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Matthew 9:36

Mercy and compassionJesus ChristExhaustionLoneliness

34 But the Pharisees said, “It is by the prince of demons that He drives out demons.”

35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness.

When He saw the crowds, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

37 Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.

38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest.”

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Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
When He saw the crowds, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
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.
WEB
But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion for them because they were harassed and scattered, like sheep without a shepherd.
ASV
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.
DARBY
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.
BLB
And having seen the crowds, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were wearied and cast away, as sheep not having a shepherd.
ÅB
Og da han så folket, syntes han inderlig synd på dem; for de var utslitte og forkomne, som sauer uten en hyrde.
OTB
Da han så folkemengdene, ble han grepet av medfølelse for dem, fordi de var plaget og hjelpeløse, som sauer uten hyrde.
B1930
Og da han så folket, ynkedes han inderlig over dem; for de var ille medfarne og forkomne, lik får som ikke har hyrde.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • 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.”

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  • Mark 6:34

    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.

    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

  • Matthew 14:14

    When He stepped ashore and saw a large crowd, He had compassion on them and healed their sick.

    Read in context

  • Ezekiel 34:3–6

    You eat the fat, wear the wool, and butcher the fattened sheep, but you do not feed the flock.

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  • Zechariah 10:2

    For idols speak deceit and diviners see illusions; they tell false dreams and offer empty comfort. Therefore the people wander like sheep, oppressed for lack of a shepherd.

    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.’”

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  • Hebrews 5:2

    He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and misguided, since he himself is beset by weakness.

    Read in context