will shepherd His people and He will, among other matters and in contrast to Israel’s long line of scurvy leaders, ‘seek the lost’ (Ezekiel 34:16 versus 34:4). Indeed, the coming Davidic Messiah will be Yahweh’s agent in this ministry (vv. 23–24). Now who knows if the Pharisees and colleagues would conjure up Ezekiel 34 in their minds when they hear verses 4–7 and the constant reference to ‘lost’ items throughout the chapter. But if Jesus intended an allusion to Ezekiel 34, He could well be claiming