and endure our sufferings.” Jesus’ healings, therefore, were not just physical but symbolized deeper spiritual restoration.
By healing “every disease and illness,” Jesus demonstrated that His power was boundless, covering both physical and spiritual maladies. His actions, such as healing the blind, raising the dead, and casting out demons, highlighted His role as the ultimate healer and redeemer. Jesus’ miracles validated His claim of divine authority, revealing that He was indeed the long-awaited Messiah.
Reflection
The ministry of Jesus, as summarized in Matthew 9:35, continues today through the Church. Christians are called to participate in this mission by:
1. Teaching: As Jesus taught in the synagogues, we are called to grow in our understanding of the faith and share it with others. This can be done through formal teaching roles or by simply sharing our faith with friends, family, and colleagues.
2. Proclaiming the Gospel: Like Christ, we are invited to proclaim the good news of God’s Kingdom through our words and actions. Evangelization remains central to the mission of the Church.
3. Healing: While miraculous healings still occur, most Christians live out this aspect of Jesus’ ministry by offering comfort, compassion, and care to those in need. Through acts of charity, prayer, and support for those who suffer, we bring the healing presence of Christ to others.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we give thanks for Your Son, Jesus, who traveled through towns and villages, teaching, proclaiming the Gospel, and healing the sick. Inspire us to follow His example, sharing Your truth with others and bringing hope to those who suffer. May we become Your instruments of peace and healing in a world in need of Your mercy. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.
Matthew 9:36 “When he saw the crowds, he was moved with pity, for they were harassed and helpless like sheep without a shepherd.“
This verse from the Gospel of Matthew captures a powerful moment during Jesus’ ministry, illustrating His deep compassion for those He encountered. Jesus, embodying divine mercy, responded with love and care for the spiritual and physical needs of the people, many of whom were neglected by their leaders.
Moved by Pity for the Crowds
As Jesus traveled through towns and villages, He witnessed the people’s suffering, both physically and spiritually. The religious leaders of His time – the Pharisees, Scribes, and priests – were failing in their pastoral duties. These leaders, instead of nurturing and guiding the people, were burdening them with excessive rules and rigid traditions, leaving them lost and vulnerable. Jesus identified their plight, describing them as “sheep without a shepherd.” This metaphor highlights their need for guidance, protection, and spiritual nourishment.
The people lacked true leadership, and this was evident in their poverty, sickness, and ignorance of God’s love. Jesus’ response was not passive. He actively sought to heal their wounds, offering them rest and freedom from their burdens. In His words: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest” (Mt 11:28). Jesus healed the sick, drove out demons, and offered hope to those abandoned by society.
Expressions of Compassion
Jesus, who traveled to various villages in Galilee to preach the gospel, had three unique initiatives that distinguished him from the Jewish elites of his time.
(1) Jesus observed the “troubled and abandoned” situation of the people.
(2) “His heart was moved with pity for them.”
(3) He did what he could to ease their sufferings and acted for the expansion and continuation of his ministry through his disciples.
At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them
There are several occasions when Jesus noticed the sufferings of the people and took pity on them. “When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, and he cured their sick” (Mt 14:14). Before feeding the 4,000, “Jesus summoned his disciples and said, ‘My heart is moved with pity for the crowd, for they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, for fear they may collapse on the way’” (Mt 15:33).
Out of sympathy, Jesus helped the helpless without their request for a favour:
(1) Jesus healed a man with a withered hand in a synagogue on a Sabbath (Mt12:9-14; Mk 3:1-6; Lk 6:6-11).
(2) He was “moved with pity” on a widow whose son had died, and he raised him during the funeral procession (Lk 7:11-17).
(3) He healed a person lying at the pool of Bethsaida who was sick for 38 years (Jn 5:1-15).
(4) He fed the 5,000 who came to listen to him (Mt 14:13-21; Mk 6:30-44; Lk 9:10-17; Jn 6:1-15).
(5) He fed 4,000 by stating, “My heart is moved with pity for the crowd” (Mt 15:32-29; Mk 8:1-13).
(6) Jesus healed on a Sabbath a woman who was crippled by a spirit for 18 years (Lk 13:10-17).
(7) He healed a man with dropsy on the Sabbath while dining at the house of a Pharisee (Lk 14:1-6).
(8) Jesus healed the high priest’s servant at Gethsemane when Peter cut off his right ear (Lk 22:50-51).
