Devine Scripture

Matthew 9:36

What does Matthew 9:36 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 9:36 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 9:36 means

When Jesus saw the multitudes, He was deeply moved with compassion. He observed them as "distressed and scattered, as sheep not having a shepherd." This poignant imagery reveals His profound empathy for their spiritual and physical plight—they were aimless, vulnerable, and without proper guidance. His compassion stems from a recognition of their desperate need for leadership, teaching, and care, seeing beyond their physical gatherings to their inner spiritual condition, calling out for true leadership.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion for them, because they were distressed and scattered, as sheep not having a shepherd.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion for them, because they were distressed and scattered, as sheep not having a shepherd.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But when he saw all the people he was moved with pity for them, because they were troubled and wandering like sheep without a keeper.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And having seen the multitudes, he was moved with compassion for them, that they were faint and cast aside, as sheep not having a shepherd,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And seeing the multitudes, he had compassion on them: because they were distressed, and lying like sheep that have no shepherd.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But 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.

Context

This verse powerfully describes Jesus' compassionate response to the vast needs of the gathered multitudes. It immediately follows the summary of His widespread teaching and healing ministry, underscoring the deep impact these observations had on Him. This profound empathy is the emotional catalyst for His subsequent instruction to His disciples, moving from observation to a call for action regarding the spiritual harvest.

v.35And Jesus went about all the cities and the villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of disease and all manner of sickness.

v.36This passage

v.37Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest indeed is plenteous, but the laborers are few.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Matthew 15:24

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

  • Hebrews 5:2

    who can bear gently with the ignorant and erring, for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity;

  • Ezekiel 34:3

    Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill the fatlings; but ye feed not the sheep.

  • Zechariah 13:7

    Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith Jehovah of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered; and I will turn my hand upon the little ones.

  • Matthew 14:14

    And he came forth, and saw a great multitude, and he had compassion on them, and healed their sick.

  • Mark 6:34

    And he came forth and saw a great multitude, and he had compassion on them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.

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