Mat 9:36, 25:32, 26:31, Mar 6:34, 14:27, Luk 2:8, 16, 18, 20, Joh 10:2 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 36. Because they fainted . The word used here refers to the weariness and fatigue which results from labour and being burdened. He saw the people burdened with the rites of religion and the doctrines of the Pharisees; sinking down under their ignorance and traditions, and neglected by those who ought to have been enlightened teachers, scattered and driven out without care and attention. With great beauty, he compares them to sheep wandering without a shepherd. Judea was a land of flocks and herds. The faithful shepherd, by day and night, was with his flock, He defended it, led it to green pastures, and beside the still waters. Without his care they would stray away. They were in danger of wild beasts. They panted in the summer sun, and knew not where was the cooling shade and stream. So, said he, is it with this people. No wonder that the compassionate Redeemer Was moved with pity! (1) "they fainted" or, "were tired and laid down" (q) "having no shepherd"

Matthew 9:36

Verse 36. Because they fainted. The word used here refers to the weariness and fatigue which results from labour and being burdened. He saw the people burdened with the rites of religion and the doctrines of the Pharisees; sinking down under their ignorance and traditions, and neglected by those who ought to have been enlightened teachers, scattered and driven out without care and attention. With great beauty, he compares them to sheep wandering without a shepherd. Judea was a land of flocks and herds. The faithful shepherd, by day and night, was with his flock, He defended it, led it to green pastures, and beside the still waters. Without his care they would stray away. They were in danger of wild beasts. They panted in the summer sun, and knew not where was the cooling shade and stream. So, said he, is it with this people. No wonder that the compassionate Redeemer Was moved with pity!

(1) "they fainted" or, "were tired and laid down" (q) "having no shepherd" Nu 27:17, 1Kgs 22:17, Eze 34:5, Zech 10:2

Matthew 25:32

Verse 32. And before him, etc. At his coming to judgment, the world will be burned up and destroyed, 2Pet 3:10,12, Rev 20:11. The dead in Christ, i.e., all true Christians--shall be first raised up from their graves, 1Thes 4:16. The living shall be changed --i.e., shall be made like the glorified bodies of those that are raised from the dead, 1Cor 15:52-54, 1Thes 4:17. All the wicked shall rise and come forth to judgment, Jn 5:28,29, Dan 12:2; Mt 13:41,42, Rev 20:13. Then shall the world be judged, the righteous saved, and the wicked punished.

And he shall separate, etc. Shall determine respecting their character, and shall appoint them their doom accordingly.

(w) "And before him" Rom 14:10, 2Cor 5:10, Rev 20:12 (x) "separate them" Eze 20:38, Mt 13:49 (y) "shepherd divideth" Ps 78:52, Jn 10:14,27

Matthew 26:31

Verses 31-35. Jesus foretells the fall of Peter. This is also recorded in Mk 14:27-31, Lk 21:31-34, Jn 13:36-38.

Verse 31. Then saith Jesus unto them, etc. The occasion of his saying this was Peter's bold affirmation that that he was ready to die with him, Jn 13:37. Jesus had told them that he was going away; i.e., was about to die. Peter asked him whither he was going. Jesus replied, that he could not follow then, but should afterwards. Peter, not satisfied with that, said that he was ready to lay down his life for him. Jesus then distinctly informed them that all of them would leave him that night.

All ye shall be offended because of me. Mt 5:29. It means, here, you will all stumble at my being taken, abused, and set at naught; you will be ashamed to own me as a teacher, and to acknowledge yourselves as my disciples. Or, my being betrayed will prove a snare to you all, so that you shall be guilty of the sin of forsaking me, and by your conduct of denying me.

For it is written, etc. See Zech 13:7. This is affirmed here to have reference to the Saviour, and to be fulfilled in him.

I will smite. This is the language of God the Father. I will smite, means either that I will give him up to be smitten, (compare Ex 4:21, 8:16, etc.,), or that I will do it myself. Both of thrum things were done. God gave him up to the Jews and Romans, to be smitten for the sins of the world, (Rom 8:32;) and he himself left him to deep and awful sorrows, to bear "the burden of the world's atonement" alone. See Mk 15:34.

The shepherd. The Lord Jesus--the Shepherd of his people, Jn 10:11,14; comp. Isa 11:11. The sheep. This means here particularly the apostles. It also refers sometimes to all the followers of Jesus, the friends of God, Jn 10:16; Ps 100:3.

Shall be scattered abroad. This refers to their fleeing, and was fulfilled in that. See Mt 26:66.

(e) "is written" Zech 13:7

Mark 6:34

Verse 34. Much people--as sheep, etc. They had no one to teach them, and guide them. The priests and scribes were proud, corrupt, and despised the common people and neglected them.

(r) "because they were" 1Kgs 22:17

Mark 14:27

Verse 27.

(p) "it is written" Zech 13:7

Luke 2:8

Verse 8. The same country. Round about Bethlehem.

Shepherds. Men who tended flocks of sheep.

Abiding in the field. Remaining out of doors, under the open sky, with their flocks. This was commonly done. The climate was mild, and, to keep their flocks from straying, they spent the night with them. It is also a fact that the Jews sent out their flocks into the mountainous and desert regions during the summer months, and took them up in the latter part of October or the first of November, when the cold weather commenced. While away in these deserts and mountainous regions, it was proper that there should be some one to attend them to keep them from straying, and from the ravages of wolves and other wild beasts. It is probable from this that our Saviour was born before the 25th of December, or before what we call Christmas. At that time it is cold, and especially in the high and mountainous regions about Bethlehem. But the exact time of his birth is unknown; there is no way to ascertain it. By different learned men it has been fixed at each month in the year. Nor is it of consequence to know the time; if it were, God would have preserved the record of it. Matters of moment are clearly revealed; those which he regards as of no importance are concealed.

Keeping watch (2) , &c. More literally, "tending their flocks by turns through the night watches."

(2) "watch" or "the night watches"

Luke 2:16

Verse 16. Unto Bethlehem. The city of David, where the angel had told them they would find the Saviour. These shepherds appear to have been pious men. They were waiting for the coming of the Messiah. On the first intimation that he had actually appeared they went with haste to find him. So all men should without delay seek the Saviour. When told of him by the servants of God, they should, like these shepherds, forsake all, and give no rest to their eyes until they have found him. We may always find him. We need not travel to Bethlehem. We have only to cast our eyes to heaven; to look to him and to believe on him, and we shall find him ever near to us, and for ever our Saviour and friend.

Luke 2:18

Verse 18. No entry from BARNES for this verse.

Luke 2:20

Verse 20. The shepherds returned. To their flocks.

Glorifying, &c. Giving honour to God, and celebrating his praises.

John 10:2

Verse 2. He that entereth by the door. This was the way in which a shepherd had access to his flock. In Jn 10:7 Jesus says he is the door. In this place he refers to those who by him--that is, in accordance with his spirit and law--become ministers of religion.

Is the shepherd of the sheep. Christ does not here refer to himself, for he is the way or door by which others enter; but he refers to all the ministers of the gospel who have access to the church by him. In the original, the article "the" is wanting before the word shepherd--"is a shepherd." By his entering in this manner he shows that he is a shepherd-- one who cares for his flock, and does not come to kill and destroy.

(b) "the door is the shepherd" Jn 10:7,9