Mark 8:2

KJV

I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat:

KJV (with Strong's)

I have compassion {G4697} on {G1909} the multitude {G3793}, because {G3754} they have {G4357} now {G2235} been {G4357} with me {G3427} three {G5140} days {G2250}, and {G2532} have {G2192} nothing {G3756}{G5101} to eat {G5315}:

Complete Jewish Bible

"I feel sorry for these people, because they have been with me three days, and now they have nothing to eat.

Berean Standard Bible

“I have compassion for this crowd, because they have already been with Me three days and have nothing to eat.

American Standard Version

I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 8:2 captures Jesus' profound and visceral compassion for the large crowd that had been following Him for three days in a remote area, leaving them without food. This declaration of empathy serves as the immediate precursor to the miraculous feeding of the four thousand, underscoring Jesus' attentiveness to both the spiritual and physical needs of humanity and demonstrating His divine power to provide in dire circumstances.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Mark 8:2 is strategically placed immediately before the second miraculous feeding of a multitude, often referred to as the feeding of the four thousand. It follows a period of intense ministry in Gentile regions, specifically the Decapolis, where Jesus had just healed a deaf and mute man ( [Mark 7:31-37](/mark/7-31-37 "Mark 7:31-37 - Healing of the Deaf and Mute Man") ). This verse highlights Jesus' initiative in addressing the crowd's physical need, contrasting with the first feeding ( [Mark 6:30-44](/mark/6-30-44 "Mark 6:30-44 - Feeding of the Five Thousand") ) where the disciples initially suggested sending the people away. Here, Jesus proactively identifies the problem, setting the stage for another profound demonstration of His power and compassion, reinforcing His identity as the Messiah who cares for all people, Jew and Gentile alike.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting in the Decapolis, a region predominantly Gentile, is significant. Unlike the Jewish crowds who might have brought provisions or expected to find food in Jewish towns, this diverse multitude had likely traveled from various villages, possibly unprepared for an extended stay. Being "three days" away from home without food would have been a severe hardship, leading to genuine physical weakness and potential collapse on the journey back. In ancient agrarian societies, food scarcity was a constant concern, and hospitality, including providing food for travelers, was a deeply ingrained cultural value. Jesus' concern aligns with and surpasses these cultural expectations, demonstrating a divine level of care for the vulnerable.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully introduces several key themes prevalent in the Gospel of Mark and the broader biblical narrative. Central is **Jesus' Compassion**, depicted by the Greek term _splagchnizomai_, indicating a deep, gut-level empathy that moves Him to action. This compassion is not merely emotional but leads directly to **Divine Provision**, showcasing Jesus' ability to meet fundamental human needs, echoing God's provision for Israel in the wilderness ( [Exodus 16](/exodus/16 "Exodus 16 - Manna from Heaven") ). The narrative also subtly reinforces **Jesus' Messianic Identity** as the one who brings sustenance and life, a theme further developed in His teachings about Himself as the "bread of life" ( [John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life") ). Furthermore, the setting in Gentile territory underscores the **Inclusivity of God's Kingdom**, demonstrating that Jesus' ministry and provision extend beyond ethnic or religious boundaries.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **compassion (Greek, _splanchnízomai'_):** From G4697, this word literally means "to have the bowels yearn," signifying a deep, visceral feeling of sympathy and pity. It is a powerful term used in the New Testament to describe Jesus' profound emotional response to human suffering, whether physical, spiritual, or emotional. It implies a deep identification with the plight of others, moving one to act. Here, it highlights the depth of Jesus' empathy for the physically vulnerable crowd.
* **multitude (Greek, _óchlos'_)::** From G3793, this term refers to a throng or a large, undifferentiated crowd of people. In the Gospels, it often denotes the general populace who followed Jesus, distinct from His disciples or specific groups like the Pharisees. The use of "multitude" emphasizes the sheer number of people Jesus was concerned about, highlighting the scale of His compassion and the impending miracle.
* **been with (Greek, _prosménō'_):** From G4357, this word means "to stay further," "remain in a place," or "persevere in." It conveys the idea of sustained presence and adherence. In this context, it emphasizes the dedication and endurance of the crowd, who had remained with Jesus for an extended period (three days), indicating their eagerness to hear His teaching and experience His presence, despite the lack of provisions.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I have compassion on the multitude,"**: This opening clause reveals Jesus' initiative and the depth of His emotional response. The Greek word for "compassion" (G4697, _splanchnízomai_) signifies a deep, gut-level empathy, indicating that Jesus was profoundly moved by the people's plight. It is not a casual concern but a powerful, internal yearning that drives His subsequent actions.
* **"because they have now been with me three days,"**: This clause provides the reason for Jesus' compassion. The phrase "been with me three days" (G4357, _prosménō_ and G5140, _treîs_ G2250, _hēméra_) highlights the crowd's sustained devotion and endurance. They had spent a considerable amount of time away from their homes and resources, demonstrating their commitment to Jesus' teaching and presence. This extended period underscores the severity of their hunger.
* **"and have nothing to eat:"**: This final clause states the critical problem. The phrase "nothing to eat" (G3756, _ou_ G5101, _tís_ G5315, _phágō_) emphasizes the direness of their physical condition. After three days without sustenance, their situation was precarious, making them weak and vulnerable. This sets the immediate stage for Jesus' miraculous intervention, demonstrating His power to provide where human resources are utterly lacking.

#### Literary Devices
Mark 8:2 employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is **Empathy**, as Jesus explicitly states, "I have compassion." This is not merely a descriptive statement but an active expression of His character, setting the emotional tone for the narrative. The verse also serves as a powerful instance of **Foreshadowing**, directly preceding and necessitating the miracle of the feeding of the four thousand. It builds anticipation for Jesus' divine intervention. Furthermore, there is an element of **Echo** or **Parallelism** with the earlier feeding of the five thousand ( [Mark 6:30-44](/mark/6-30-44 "Mark 6:30-44 - Feeding of the Five Thousand") ), subtly reminding the reader of Jesus' consistent character and power, while also highlighting the distinct circumstances (different numbers, location, and Jesus' proactive compassion). The stark statement "have nothing to eat" also functions as **Hyperbole** to emphasize the extreme deprivation, intensifying the need for miraculous provision.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 8:2 is a profound theological statement on the character of God revealed in Jesus Christ. It underscores that God is not distant or uncaring but intimately concerned with the practical, even physical, needs of humanity. Jesus' compassion ( _splagchnízomai_ ) is not a fleeting emotion but a deep, visceral empathy that drives Him to action, demonstrating that divine love extends to the most basic human necessities. This verse connects the Old Testament theme of God as provider (e.g., manna in the wilderness) with the New Testament revelation of Jesus as the ultimate source of sustenance, both physical and spiritual. It challenges believers to cultivate a similar Christ-like compassion, recognizing that genuine faith expresses itself in tangible care for those in need, mirroring God's own heart for the vulnerable.

* [Matthew 9:36](/matthew/9-36 "Matthew 9:36 - Jesus' Compassion for the Harassed Multitudes")
* [Luke 10:33](/luke/10-33 "Luke 10:33 - The Compassion of the Good Samaritan")
* [Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus, Our Sympathetic High Priest")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 8:2 invites us to reflect deeply on the nature of God's love and our call to emulate it. Jesus' compassion for the hungry multitude, even before they expressed their need, reveals a God who is intimately aware of our struggles and proactively seeks to meet them. This challenges any notion that God is only concerned with our spiritual lives, demonstrating His holistic care for our well-being. For believers, this verse serves as a powerful model: just as Jesus was moved to action by the physical hunger of the crowd, so too should we be moved by the various needs—physical, emotional, spiritual, social—of those around us. It calls us to cultivate a deep, gut-level empathy that translates into practical service, reminding us that true discipleship involves seeing the needs of others through the eyes of Christ and responding with generosity and care, trusting that God will empower and provide for our efforts to serve.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus' proactive compassion in Mark 8:2 challenge my understanding of God's care for my daily needs?**
* **In what specific ways can I cultivate a more "gut-level" compassion (_splagchnízomai_) for the people in my community who are struggling?**
* **What practical steps can I take this week to respond to a physical or emotional need I observe, mirroring Jesus' action in this passage?**

### FAQ

**Why did Jesus wait three days to address the crowd's hunger?**

Answer: The text does not explicitly state why Jesus waited three days, but several interpretations are possible. First, the "three days" emphasizes the crowd's sustained devotion and perseverance in following Jesus, highlighting their deep hunger for His teaching. Second, it intensifies the direness of their physical need, making the subsequent miracle of provision even more profound and undeniable. It demonstrates that Jesus was fully aware of their condition and allowed the situation to develop to a point where His divine intervention would be clearly seen as miraculous and necessary, not merely convenient. It also serves as a test or a teaching moment for the disciples, though their response is not recorded in this specific verse.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 8:2, with Jesus' profound compassion for the hungry multitude, finds its ultimate fulfillment in His identity and work as the Christ. Jesus' declaration, "I have compassion on the multitude," foreshadows His role as the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep ( [John 10:11](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - The Good Shepherd") ), not only providing for their physical needs but, more significantly, for their eternal salvation. The miraculous feeding that follows this verse, like the first feeding, points to Jesus as the true "Bread of Life" ( [John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life") ) who satisfies the deepest spiritual hunger of humanity. His compassion for their physical weakness on the journey back home ultimately culminates in His offering of Himself on the cross, providing spiritual sustenance and strength for our journey through life and into eternity. Just as He nourished the multitude, He offers Himself as the living bread, ensuring that those who come to Him will never hunger or thirst again spiritually ( [John 6:51](/john/6-51 "John 6:51 - Jesus, the Living Bread") ). This verse, therefore, is not merely about a historical act of kindness but profoundly reveals the heart of the Savior, whose ultimate act of compassion was to bear our sins and offer us eternal life ( [Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God's Love in Christ's Death") ).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 9:36

But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.

Micah 7:19

He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.

Psalms 145:15

The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season.

Psalms 103:13

Like as a father pitieth [his] children, [so] the LORD pitieth them that fear him.

Hebrews 4:15

For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as [we are, yet] without sin.

Mark 1:41

And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth [his] hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean.

Mark 5:19

Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.