Matthew 14:14

KJV

And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} Jesus {G2424} went forth {G1831}, and saw {G1492} a great {G4183} multitude {G3793}, and {G2532} was moved with compassion {G4697} toward {G1909} them {G846}, and {G2532} he healed {G2323} their {G846} sick {G732}.

Complete Jewish Bible

So when he came ashore, he saw a huge crowd; and, filled with compassion for them, he healed those of them who were sick.

Berean Standard Bible

When He stepped ashore and saw a large crowd, He had compassion on them and healed their sick.

American Standard Version

And he came forth, and saw a great multitude, and he had compassion on them, and healed their sick.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 14:14 offers a profound glimpse into the character and ministry of Jesus Christ, immediately following the deeply personal and somber news of John the Baptist's execution. Despite His own profound grief and desire for solitude, Jesus' encounter with a vast, needy multitude elicits a visceral, divine compassion that compels Him to active, miraculous healing. This verse powerfully encapsulates Jesus' dual nature as both fully human, experiencing sorrow, and fully divine, manifesting God's boundless love and power to alleviate suffering.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within Matthew's narrative, directly following the account of John the Baptist's martyrdom in [Matthew 14:1-12](/matthew/14-1-12 "Matthew 14:1-12 - John the Baptist's Martyrdom"). Jesus, upon hearing the devastating news, seeks a quiet, solitary place to grieve and pray, withdrawing by boat to a deserted area (cf. [Matthew 14:13](/matthew/14-13 "Matthew 14:13 - Jesus Withdraws After John's Death")). However, His fame precedes Him, and the crowds, recognizing His departure, follow Him on foot from the surrounding towns. This sets up a poignant contrast: Jesus’ personal need for withdrawal versus the overwhelming public need that He immediately addresses. The healing ministry described here also directly precedes and sets the stage for the miraculous feeding of the five thousand ([Matthew 14:15-21](/matthew/14-15-21 "Matthew 14:15-21 - Feeding the Five Thousand")), demonstrating Jesus' comprehensive care for both spiritual and physical needs.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In first-century Galilee, large crowds often followed popular teachers and healers, driven by a combination of spiritual hunger, physical need, and curiosity. People with various ailments, often considered outcasts or suffering under divine judgment, would seek out those believed to possess healing power. The "deserted place" (ἔρημος τόπος, _erēmos topos_) would have been an uncultivated, uninhabited area, offering a measure of privacy, though not necessarily remote from human access. The act of healing the sick was a powerful demonstration of authority and divine favor, often associated with the coming of the Messiah. For Jesus to engage with such a "great multitude" (ὄχλος πολύς, _ochlos polys_) immediately after a personal tragedy underscores His unwavering commitment to His mission over personal comfort, a radical departure from typical human responses to grief.
* **Key Themes:** Matthew 14:14 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the Gospel of Matthew. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates **Jesus' Divine Compassion**. His "being moved with compassion" is not mere sympathy but a profound, visceral empathy that consistently drives His actions, particularly towards the suffering and marginalized, echoing His earlier lament over the crowds as "sheep without a shepherd" in [Matthew 9:36](/matthew/9-36 "Matthew 9:36 - Jesus' Compassion for the Crowds"). Secondly, it highlights His **Messianic Authority and Healing Ministry**. The ability to heal all manner of sickness was a hallmark of Jesus' ministry, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah's restorative work (e.g., [Isaiah 35:5-6](/isaiah/35-5-6 "Isaiah 35:5-6 - Healing in the Messianic Age")). This act of healing demonstrates His power over the consequences of sin and the brokenness of the fallen world. Finally, the verse underscores **Jesus' Selfless Service**, prioritizing the urgent needs of the people over His own profound grief and desire for solitude, a consistent pattern throughout His earthly life that culminates in His ultimate sacrifice.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **saw (Greek, _eídō'_):** This primary verb, used here in the aorist tense, signifies a direct, immediate perception. It means "to see (literally or figuratively); by implication, (in the perfect tense only) to know." Jesus' seeing was not a casual glance but an attentive, discerning gaze that recognized the profound need and suffering of the "great multitude." This seeing is the catalyst for His subsequent compassion and action, implying an understanding of their plight beyond mere visual recognition.
* **was moved with compassion (Greek, _splanchnízomai'_):** This is a powerful, middle voice verb derived from _splagchnon_, meaning "bowels" or "inward parts." It literally means "to have the bowels yearn" or "to feel sympathy, to pity." It denotes a deep, visceral, gut-wrenching empathy, not just a fleeting emotion. This word is frequently used in the Gospels to describe Jesus' profound, active mercy towards those suffering, indicating a profound identification with human pain that compels Him to act.
* **healed (Greek, _therapeúō'_):** Derived from _therapōn_ (an attendant), this verb means "to wait upon menially, i.e. (figuratively) to adore (God), or (specially) to relieve (of disease)." In this context, it specifically refers to the act of curing or restoring health. It emphasizes Jesus' active, restorative power, directly linking His deep compassion to tangible, miraculous intervention that alleviates physical suffering and demonstrates His divine authority.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Jesus went forth,"**: This phrase signifies Jesus' departure from the boat and His intended solitude. It marks His physical movement towards the waiting crowds, indicating a deliberate decision to engage with them despite His personal circumstances.
* **"and saw a great multitude,"**: This highlights the immediate object of Jesus' attention. The term "great multitude" (Gk. _ochlos polys_) emphasizes the sheer number of people gathered, underscoring the widespread need and the overwhelming nature of the crowd that had interrupted His private time. His act of "seeing" is not passive but perceptive, leading to His emotional response.
* **"and was moved with compassion toward them,"**: This is the emotional core of the verse. Jesus' "seeing" immediately triggers a deep, visceral empathy. The Greek word _splanchnízomai_ indicates a profound, gut-level pity that goes beyond mere sympathy, compelling Him to respond to their suffering. This compassion is directed "toward them," emphasizing His active concern for the individuals within the crowd.
* **"and he healed their sick."**: This clause describes the direct, tangible outcome of Jesus' compassion. His empathy is not abstract but leads to immediate, powerful action. The healing of "their sick" demonstrates His divine power and authority over disease, directly addressing the physical needs that were evident among the multitude. It serves as a practical manifestation of His profound love and mercy.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 14:14 employs several powerful literary devices. The most prominent is **Pathos**, as the narrative evokes deep sympathy for both Jesus (who is grieving) and the suffering multitude. This emotional appeal highlights Jesus' profound empathy, which transcends His personal sorrow. There is also a strong element of **Contrast**: Jesus' desire for solitude and His personal grief are sharply contrasted with the overwhelming public need and His immediate, selfless response. This contrast magnifies His divine character and unwavering commitment. Furthermore, the act of healing can be seen as **Symbolism**, representing not only physical restoration but also the spiritual healing and wholeness that Jesus offers to a broken world. The specific mention of "their sick" also serves as **Synecdoche**, where a part (the sick) represents the whole (the needy multitude), emphasizing the most pressing and visible need among them.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 14:14 stands as a powerful testament to the incarnate Son of God, demonstrating that His divine power is always inextricably linked to His profound compassion for humanity. His willingness to set aside personal grief to minister to the suffering crowds reveals a fundamental aspect of God's character: active, empathetic love that responds to human need. This verse reinforces the truth that God is not distant or indifferent to our pain but is deeply moved by it, leading to tangible acts of grace and restoration. It foreshadows the ultimate act of compassion on the cross, where Jesus, out of love, took upon Himself the sickness and sin of the world.