During some of these and other occasions, the Pharisees and the Scribes looked with contempt at Jesus because he did those on a Sabbath or because he forgave the sins of the sick, which according to his opponents was blasphemy. They even plotted to assassinate him for these reasons.
The motivation for our service must come from the heart, the seat of love and compassion. Jesus had invited those who were meek and humble to find relief in his heart. Instead of a ritualistic religion, he chose a heart-centered faith. He substituted the Jewish religion with Christianity to offer service from the heart.
Harassed and Helpless
The condition of the people during Jesus’ time was pitiable. They were weighed down by the hypocrisy and corruption of their leaders, as Jesus observed: “They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them” (Mt 23:4). The people faced unnecessary rituals, misunderstood the observance of the Sabbath, and endured a life without true direction toward God. These burdens left them spiritually adrift, yearning for guidance.
In this context, Jesus’ role as the Good Shepherd becomes even more significant. Unlike wild goats that can survive on their own, domesticated sheep rely entirely on the shepherd for safety, guidance, and sustenance. Without a shepherd, they are vulnerable to predators, unable to find good pasture, and easily lost. Jesus came to provide this essential leadership and care, filling the void left by Israel’s irresponsible shepherds.
A Biblical Tradition of Shepherding
Throughout the Old Testament, the metaphor of shepherding is central to Israel’s understanding of leadership. God is depicted as Israel’s Shepherd, as seen in Psalm 23:1, “The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack.” Leaders were appointed to guide the people, yet many of them failed. Jeremiah laments, “Lost sheep were my people, their shepherds misled them” (Jer 50:6), and Ezekiel condemns the shepherds of Israel for neglecting their duties: “Woe to the shepherds of Israel who have been pasturing themselves! Should not shepherds pasture the flock?” (Ezek 34:2).
This failure necessitated divine intervention. God promised, “I will search for my sheep myself, and I will look after them” (Ezek 34:11). Jesus, as the fulfillment of this promise, came to be the Good Shepherd (Jn 10:11-16), leading His people to the “green pastures” of salvation and spiritual renewal.
The Shepherd for Today
Just as Jesus saw the people of His time harassed and helpless, we often face similar challenges today. Many in the modern world struggle with spiritual confusion, societal pressures, and feelings of isolation. The metaphor of “sheep without a shepherd” continues to resonate, as people seek meaning in a complex, often disorienting world.
Jesus’ message of love and compassion remains as relevant as ever. His invitation to find rest in Him, to be healed and guided by His hand, offers hope to all who feel lost. He not only offered compassion to those in His time but continues to extend this care through His Church, calling on each of us to participate in this shepherding mission.
A Call to Action
Jesus’ compassion also compels us to act. In Matthew 9:37-38, after witnessing the people’s plight, He instructs His disciples to “pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers.” This reminds us that, as Christians, we are called to share in Christ’s mission, offering guidance, support, and compassion to those in need. Whether through physical acts of mercy, such as feeding the hungry, or through spiritual leadership and care, we are invited to imitate Christ’s love for His flock.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, Good Shepherd, we thank You for Your unending compassion for us. You see us in our struggles, our confusion, and our need, and You guide us with Your love. Help us to trust in Your care and to follow Your voice amidst the distractions of the world. May we too be filled with Your compassion, reaching out to those who are harassed and helpless, and leading them to the peace that only You can give. Strengthen our faith, and make us instruments of Your love, that we may shepherd others as You shepherd us. Amen.
Matthew 9:37: “Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few.’
In Matthew 9:37, Jesus offers a profound insight through a metaphor that resonates deeply with His audience. By shifting from the imagery of sheep and shepherds to that of harvest and laborers, Jesus touches on the urgency and magnitude of the task at hand. He observes that the people are “harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Mt 9:36), a situation that fills Him with compassion. The abundant harvest represents the many souls ready to receive the message of salvation, but the scarcity of laborers reflects the limited number of faithful workers willing to engage in the mission.
This theme of harvesting souls reflects Jesus’ awareness of the immense need for spiritual leadership and guidance. Drawing from the agrarian society of the time, Jesus uses a scenario familiar to His listeners – farmers in desperate need of workers to harvest their crops. The readiness of the field but the shortage of laborers meant that crops could be lost, symbolizing the spiritual peril of unaddressed souls.
