Mark 6:34

Mercy and compassion God's love Guidance and decisions

³² So they went away in a boat by themselves to a solitary place.

³³ But many people saw them leaving and recognized them. They ran together on foot from all the towns and arrived before them.

When Jesus stepped ashore and saw a large crowd, He had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And He began to teach them many things.

³⁵ By now the hour was already late. So the disciples came to Jesus and said, “This is a desolate place, and the hour is already late.

³⁶ Dismiss the crowd so they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.”

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: When Jesus stepped ashore and saw a large crowd, He had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And He began to teach them many things.
KJV: 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.
WEB: Jesus came out, saw a great multitude, and he had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.
ASV: 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.
DARBY: And on leaving [the ship] [Jesus] saw a great crowd, and he was moved with compassion for them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things.
BLB: And having gone out, He saw a great crowd and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. And He began to teach them many things.

ÅB: Og da han gikk i land, så han meget folk, og han ynkedes inderlig over dem; for de var lik sauer som ikke har hyrde; og han begynte å lære dem meget.
OTB: Da Jesus gikk i land og så en stor folkemengde, følte han medfølelse for dem, fordi de var som sauer uten hyrde. Så han begynte å undervise dem om mange ting.
B1930: Og da han gikk i land, så han meget folk, og han ynkedes inderlig over dem; for de var lik får som ikke har hyrde; og han begynte å lære dem meget.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Matthew 9:36
When He saw the crowds, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
Read in context
Numbers 27:17
who will go out and come in before them, and who will lead them out and bring them in, so that the congregation of the LORD will not be like sheep without a shepherd.”
Read in context
Luke 9:11
But the crowds found out and followed Him. He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and He healed those who needed healing.
Read in context
2 Chronicles 18:16
So Micaiah declared: “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 return home in peace.’”
Read in context
Isaiah 61:1–3
The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners,
Read in context
Hebrews 4:15
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin.
Read in context
Jeremiah 50:6
My people are lost sheep; their shepherds have led them astray, causing them to roam the mountains. They have wandered from mountain to hill; they have forgotten their resting place.
Read in context
1 Kings 22:17
So Micaiah declared: “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 return home in peace.’”
Read in context