Matthew 9:36

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Matthew 9:35-38

Here is, I. A conclusion of the foregoing account of Christ's preaching and miracles (Matt. 9:35); He went about all the cities teaching and healing. This is the same we had before, Matt. 4:23. There it ushers in the more particular record of Christ's preaching (Matt. 5:1-7:29) and of his cures (Matt. 8:1-9:38), and here it is elegantly repeated in the close of these instances, as the quod erat demonstrandum?the point to be proved; as if the evangelist should say, ?Now I hope I have made it... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 9:36

9:36 When he saw the crowds, he was moved with compassion to the depths of his being, for they were bewildered and dejected, like sheep who have no shepherd. When Jesus saw the crowd of ordinary men and women, he was moved with compassion. The word which is used for moved with compassion (splangchnistheis, Greek #4697 ) is the strongest word for pity in the Greek language. It is formed from the word splangchna ( Greek #4698 ), which means the bowels, and it describes the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 9:36

But when he saw the multitudes ,.... As he took his circuit through the several cities, towns, and villages, he made his observations upon the large numbers that flocked to his ministry, and seemed to be desirous of spiritual instructions, in what an unhappy and melancholy situation they were; and he was moved with compassion on them : his bowels yearned for them, he was touched with a feeling of their infirmities, as the merciful high priest, the good shepherd, and faithful prophet;... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 9:36

Moved with compassion - Εσπλαγχνισθη , from σπλαγχνον, 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. Επλαγχνιζομαι 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 σπαω , to draw; the whole... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 9:36

Verse 36 36.He was moved with compassion towards them Hence we infer, first, how great was the indolence of the priests, who, though they were scattered over the whole country, in order to enlighten the people with heavenly doctrine, were slow-bellies, (Titus 1:12.) True, they boasted that they were superintendents of the people; and the number of those who gloried in that title was not small. Yet not one of them does Christ own to be a pastor. A similar confusion may now be observed in Popery,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 9:35-38

The missionary work of Christ. I. HIS JOURNEYS THROUGH GALILEE 1 . He went everywhere. His activity was unceasing. He visited every city and village in that thickly populated district. It was a new thing in the history of the world—a Missionary of salvation sent from heaven, spending his time in ceaseless journeys, in constant wearying labour, and that not for gum, not for pleasure, but for love's sake, to win dying souls to God and heaven. It is a high example to the ministers... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 9:36

But when he saw the multitudes . The substance of this verse is found in Mark 6:34 on the return of the apostles, equivalent to our Matthew 14:13 , seq. (cf. supra ) . According to the context, the multitudes here spoken of are those of the various cities and villages through which he had passed. He was moved with compassion on ( for , Revised Version) them ( ἐσπλαγχνίσθη περὶ αὐτῶν ). After the vivid Hebrew metaphor ( Genesis 43:30 ), which the LXX .... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 9:36-38

The sheep and the harvest. Jesus is moved with compassion at the sight of the multitude. There is always something pathetic in such a sight. The needs of the people made it especially so for Christ. To him the people are of deepest interest. His heart goes out, not to favourites, not to a few select, refined, or saintly souls, but to the multitude. As he gazes at the great moving mass of humanity, it calls up to his mind two images. First, it seems like a flock of sheep without a shepherd.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 9:36-38

The mournful picture redeemed by compassion. Notice, in introduction, how the language which here describes the compassion that moved the vast heart of Christ leads us to most grateful apprehension of the sweet condescending sympathy (not only of Jesus Christ with humanity, but) of Jesus Christ's humanity with our own. How delicately in touch with this latter is it said that the fountains of compassion in that vast heart were freshly opened, freshly drawn upon, as Jesus "saw;" saw " the ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 9:36-38

The impressions produced by multitudes. "When he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion." Notice how his daily work of healing must have brought Christ sympathetically near to all the sorrows of men. Illustrate from the itinerating work of the Eastern hakim, or physician. It is usual to bring out all the sick of a district when the hakim arrives. Compare the crowds in our marketplaces round the quack-medicine vendor. I. THE IMPRESSION MADE ON CHRIST BY THE SIGHT ... read more

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