Jesus' Compassion for the Marginalized in the Gospels
Jesus frequently demonstrated compassion for those on the margins of society, a theme consistently highlighted throughout the Gospels. This compassion was not merely an emotion but often led to direct action, addressing both physical and spiritual needs. For instance, when Jesus saw large crowds, he was "moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and scattered, like sheep without a shepherd" [2]. Similarly, after seeing a great multitude, he had compassion on them "because they were like sheep without a shepherd, and he began to teach them many things" [1]. This suggests that Jesus' compassion was often a catalyst for his teaching and ministry, aimed at guiding those who lacked direction.
Jesus' compassion extended to individuals suffering from physical ailments. In one instance, two blind men called out to him, and "Jesus, being moved with compassion, touched their eyes; and immediately their eyes received their sight, and they followed him" [3]. This act of healing, driven by compassion, restored their sight and integrated them into his following. The concept of showing kindness to those in distress is presented as a "cardinal virtue" in Matthew's Gospel, with Jesus emphasizing mercy towards others as a prerequisite for receiving God's mercy [8].
The marginalized included the poor, a status Jesus himself experienced. John Gill notes that the Messiah was "poor and sorrowful," born of poor parents, and lived a life of humility and poverty [6]. Jesus' identification with the poor is further emphasized by the observation that he "became poor for our sakes, that we might be enriched by his poverty" [7]. This personal experience likely deepened his empathy for those in similar circumstances. He is described as a "merciful King, as well as High Priest, who is touched with a feeling of his people's infirmities" [9].
Jesus' compassion also manifested in practical care, such as when he recognized the physical needs of his followers. He stated, "I have compassion on the multitude... because they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat" [10]. This concern for their hunger led him to miraculously provide food. The Apostle Paul later exhorted believers to exercise compassion towards the afflicted, the chastened, enemies, the poor, and the weak, reflecting the example set by Christ [4]. Jesus' willingness to associate with the despised, such as tax collectors and sinners, further illustrates his commitment to those on the fringes of society [5]. His life exemplified humility, from his birth to his service, including washing his disciples' feet [5].
Sources
- Mark “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. -- Mark 6:34”
- Matthew “But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and scattered, like sheep without a shepherd. -- Matthew 9:36”
- Matthew “Jesus, being moved with compassion, touched their eyes; and immediately their eyes received their sight, and they followed him. -- Matthew 20:34”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Communion With God — Christ set an example of -- Lu 19:41,42. Exhortation to -- Ro 12:15; 1Pe 3:8. Exercise towards The afflicted. -- Job 6:14; Heb 13:3. The chastened. -- Isa 22:4; Jer 9:1. Enemies. -- Ps 35:13. The poor. -- Pr 19:17. The weak. -- 2Co 11:29; Ga 6:2. Saints. -- 1Co 12:25,26. Inseparable from love to God -- 1Jo 3:17; Joh 4:20. Motives to The compassion of God. -- Mt 13:27,33. The sense of our infirmities. -- Heb 5:2. The wicked made to feel, for saints -- Ps 106:46. Promise to those who show -- Pr 19:17; Mt 10:42. Illustrated -- Lu 10:33; 15:20. Exemp”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Humility of Christ, The — Declared by himself -- Mt 11:29. Exhibited in his Taking our nature. -- Php 2:7; Heb 2:16. Birth. -- Lu 2:4-7. Subjection to his parents. -- Lu 2:51. Station in life. -- Mt 13:55; Joh 9:29. Poverty. -- Lu 9:58; 2Co 8:9. Partaking of our infirmities. -- Heb 4:15; 5:7. Submitting to ordinances. -- Mt 3:13-15. Becoming a servant. -- Mt 20:28; Lu 22:27; Php 2:7. Associating with the despised. -- Mt 9:10,11; Lu 15:1,2. Refusing honours. -- Joh 5:41; 6:15. Entry into Jerusalem. -- Zec 9:9; Mt 21:5,7. Washing his disciples' feet. -- Joh 13:5. Obedi”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 69:29: But I am poor and sorrowful,.... The Messiah was poor in a literal sense, as it was foretold he should, Zac 9:9; so he was in his private life; born of poor parents, and brought up in a mean way: and in his public life, having no certain dwelling place, and ministered to by others; and when on the cross, being stripped of his garments; and nothing to eat and drink but gall and vinegar; and nothing to leave to his mother, but commits her to the care of his beloved disciple. Though this phrase in general may denote the low estate of Christ in his humiliation, being in ”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 41:1: Blessed is he that considereth the poor,.... Not the poor of the world in common, nor poor saints in particular, but some single poor man; for the word is in the singular number, and designs our Lord Jesus Christ, who, in Psa 40:17, is said to be "poor and needy": and so read the Septuagint, Vulgate Latin, and Ethiopic versions here; who became poor for our sakes, that we might be enriched by his poverty; being born of poor parents, educated in a mean manner, and in public life was ministered to by others: the word (q) here used signifies one that is attenuated, weak,”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 5:7: 5:7 Jesus made a cardinal virtue of being merciful, that is, showing kindness to those in distress (see 6:12, 14-15; 9:13; 12:7; 18:23-35; 23:23; 25:31-46). Those who are merciful now will find God’s mercy in the final judgment.”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 72:13: He shall spare the poor and needy,.... Pity them, have mercy and compassion on them, and sympathize with them; such an one is Christ, a merciful King, as well as High Priest, who is touched with a feeling of his people's infirmities, and who in his love and pity has redeemed them; and shall save the souls of the needy; not to the exclusion of their bodies, which are also his care and charge, are bought with his blood, are preserved by him, will be raised from the dead, and made like his glorious body; but souls are mentioned as being the most excellent part of man,”
- Mark (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Mark 8:2: I have compassion on the multitude,.... Christ is a compassionate Saviour both of the bodies and souls of men: he had compassion on the souls of this multitude, and therefore had been teaching them sound doctrine and he had compassion on the bodies of many of them, and had healed them of their diseases; and his bowels yearned towards them all; because, says he, they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat; for if they brought any food with them, it was all spent, and they were in a wilderness, where nothing was to be got; where they had no house to ”