Both Jesus and Moses were well aware of their Israelite origins. In contrast to the soft life which the biblical writer imputes to Moses at Pharoah's count, his people are being subjected to hard labour and maltreatment, and Moses' indignation at this leads him into an action which drives him from Pharoah's presence. Yet this is no accident, for - as tomorrow's reading shows - he is brought by his exile to the mountain where God will reveal himself and later make a covenant with his people.

The mission of Jesus was directed to his own people first and foremost, as the Gospels are careful to show. Yet he warns them that their response will show them to be less than the pagans whom they despise. Matthew was primarily writing his gospel for Jewish Christians to whom it caused great pain that pagans responded to the Good News in greater numbers than their own people. This passage demonstrates that Jesus Himself shared their amazement and sorrow at the lack of response by Israel.