When He saw the crowds, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
Parallel translations
- WEB But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and scattered, like sheep without a shepherd.
- 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.
- 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 will go out and come in before them, and who will lead them out and bring them in, so that the congregation of the LORD will not be like sheep without a shepherd.”
- Mark 6:34When Jesus stepped ashore and saw a large crowd, 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 are lost sheep; their shepherds have led them astray, causing them to roam the mountains. They have wandered from mountain to hill; they have forgotten their resting place.
- Ezek 34:3–6You eat the fat, wear the wool, and butcher the fattened sheep, but you do not feed the flock.
- Matt 14:14When He stepped ashore and saw a large crowd, He had compassion on them and healed their sick.
- Zech 10:2For idols speak deceit and diviners see illusions; they tell false dreams and offer empty comfort. Therefore the people wander like sheep, oppressed for lack of a shepherd.
- 2 Chr 18:16So Micaiah declared: “I saw all Israel scattered on the hills like sheep without a shepherd. And the LORD said, ‘These people have no master; let each one return home in peace.’”
- Matt 15:24He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
- Matt 10:6Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel.
- Heb 5:2He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and misguided, since he himself is beset by weakness.
- Heb 4:15For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin.
- 1 Kgs 22:17So Micaiah declared: “I saw all Israel scattered on the hills like sheep without a shepherd. And the LORD said, ‘These people have no master; let each one return home in peace.’”
- Zech 13:7–8Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, against the man who is My Companion, declares the LORD of Hosts. Strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered, and I will turn My hand against the little ones.
- Matt 15:32Then Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, “I have compassion for this crowd, because they have already been with Me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may faint along the way.”
- Isa 56:9–11Come, all you beasts of the field; eat greedily, all you beasts of the forest.
- Zech 11:16For behold, I will raise up a shepherd in the land who will neither care for the lost, nor seek the young, nor heal the broken, nor sustain the healthy, but he will devour the flesh of the choice sheep and tear off their hooves.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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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
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.