Shepherds Feed Themselves

Ah, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves. Should not shepherds feed the sheep?
The charge is inverted vocation. These leaders do the exact opposite of what a shepherd would do - so much so that the flock is described as sheep without a shepherd, while the shepherds are standing right there.
Then comes the turn at verse 11: behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep. And when Jesus takes up this language in John 10, the sources note he is using vocabulary that matches the Greek of Ezekiel 34 closely. His audience knew exactly who he was shooting at. It was them.
Scripture links:
- Ezekiel 34:2 - shepherds who feed themselves.
- John 10 - I am the good shepherd.
When the shepherds fail, God does not appoint better ones. He comes himself.