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.
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.
- 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 27:17Which may go out before them, and which may go in before them, and which may lead them out, and which may bring them in; that the congregation of the LORD be not as sheep which have no shepherd.
- Mark 6:34And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.
- Jer 50:6My people hath 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 restingplace.
- Ezek 34:3–6Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed: but ye feed not the flock.
- Matt 14:14And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.
- Zech 10:2For the idols have spoken vanity, and the diviners have seen a lie, and have told false dreams; they comfort in vain: therefore they went their way as a flock, they were troubled, because there was no shepherd.
- 2 Chr 18:16Then he said, I did see all Israel scattered upon the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd: and the LORD said, These have no master; let them return therefore every man to his house in peace.
- Matt 15:24But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
- Matt 10:6But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
- Heb 5:2Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity.
- Heb 4:15For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
- 1 Kgs 22:17And he said, I saw all Israel scattered upon the hills, as sheep that have not a shepherd: and the LORD said, These have no master: let them return every man to his house in peace.
- Zech 13:7–8Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones.
- Matt 15:32Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way.
- Isa 56:9–11All ye beasts of the field, come to devour, yea, all ye beasts in the forest.
- Zech 11:16For, lo, I will raise up a shepherd in the land, which shall not visit those that be cut off, neither shall seek the young one, nor heal that that is broken, nor feed that that standeth still: but he shall eat the flesh of the fat, and tear their claws 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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