Christ is continuing to preach the good news about the kingdom of God (Matthew 9:35). He began doing so following his baptism and the subsequent temptations by the devil in the wilderness (Matthew 3:1 – 4:11). Matthew first describes the work he did in Galilee (Matthew 4:12). There he calls a number of men to be his disciples. Together with them he expands the scope of his work. He travels all over Galilee, teaching in the synagogues, and accompanying his preaching by healings (Matthew 4:23).
Next, Matthew 5:1 – 7:29 reflects Christ’s special teaching, again with a focus on the new kingdom, which is directed primarily to his disciples (the Sermon on the Mount). He then moves on in Galilee (Matthew 8:1–34) and chooses Capernaum as the place where he would live. He even proclaims the good news in the region across the Jordan River. Unfortunately, it is not accepted there. Matthew 9:1–38 describes the emerging opposition of the scribes and Pharisees.
Matthew 9:35 again picks up the thread of Matthew 4:23: in all towns and villages the gospel is proclaimed, and numerous healings take place. Christ observes that the people are exhausted and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
How should they continue with this people who arouse his compassion? They represent, as it were, a plentiful harvest for God, but there are too few people to bring in this harvest. He urges his disciples to ask God for labourers. Then he himself goes to work in a new way to safeguard the harvest. We read about this in Matthew 10:1–42. He will send out new labourers with a focus on gathering in the harvest.
1 And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction.