Gospel of Matthew Compassion and Forgiveness Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter:Verse)

Quote #4

Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick. (NRSV 14:13-14)

When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities. And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick. (KJV 14:13-14)

Sometimes being around a whole crowd of people is the last thing you want to do. Especially when you're just looking for some me-time. The fact that Jesus still finds compassion for the people who just won't leave him alone is pretty impressive.

Quote #5

Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, "Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon." [...] he answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." But she came and knelt before him, saying, "Lord, help me." he answered, "It is not fair to take the children's food and throw it to the dogs." She said, "Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from the master's table." Then Jesus answered her, "Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish." (NRSV 15:21-28)

Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coast of Tyre and Sidon. And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. [...] he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dog. And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their master's table. Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. (KJV 15:21-28)

Check it out: this lady responds to one of Jesus's parable with her own parable. Fancy. And guess what? It works. Looks like faith is rewarded with compassion.

Quote #6

Then Jesus called his disciples to him and said, "I have compassion for the crowd, because they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat; and I do not want to send them away hungry, for they might faint on the way." (NRSV 15:32)

Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way. (KJV 15:32)

Jesus has a soft spot for his followers, especially when they make sacrifices—like not eating—in order to hang out with him. Why do you think Jesus's acts of compassion are always such grand gestures, like feeding the masses or healing the sick? Or is he compassionate in smaller ways, too?