Tim Maas Supporter Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

I would say that, by characterizing the people as "harassed and helpless", the evangelist was saying that they were without firm or correct spiritual guidance on the part of the existing religious establishment (as illustrated by the many criticisms that Jesus directed at the scribes and Pharisees -- who were supposed to be leading the people to God, and serving as examples of His holiness in their lives and actions -- for their corruption and hypocrisy), and were thus leaving the people vulnerable to false teachers and to the efforts of Satan and his demonic followers to draw them away from God.

November 04 2019 • 2 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jack Gutknecht Supporter ABC/DTS graduate, guitar music ministry Baptist church

"When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were bewildered and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd."

"Or 'because they had been bewildered and helpless.' The translational issue is whether the perfect participles are predicate (as in the text) or are pluperfect periphrastic (the alternate translation). If the latter, the implication would seem to be that the crowds had been in such a state until the Great Shepherd arrived."

--NET © Notes

I like how some other translations put this:

CJB
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were harried and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

MOUNCE
"And when he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were distressed and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd."

NASB
"Seeing the crowds, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and downcast, like sheep without a shepherd."

Message
"When he looked out over the crowds, his heart broke. So confused and aimless they were, like sheep with no shepherd."

NCV
"When he saw the crowds, he felt sorry for them because they were hurting and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd."

NOG
"When he saw the crowds, he felt sorry for them. They were troubled and helpless like sheep without a shepherd."

NIRV
"When he saw the crowds, he felt deep concern for them. They were treated badly and were helpless, like sheep without a shepherd."

Can you tell that I like alliteration?

In Matthew 9:36, the Greek words describing the crowds as "harassed and helpless" are "σκύλλω" (skullo) meaning "to mangle, tear apart, or be cut to the bone" (representing being worn down and distressed) and "ῥίπτω" (rhipto) meaning "to throw to the ground" (signifying a lack of support and being cast aside), essentially depicting the people as being heavily burdened and without anyone to care for them, like sheep without a shepherd. 

While not directly stating "harassed and helpless," Hebrews 4:15 emphasizes Jesus' ability to empathize with human suffering because he himself experienced hardship, allowing him to understand and relate to the struggles of people who are "harassed" and "helpless" like the crowds in Matthew 9:36.

5 days ago • 3 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report