Matthew 9:36

Matthew 9:36 in other versions

• King James Version (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.
• English Standard Version (ESV)When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
• New King James Version (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.
• New Living Translation (NLT)When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

Context of Matthew 9:36

34But the Pharisees said, “It is by the prince of demons that he drives out demons.” 35Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

Matthew 9:36 word by word

Ἰδὼν δὲ τοὺς ὄχλους ἐσπλαγχνίσθη περὶ αὐτῶν ὅτι ἦσαν ἐσκυλμένοι καὶ ἐρριμμένοι ὡσεὶ πρόβατα μὴ ἔχοντα ποιμένα.¶Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Butδέde · thenG1161
• when he sawὁράωhoraō · to see: seeG3708
• the multitudesὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• the multitudesὄχλοςochlos · crowdG3793
• he was moved with compassionσπλαγχνίζωsplagchnizomai · to pityG4697
• onπερίperi · aboutG4012
• themαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
• becauseὅτιhoti · that/since: sinceG3754
• theyεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• faintedἐκλύωekluō · to faintG1590
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• scattered abroadῥίπτωrhiptō̄ · to throw/lay downG4496
• asὡσείhōsei · like/as/aboutG5616
• sheepπρόβατονprobaton · sheepG4263
• havingἔχωechō · to have/beG2192
• noμήmē · notG3361
• shepherdποιμήνpoimēn · shepherdG4166

Cross-references for Matthew 9:36

• Matthew 14:14When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.
• Matthew 15:32Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion for these people; 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 collapse on the way.”
• Mark 6:34When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.
• Hebrews 4:15For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.
• Hebrews 5:2He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness.
• Matthew 10:6Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel.
• Matthew 15:24He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.”
• Numbers 27:17to go out and come in before them, one who will lead them out and bring them in, so the Lord’s people will not be like sheep without a shepherd.”
• 1 Kings 22:17Then Micaiah answered, “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 go home in peace.’ ”
• 2 Chronicles 18:16Then Micaiah answered, “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 go home in peace.’ ”
• Isaiah 56:9Come, all you beasts of the field, come and devour, all you beasts of the forest!
• Jeremiah 50:6“My people have been lost sheep; their shepherds have led them astray and caused them to roam on the mountains. They wandered over mountain and hill and forgot their own resting place.
• Ezekiel 34:3You eat the curds, clothe yourselves with the wool and slaughter the choice animals, but you do not take care of the flock.
• Zechariah 10:2The idols speak deceitfully, diviners see visions that lie; they tell dreams that are false, they give comfort in vain. Therefore the people wander like sheep oppressed for lack of a shepherd.
• Zechariah 11:16For I am going to raise up a shepherd over the land who will not care for the lost, or seek the young, or heal the injured, or feed the healthy, but will eat the meat of the choice sheep, tearing off their hooves.
• Zechariah 13:7“Awake, sword, against my shepherd, against the man who is close to me!” declares the Lord Almighty. “Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered, and I will turn my hand against the little ones.

Commentaries on Matthew 9:36

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 36Moved with compassion - , from , 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. 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 , to draw; the whole intestinal canal…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 36But when he saw the multitudes - That followed him from place to place. When he saw their anxiety to be instructed and saved. He was moved with compassion on them - He pitied them. Because they fainted - The word used here refers to the weariness and fatigue which results from labor 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 the weight of their…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 35-38Verses 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 sheep scattered, as men…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 36Like sheep without a shepherd: Jesus grieved the failure of the Pharisees to guide the people with care (see Matthew 12:11–12; 18:12). Their constant attacks against him showed their hard-hearted rejection of God. Because of this neglect and mistreatment, the crowds suffered greatly (10:5–6; 15:12–14; 23:4; Zechariah 11:16).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 3636. 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…Read the comment

Topics related to Matthew 9:36

• Jesus, the Christ
• Sheep

In the dictionaries

• Scattered Abroad
• Bridechamber
• Cheer
• Comfort
• Daughter
• Eat
• Garment
• Harvest
• Hem
• Issue

Commentaries on Matthew 9

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Catena Aurea
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• John Lightfoot Commentary
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings