{They were as sheep not having a shepherd} ((8873)an h(9373)
probata m(8820)echonta poimena). Matthew has these words in another
context ( Mt 9:26 ), but Mark alone has them here. M(885c) is the
usual negative for the participle in the _Koin(825f). These excited
and exciting people (Bruce) greatly needed teaching.  Mt 14:14 
mentions healing as does  Lu 9:11  (both preaching and healing).
But a vigorous crowd of runners would not have many sick. The
people had plenty of official leaders but these rabbis were for
spiritual matters blind leaders of the blind. Jesus had come over
for rest, but his heart was touched by the pathos of this
situation. So "he began to teach them many things" ((8872)xato
didaskein autous polla). Two accusatives with the verb of
teaching and the present tense of the infinitive. He kept it up.