Mark 8 · Verse 2

Mark 8:2

I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat:
Mark 8:2, King James Version

Mark 8:2 in other translations

BSB“I have compassion for this crowd, because they have already been with Me three days and have nothing to eat.
WEB“I have compassion on the multitude, because they have stayed with me now three days and have nothing to eat.
ASVI have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat:
YLT‘I have compassion upon the multitude, because now three days they do continue with me, and they have not what they may eat;
DARBYI have compassion on the crowd, because they have stayed with me already three days and they have not anything they can eat,
BBEI have pity for these people because they have been with me now three days, and have no food;
WebsterI have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat:

What does Mark 8:2 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
2. I have compassion on the multitude--an expression of that deep emotion in the Redeemer's heart which always preceded some remarkable interposition for relief. (See Mt 14:14; 20:34; Mr 1:41; Lu 7:13; also Mt 9:36, before the mission of the Twelve; compare Jud 2:18; 10:16). because they have now been with me--in constant attendance. three days, and have nothing to eat:

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 2. I have compassion. I pity their condition. I am disposed to relieve them.

(n) "compassion" Ps 145:8,15, Heb 5:2

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 2 Having nothing to eat - If they had brought any provisions with them, they were now entirely expended; and they stood in immediate need of a supply.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Mark 8:1-10

Our Lord Jesus encouraged the meanest to come to him for life and grace. Christ knows and considers our frames. The bounty of Christ is always ready; to show that, he repeated this miracle. His favours are renewed, as our wants and necessities are. And those need not fear want, who have Christ to live upon by faith, and do so with thanksgiving.

Read the full comment on Mark 8:1-10 →

Mark 8:2 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

σπλαγχνίζομαιsplagchnizomaiI am moved with compassionG4697
ἐπὶepiuponG1909
τὸνtontheG3588
ὄχλονochloncrowdG3793
ὅτιhotibecauseG3754
ἤδηēdēalreadyG2235
ἡμέραιhēmeraidaysG2250
τρεῖςtreisthreeG5140
προσμένουσίνprosmenousinthey continueG4357
μοιmoiwith MeG3165
καὶkaiandG2532
οὐκouknothingG3756
ἔχουσινechousinthey haveG2192
τίtithatG5101
φάγωσιν.phagōsinthey may eat.G5315

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Mark 8:2

  • Matthew 9:36

    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.

  • Micah 7:19

    He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.

  • Psalms 103:13

    Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.

  • Psalms 145:15

    The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season.

  • Hebrews 4:15

    For 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.

  • Mark 6:34

    And 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.

  • Luke 7:13

    And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not.

  • Matthew 20:34

    So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him.

  • Hebrews 5:2

    Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity.

  • Mark 5:19

    Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.

  • Matthew 14:14

    And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.

  • Mark 1:41

    And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
compassion.
1:41; 5:19; 6:34; 9:22; Ps 103:13; 145:8,15; Mic 7:19; Mt 9:36; 14:14
Mt 20:34; Lu 7:13; 15:20; Heb 2:17; 4:15; 5:2
and have.
Mt 4:2-4; 6:32,33; Joh 4:6-8,30-34

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Mark 8:1

    In those days the multitude being very great, and having nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples unto him, and saith unto them,

  • Mark 8:2

    I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat:

  • Mark 8:3

    And if I send them away fasting to their own houses, they will faint by the way: for divers of them came from far.

Read all of Mark 8

Mark 8:2 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Tengo compasión de la multitud, porque ya hace tres días que están conmigo, y no tienen qué comer:
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Je suis ému de compassion envers la foule, car voici trois jours déjà qu’ils demeurent auprès de moi, et ils n’ont rien à manger;
German
Elberfelder 1871		Ich bin innerlich bewegt über die Volksmenge, denn schon drei Tage weilen sie bei mir und haben nichts zu essen;
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Misereor super turbam: quia ecce jam triduo sustinent me, nec habent quod manducent: