“I have compassion on the crowd, because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus’ deep emotion isn’t just about their hunger, but that they've stayed with him for three days with nothing. This shows his compassion is rooted in their persistent devotion and the sacrifice they’ve already made to be there. It’s a profound care for their entire well-being, not just an immediate physical need.
“I have compassion on the crowd, because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus has just finished teaching a large crowd in a remote area, and his disciples, noticing the late hour, are concerned about sending them away hungry. This verse reveals Jesus' deep empathy for their physical need, recognizing they've been with him for three days with no food and would struggle to make it home if sent away fasting. This sets the stage for the miracle of feeding the four thousand, demonstrating Jesus' willingness to meet desperate human needs.
When Jesus saw the hungry crowd, His heart didn't just ache—it was deeply moved. What does this powerful emotion tell us about His character?
The Greek word Jesus uses here, 'splagchnizomai,' is incredibly rich. It’s not just a passing sympathy; it speaks of a deep, visceral stirring in the very core of His being, like inner organs churning with empathy. This word was used to describe the deepest human affections. Jesus’ compassion isn’t a detached pity; it's an active, heartfelt response to suffering. He feels their need not just intellectually, but profoundly, like a parent feeling their child’s hunger.
This crowd had been with Jesus for three days. What does their commitment, and His response, reveal about spiritual discipleship?
The fact that these people stayed with Jesus for three days without food is remarkable. It highlights their intense desire to hear Him and be near Him. They endured hardship—no food, likely no shelter, and certainly exhaustion—simply for the chance to learn from Him. Jesus’ compassion is ignited by their persistence. He recognizes not just their physical hunger, but the profound spiritual hunger that kept them there. Their commitment leads to His miraculous provision.
Understand the original words
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splagchnizomai · Greek Verb
A deep, heartfelt sympathetic awareness of another's suffering or need, combined with a desire to alleviate that distress. In the Gospels, it is a uniquely divine trait attributed to Jesus, moving Him to act in mercy and power.
This miracle occurs in the Decapolis region, east of the Sea of Galilee, suggesting Jesus is ministering to a mixed population of Jews and Gentiles. The repeated feeding miracles highlight Jesus' deep compassion for human need and his divine provision, even in Gentile territories.
c. AD 28-30
Jesus' Public Ministry Begins
Jesus begins his public ministry, teaching, healing, and gathering disciples across Galilee and surrounding regions.
c. AD 30
Feeding of the Five Thousand
Jesus miraculously feeds about 5,000 men (plus women and children) with five loaves and two fish, demonstrating his power and compassion.
c. AD 30
Jesus Walks on Water
Jesus walks on water near the Sea of Galilee, reinforcing his authority and surprising his disciples.
c. AD 30— this verse
Jesus Feeds the Four Thousand
Jesus, seeing a large crowd that has been with him for three days and has no food, miraculously feeds about 4,000 men (plus women and children) with seven loaves and a few fish.
c. AD 30
Jesus Heals a Deaf Man at Decapolis
Jesus heals a deaf man in the region of the Decapolis, further revealing his healing power.
c. AD 30
Jesus Predicts His Suffering
Jesus begins to teach his disciples about his impending suffering, death, and resurrection, which they struggle to understand.
This passage parallels Jesus' immediate compassion for a hungry crowd, highlighting His tender heart towards human need before performing a miracle.
Luke 9:11This account of the same event emphasizes Jesus teaching the crowds and healing the sick, underscoring His holistic care for people both physically and spiritually.
Isaiah 55:1-2This prophecy calls people to 'come... buy wine and milk without money and without price,' echoing Jesus' provision of spiritual and physical nourishment that satisfies the deepest hunger.
John 6:5-13This feeding miracle, the feeding of the five thousand, shows a similar pattern of Jesus testing His disciples and miraculously providing food, demonstrating His power and care for those who follow Him.
vincentMark 8:2: "I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat:"
I have compassion (σπλαγχνίξομαι)A peculiar verb, from σπλάγχνα, the inward parts, especially the nobler entrails - the heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys. These came gradually to denote the seat of the affections, like our word heart. This explains the frequent use of the word bowels in the A. V. in the sense of tender mercy, affection, compassion. See Luke 1:78; 2 Corinthian…
bengelMark 8:2: "I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat:"
Mark 8:2 . Ἡμέραι , days ) The nominative of time, there is , or there are , being understood, forms an absolute mode of expression, Luke 9:28 .
Jesus’ deep emotion isn’t just about their hunger, but that they've stayed with him for three days with nothing. This shows his compassion is rooted in their persistent devotion and the sacrifice they’ve already made to be there. It’s a profound care for their entire well-being, not just an immediate physical need.
Jesus has just finished teaching a large crowd in a remote area, and his disciples, noticing the late hour, are concerned about sending them away hungry. This verse reveals Jesus' deep empathy for their physical need, recognizing they've been with him for three days with no food and would struggle to make it home if sent away fasting. This sets the stage for the miracle of feeding the four thousand, demonstrating Jesus' willingness to meet desperate human needs.
Jesus has just finished teaching a large crowd in a remote area, and his disciples, noticing the late hour, are concerned about sending them away hungry. This verse reveals Jesus' deep empathy for their physical need, recognizing they've been with him for three days with no food and would struggle to make it home if sent away fasting. This sets the stage for the miracle of feeding the four thousand, demonstrating Jesus' willingness to meet desperate human needs.
"“I have compassion on the crowd, because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat." — Jesus’ deep emotion isn’t just about their hunger, but that they've stayed with him for three days with nothing. This shows his compassion is rooted in their persistent devotion and the sacrifice t…
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Last reviewed October 2026