Matthew 9 · Verse 36

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.
Matthew 9:36, King James Version

Matthew 9:36 in other translations

BSBWhen He saw the crowds, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
WEBBut when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion for them because they were harassed and scattered, like sheep without a shepherd.
ASVBut when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion for them, because they were distressed and scattered, as sheep not having a shepherd.
YLTAnd having seen the multitudes, he was moved with compassion for them, that they were faint and cast aside, as sheep not having a shepherd,
DARBYBut when he saw the crowds he was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed, and cast away as sheep not having a shepherd.
BBEBut when he saw all the people he was moved with pity for them, because they were troubled and wandering like sheep without a keeper.
WebsterBut when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.

What does Matthew 9:36 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
36. But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted--This reading, however, has hardly any authority at all. The true reading doubtless is, "were harassed." and were scattered abroad--rather, "lying about," "abandoned," or "neglected." as sheep, having no shepherd--their pitiable condition as wearied under bodily fatigue, a vast disorganized mass, being but a faint picture of their wretchedness as the victims of pharisaic guidance; their souls uncared for, yet drawn after and hanging upon Him. This moved the Redeemer's compassion.

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

Barnes' Notes
Verse 36. Because they fainted. The word used here refers to the weariness and fatigue which results from labour and being burdened. He saw the people burdened with the rites of religion and the doctrines of the Pharisees; sinking down under their ignorance and traditions, and neglected by those who ought to have been enlightened teachers, scattered and driven out without care and attention. With great beauty, he compares them to sheep wandering without a shepherd. Judea was a land of flocks and herds. The faithful shepherd, by day and night, was with his flock, He defended it, led it to green pastures, and beside the still waters. Without his care they would stray away. They were in danger of wild beasts. They panted in the summer sun, and knew not where was the cooling shade and stream. So, said he, is it with this people. No wonder that the compassionate Redeemer Was moved with pity!

(1) "they fainted" or, "were tired and laid down" (q) "having no shepherd" Nu 27:17, 1Kgs 22:17, Eze 34:5, Zech 10:2

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 36 Moved with compassion - Εσπλαγχνισθη, from σπλαγχνον, a bowel. The Jews esteemed the bowels to be the seat of sympathy and the tender passions, and so applied the organ to the sense. Επλαγχνιζομαι signifies, says Mintert, "to be moved with pity from the very inmost bowels. It is an emphatic word, signifying a vehement affection of commiseration, by which the bowels and especially the heart is moved." Both this verb and the noun seem to be derived from σπαω, to draw; the whole intestinal canal, in the peristaltic motion of the bowels, being drawn, affected, and agitated with the sight of a distressed or miserable object. Pity increases this motion of the bowels, and produces considerable pain: hence σπλαγχνιζομαι, to have the bowels moved, signifies to feel pity or compassion at seeing the miseries of others. They fainted - Instead of εκλελυμενοι, fainted, all the best MSS., versions, and fathers, read εσκυλμενοι, grieved and melancholy. Kypke says σκυλλειν properly signifies, to pluck off the hair, as persons do in extreme sorrow or distress. The margin says, They were tired and lay down. And were scattered abroad - Ερριμμενοι, thrown down, or, all along. They were utterly neglected as to the interests of their souls, and rejected by the proud and disdained Pharisees. This people (οχλος, this mob) that knoweth not the law, is accursed, Joh 7:49. Thus those execrable men spoke of the souls that God had made, and of whom they should have been the instructors. Those teachers, in name, have left their successors behind them; but, as in the days of Christ, so now, God has in his mercy rescued the flock out of the hands of those who only fed upon their flesh, and clothed themselves with their wool. The days in which a man was obliged to give his property to what was called The Church, for the salvation of his soul, Christ being left out of the question, are, thank God, nearly over and gone. Jesus is the true Shepherd; without him there is nothing but fainting, fatigue, vexation, and dispersion. O that we may be led out and in by him, and find pasture!

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Matthew 9:35-38

Jesus visited not only the great and wealthy cities, but the poor, obscure villages; and there he preached, there he healed. The souls of the meanest in the world are as precious to Christ, and should be so to us, as the souls of those who make the greatest figure. There were priests, Levites, and scribes, all over the land; but they were idol shepherds, Zec 11:17; therefore Christ had compassion on the people as…

Read the full comment on Matthew 9:35-38 →

Matthew 9:36 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.

ἸδὼνIdōnHaving seenG1492
δὲdenowG1161
τοὺςtoustheG3588
ὄχλουςochlouscrowdsG3793
ἐσπλαγχνίσθηesplagchnisthēHe was moved with compassionG4697
περὶperiforG4012
αὐτῶνautōnthemG846
ὅτιhotibecauseG3754
ἦσανēsanthey wereG1510
ἐσκυλμένοιeskulmenoitroubledG4660
καὶkaiandG2532
ἐρριμμένοιerrimmenoicast awayG4496
ὡσεὶhōseiasG5616
πρόβαταprobatasheepG4263
μὴmēnotG3361
ἔχονταechontahavingG2192
ποιμένα.¶poimenaa shepherd.G4166

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

Cross references for Matthew 9:36

  • Numbers 27:17

    Which 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 6:34

    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.

  • Jeremiah 50:6

    My 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.

  • Matthew 14:14

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

  • Ezekiel 34:3-6

    Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed: but ye feed not the flock. The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them. And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered. My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill: yea, my flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none did search or seek after them.

  • Zechariah 10:2

    For 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 Chronicles 18:16

    Then 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Matthew 15:24

    But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

  • Matthew 15:32

    Then 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.

  • Matthew 10:6

    But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
when.
14:14; 15:32; Mr 6:34; Heb 4:15; 5:2
fainted, etc. or, were tired and lay down. as.
10:6; 15:24; Nu 27:17; 1Ki 22:17; 2Ch 18:16; Isa 56:9-11; Jer 50:6
Eze 34:3-6; Zec 10:2; 11:16; 13:7,8

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

Context

  • Matthew 9:35

    And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.

  • 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.

  • Matthew 9:37

    Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;

Read all of Matthew 9

Matthew 9:36 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Y viendo las gentes, tuvo compasión de ellas; porque estaban derramadas y esparcidas como ovejas que no tienen pastor.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Et voyant les foules, il fut ému de compassion pour elles, parce qu’ils étaient las et dispersés, comme des brebis qui n’ont pas de berger.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Als er aber die Volksmenge sah, wurde er innerlich bewegt über sie, weil sie erschöpft und verschmachtet waren wie Schafe, die keinen Hirten haben.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Videns autem turbas, misertus est eis: quia erant vexati, et jacentes sicut oves non habentes pastorem.