But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and scattered, like sheep without a shepherd.
Parallel translations
- KJV But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.
- BSB When He saw the crowds, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
- NKJV But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.
- NASB Seeing the crowds, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and downcast, like sheep without a shepherd.
- NLT When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Seeing the crowds, Jesus is moved with compassion because they are like sheep without a shepherd. His heart of mercy drives his mission.
Overview
Jesus looks on the harassed and helpless multitudes and is deeply moved, perceiving their spiritual lostness for lack of true shepherds. The image recalls Israel's failed leaders and God's promise to shepherd his people himself. Jesus is the promised Good Shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep, and his compassion fuels the gospel mission.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 16
- Num 27:17who may go out before them, and who may come in before them, and who may lead them out, and who may bring them in; that the congregation of Yahweh not be as sheep which have no shepherd.”
- Mark 6:34Jesus came out, saw a great multitude, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd, and he began to teach them many things.
- Jer 50:6My people have been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray; they have turned them away on the mountains; they have gone from mountain to hill; they have forgotten their resting place.
- Ezek 34:3–6You eat the fat, and you clothe yourself with the wool, you kill the fatlings; but you don’t feed the sheep.
- Matt 14:14Jesus went out, and he saw a great multitude. He had compassion on them, and healed their sick.
- Zech 10:2For the teraphim have spoken vanity, and the diviners have seen a lie; and they have told false dreams. They comfort in vain. Therefore they go their way like sheep. They are oppressed, because there is no shepherd.
- 2 Chr 18:16He said, “I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd. Yahweh said, ‘These have no master. Let them each return to his house in peace.’”
- Matt 15:24But he answered, “I wasn’t sent to anyone but the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
- Matt 10:6Rather, go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
- Heb 5:2The high priest can deal gently with those who are ignorant and going astray, because he himself is also surrounded with weakness.
- Heb 4:15For we don’t have a high priest who can’t be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but one who has been in all points tempted like we are, yet without sin.
- 1 Kgs 22:17He said, “I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd. Yahweh said, ‘These have no master. Let them each return to his house in peace.’”
- Zech 13:7–8“Awake, sword, against my shepherd, and against the man who is close to me,” says Yahweh of Armies. “Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered; and I will turn my hand against the little ones.
- Matt 15:32Jesus summoned his disciples and said, “I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days and have nothing to eat. I don’t want to send them away fasting, or they might faint on the way.”
- Isa 56:9–11All you animals of the field, come to devour, all you animals in the forest.
- Zech 11:16For, behold, I will raise up a shepherd in the land, who will not visit those who are cut off, neither will seek those who are scattered, nor heal that which is broken, nor feed that which is sound; but he will eat the meat of the fat sheep, and will tear their hoofs in pieces.
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Christ at the center
Matthew presents Jesus as the promised King — son of David, son of Abraham — the new Moses and true Israel in whom every prophecy reaches 'that it might be fulfilled.'
How Matthew 9:36 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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