{Were distressed and scattered} ((8873)an 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. Skull(935c) 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 ( 23:13 ), laden with the
burdens which the Pharisees laid upon them ( 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 
hipt(935c), to throw down. The
masses were in a state of mental dejection. No wonder that Jesus
was moved with compassion (esplagchnisth(885c)).