30 And the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught. 31 And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat. 32 And they departed into a desert place by ship privately. 33 And the people saw them departing, and many knew him, and ran afoot thither out of all cities, and outwent them, and came together unto him. 34 And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things. (Mark 6:30-34 KJV)
William Burkitt’s Commentary
BURKITT : | Mr 6v1-6 | Mr 6v7-13 | Mr 6v14-29 | Mark 6:30-34 | Mark 6:35-44 | Mark 6:45-52 | Mark 6:53-56 | KJV Comm
Observe here, 1. How the report of John’s death being brought to Christ, he presently withdraws, and his disciples with him, from that place into the desert. Christ will not long continue his presence in those places where any of his servants are slain, and others of them are in danger.
Observe, 2. How our Saviour, upon the notice of John’s death, flies into the desert for his own preservation; his hour was not yet come, and therefore he keeps out of Herod’s way. It is no cowardice to fly from the rage of persecutors. Christ himself both practised it, and directed his disciples to it, saying, When they persecute you in one city flee to another. We must not expose our lives to hazard, but when laying down our lives will do God and religion more service than we can do by living.
Observe, 3. With what condolence and sympathizing pity our blessed Saviour exercised acts of mercy and compassion when the objects of compassion were before him. Jesus seeing the multitude, was moved with compassion toward them. Christ, when here on earth, did bear a tender and compassionate heart towards poor creatures in distress and misery: and to our comfort, he retains the same compassionate nature and disposition now in heaven which he had here on earth.
Observe, 4. The ground or cause of this compassion in our Saviour, because they were as sheep having no shepherd.
Learn thence, That the case of such people is very sad, and their condition to be much lamented and pitied, who are destitute of able, faithful, and conscientious pastors and teachers, to feed them with the spiritual good of the word and sacraments. Where provision fails, the people perish. But was the Jewish church now without pastors, as sheep without a shepherd? Had they not the Pharisees, the scribes, and the doctors, to teach and instruct them? Yes, no doubt; but they were no pastors in Christ’s account because of unfaithful pastors.
Thence learn, That idle, negligent, and unfaithful pastors, are no pastors in the sight of God, and in the account of Christ: Jesus had compassion on the multitude, because they were as sheep having no shepherd.