We have chosen to isolate this verse in order to highlight the state of mind of Jesus the Messiah toward the crowd that was listening to him.
In Matthew 9.36, “moved with compassion” (or “filled with compassion” in some translations) expresses the intense feeling of pity and mercy that Jesus feels for the crowds. Here is what it means:
Jesus sees the crowd and recognizes that it is “harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”
The Greek term used, “splagchnizomai,” describes a deep emotion felt in the inward parts, symbolizing an intense, visceral compassion.
Jesus the Messiah is deeply aware of the distress and needs of individuals. He understands their situation and recognizes the extent of their sufferings. Aware in particular of the lost condition of the crowd, he devotes himself chiefly to proclaiming the kingdom of God and the salvation of the soul.
This term indicates not only an emotion, but also a will to act to relieve suffering. Jesus is moved to act by love and pity.
The compassion of Jesus stands in contrast to the religious leaders of the time, who often neglected the spiritual and material needs of the people.
The compassion of Jesus leads him to teach, to heal and to feed the crowds, meeting both their physical and spiritual needs.
Jesus the Messiah shows his disciples the importance of compassion in their ministry. They are called to imitate this attitude in their own service to others.
This passage highlights the deep love and concern of Jesus for humanity, and the way in which this compassion motivates him to act for the well-being of others.
We can observe a significant difference between the motives of Jesus the Messiah and those of the religious leaders, in particular the .