Old Testament Imagery: Israel as God’s Vineyard
In this metaphor, there is a rich allusion to the Old Testament. Israel is often depicted as the vineyard of God (Isa 5:1-7), where God is the owner, expecting a fruitful harvest from His people. In the time of Jesus, however, many of Israel’s leaders had neglected their responsibilities. Jesus, therefore, as the new shepherd, began gathering His faithful disciples to continue the work of the Father. The religious authorities of the day had failed, but Christ would raise up new laborers – dedicated and faithful servants – who would bring in the harvest of souls for God’s kingdom.
The Universal Mission of the Church
The Catholic Church interprets this passage as a call for evangelization. The Catechism of the Catholic Church highlights the central mission of spreading the Gospel, stating, “The ultimate purpose of mission is none other than to make men share in the communion between the Father and the Son in their Spirit of love” (CCC 850). Jesus recognizes that the spiritual fields are ripe, filled with people in need of guidance, yet the laborers – those who spread the Gospel – are few.
A Call to Vocations and Active Participation
While the verse emphasizes the need for priests and religious vocations, it also calls every Christian to actively engage in the mission of the Church. As Pope Francis states in Evangelii Gaudium, “In virtue of their baptism, all the members of the People of God have become missionary disciples” (EG 120). Every baptized believer shares in the responsibility to evangelize and live out the Gospel.
In the Jewish context of the first century, religious leaders like the Pharisees and Sadducees had become preoccupied with legalistic interpretations of the law, failing to provide genuine spiritual guidance. Jesus’ compassion reflects God’s desire to gather all people to Himself, especially those who are spiritually lost. The agricultural imagery would have resonated with Jesus’ audience, who understood the critical importance of timely labor during harvest season.
Reflection on Our Role as Laborers
As followers of Christ, we are called to be laborers in His harvest. This entails living out our faith daily, sharing the Good News, and fostering relationships that draw others toward God. In today’s world, where many are spiritually “harassed and helpless,” the need for faithful witnesses is as pressing as ever.
How can we, as Christians, respond to this call? We can start by deepening our relationship with God through prayer, the sacraments, and the study of Scripture. We must also be open to stepping out of our comfort zones, recognizing the fields ripe for the harvest all around us—whether in our workplaces, communities, or families. The Holy Spirit empowers us for this task, enabling us to be effective instruments of God’s love.
Praying for Vocations
The scarcity of laborers also reminds us to pray fervently for vocations to the priesthood and religious life, especially as the Church faces shortages in various parts of the world. Yet, the call to evangelization is not limited to clergy and religious. All Christians are called to be witnesses of Christ, living their faith in ways that invite others to encounter Jesus.
Prayer for Laborers in God’s Harvest
Lord Jesus, we thank You for calling us to be laborers in Your abundant harvest. Open our eyes to see the needs of those around us and give us the courage to respond with compassion. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit, that we may effectively share Your love and truth with others. Help us to trust in Your guidance and strength as we participate in Your mission of salvation. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Matthew 9:38 “Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
In Matthew 9:38, Jesus gives His disciples a directive that carries a profound spiritual and missional significance. After observing the vast crowds of people, Jesus was moved with compassion, recognizing their spiritual hunger and need for guidance. The people were “like sheep without a shepherd” (Mt 9:36), symbolizing the immense spiritual need and readiness for the message of the Kingdom of God.
The Harvest and the Workers
The harvest represents the spiritually abandoned people of the world – those who are ready to receive the message of salvation but lack the spiritual guides to lead them. God, the “Lord of the harvest,” is the one who oversees the spiritual growth and gathering of souls. The “workers” are those called to preach, evangelize, and shepherd God’s people. These laborers can be anyone from parents within families, to clergy, religious, lay ministers, and missionaries in various communities and mission fields.
Jesus’ concern for laborers points to the necessity of human participation in the divine work of salvation. While God initiates the growth and readiness of the harvest, He entrusts His workers with the responsibility of gathering it. Through the Parable of the Sower (Lk 8:4-8) and its interpretation (Lk 8:11-15), Jesus illustrates the essential role of preachers and teachers, as well as the hearts of those who listen and respond.
Praying for Vocations
Jesus urged His disciples to pray for more workers for the harvest. Even those called by God, like Judas Iscariot, can fall away from their calling, reminding us that prayers are needed for all laborers to remain faithful to their mission. As Jesus’ mission continues through the Church, this instruction remains vital. The Church encourages the faithful to pray for vocations to the priesthood, religious life, and lay ministry, recognizing the critical need for shepherds to guide the flock.
