Matthew 9:36

Were distressed and scattered (hsan eskulmenoi kai erimmenoi). Periphrastic past perfect indicative passive. A sad and pitiful state the crowds were in. Rent or mangled as if by wild beasts. Skullw occurs in the papyri in sense of plunder, concern, vexation. "Used here of the common people, it describes their religious condition. They were harassed, importuned, bewildered by those who should have taught them; hindered from entering into the kingdom of heaven ( Matthew 23:13 ), laden with the burdens which the Pharisees laid upon them ( Matthew 23:3 ). Erimmenoi denotes men cast down and prostrate on the ground, whether from drunkenness, Polyb. v. 48.2, or from mortal wounds" (Allen): This perfect passive participle from riptw, to throw down. The masses were in a state of mental dejection. No wonder that Jesus was moved with compassion (esplagcnisqh).