And when He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep that have no shepherd.
This verse reveals the depth of Jesus’ heart—His compassion toward people’s spiritual condition—because the crowd was not merely physically weary, but inwardly lost and deprived of guidance. To be “weary and scattered” shows spiritual burden and a lack of direction, and the image of “sheep without a shepherd” vividly highlights the people’s unprotected and vulnerable state. In this way the Gospel testifies that the driving force of Christ’s ministry is compassion, and His gaze sees not only the crowd, but the need of each person. In His own person He reveals Himself as the true Shepherd, who has come to gather, to lead, and to give rest to the lost.