John the Baptist and Jesus had sown the seeds for the Kingdom, preparing the people for the Church’s establishment at Pentecost. At that time, many were spiritually ripe for harvesting, but Jesus foresaw the need for more shepherds to continue this work throughout the nations. His call to “ask the Lord of the harvest” reflects His alignment with the Father’s will (Jn 5:19) and His desire for an abundance of workers in the field to sow, nurture, and harvest the seeds of faith.
Catholic Teaching on Evangelization and Vocations
In the Catholic tradition, this passage highlights the indispensable role of evangelization. The Church teaches that all the baptized are co-workers in God’s harvest. While some are called to ordained ministry or religious life, all believers are called to participate in the mission of the Church. Through baptism, each Christian shares in Christ’s prophetic, priestly, and kingly mission (CCC 1267-1268).
Vatican II’s Lumen Gentium reinforces that the laity have an active role in spreading the Gospel. By living out their Christian vocation in everyday life, laypeople participate in the Church’s mission of salvation. In addition to this universal call, the Church also emphasizes the need for prayer to promote specific vocations to the priesthood and religious life, which are essential for the sacramental and pastoral care of the faithful.
Jesus and the Image of the Good Shepherd
Jesus often used agricultural imagery, such as that of a shepherd and a harvest, to convey spiritual truths. The “harvest” metaphor suggests both the abundance of souls ready for salvation and the urgency of the task. Like a bountiful harvest that requires many workers to gather, the vast number of spiritually seeking people requires an army of dedicated ministers. The workers, whether clergy or laypeople, are called to bring souls into the fold, nurturing and guiding them into the fullness of life with Christ.
This imagery of the harvest also draws from Old Testament themes, where the harvest was a symbol of both judgment and gathering. In the book of Joel (Joel 3:13), the harvest represents a time of judgment, while in Isaiah (Isa 27:12), it signifies the gathering of God’s people. Jesus builds on this by emphasizing the need for compassionate laborers who will lead people to the truth, not just with words but through service and love.
Reflection on Our Role
As Catholics, we are called to pray for laborers but also to discern our own role in God’s mission. Whether in the priesthood, religious life, or lay ministry, each of us is invited to participate in gathering God’s harvest. Are we willing to be co-workers in God’s vineyard? Are we ready to answer the call to bring the Gospel to those in need of spiritual guidance?
This verse is not just a call to pray for others but also a challenge to reflect on how we can contribute to the Church’s mission. We are all called to live out our baptismal call by spreading the Gospel in our families, workplaces, and communities.
Prayer for Vocations
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ, who showed us the way to eternal life. We ask You, Lord of the harvest, to send more workers into Your fields. Bless our priests, deacons, religious, and missionaries, and inspire more men and women to answer Your call to serve in ministry. Help us, too, to be faithful witnesses of Your love and truth in our daily lives. May we have the courage and generosity to respond to Your call and work for the salvation of souls. We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
CONCLUSION
In Matthew 9:35-38, we witness the heart of Jesus’ ministry and His profound compassion for the people, as He tirelessly teaches, proclaims the Gospel, and heals the afflicted. Jesus recognizes the immense spiritual and physical needs of the crowds, describing them as “harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” His response is one of deep empathy and mercy, as He offers both physical healing and spiritual guidance. This passage highlights the boundless love of Jesus for humanity and His call for more workers to join in the mission of spreading the Gospel and caring for those in need. The urgency of His request for laborers underscores the vastness of the spiritual harvest and the importance of all believers to participate in His mission.
The challenge presented by Jesus to His disciples, and to us today, is a call to action. The plentiful harvest represents countless souls waiting to receive the message of salvation, yet the shortage of workers reminds us that the task is immense. As followers of Christ, we are invited to imitate His compassion by becoming instruments of His love in a world that is often spiritually lost. Whether through teaching, proclaiming the Gospel, or offering care and healing, we are all called to labor in the fields of God’s harvest. By doing so, we respond to Jesus’ invitation to be active participants in His ongoing work of salvation, sharing in the joy of bringing others to the knowledge and love of God.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the example of Your Son, Jesus, who showed compassion to the harassed and helpless, teaching us to love and serve those in need. We pray that You send more laborers into Your harvest, filling their hearts with the same mercy and dedication that Jesus had. Strengthen us to be workers in Your field, spreading the Gospel and offering care to all who seek Your love. May we, through Your grace, faithfully answer Your call. Through Christ, our Lord. Amen.