* [Matthew 9:35-36](/matthew/9-35-36 "Matthew 9:35-36 - Jesus' Compassion for the Harassed Multitude")
* [Mark 1:40-42](/mark/1-40-42 "Mark 1:40-42 - Jesus Heals a Leper out of Compassion")
* [Luke 7:12-15](/luke/7-12-15 "Luke 7:12-15 - Jesus Raises the Widow's Son at Nain")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 14:14 offers a profound model for Christian living, challenging believers to cultivate a heart of active compassion that mirrors Christ's own. In a world often characterized by self-focus and indifference, this verse calls us to look beyond our personal circumstances, discomforts, or even our own grief, to truly "see" the needs of those around us. Just as Jesus' compassion led to tangible healing, our empathy should compel us to action—whether through acts of service, words of comfort, or practical assistance. It reminds us that authentic faith is not passive but is expressed through a deep, visceral concern for the suffering, leading us to participate in God's restorative work in the world. Furthermore, this passage reassures us of God's intimate knowledge of and responsiveness to our own weaknesses and pain, reminding us that we serve a Savior who is deeply moved by our condition and desires our wholeness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus' response to the multitude, despite His personal grief, challenge my own priorities when faced with others' needs?**
* **In what ways can I cultivate a more "visceral" compassion (like _splanchnízomai_) that moves beyond mere sympathy to active engagement with suffering?**
* **What "sick" (physical, emotional, spiritual) people or situations in my sphere of influence is God calling me to "see" and respond to with Christ-like compassion?**

### FAQ

**Why did Jesus heal the sick instead of seeking solitude for His grief?**

Answer: Jesus' immediate response to the multitude, despite His profound personal grief over John the Baptist's death, highlights His divine nature and unwavering commitment to His mission. While He desired solitude (as seen in [Matthew 14:13](/matthew/14-13 "Matthew 14:13 - Jesus Withdraws")), His encounter with the "great multitude" triggered a deeper, divine compassion (Gk. _splanchnízomai_). This visceral empathy for human suffering superseded His personal need for withdrawal. It demonstrates that Jesus' identity as the Son of God included a perfect, active love for humanity, compelling Him to prioritize the needs of the suffering over His own comfort or sorrow. His healing ministry was a central part of His messianic work, demonstrating God's power and love.

**What does "moved with compassion" truly mean in this context?**

Answer: The phrase "moved with compassion" translates the Greek verb _splanchnízomai_ (σπλαγχνίζομαι), which is a very strong and significant term in the Gospels. It literally means "to be moved in the bowels" or "in the gut," signifying a deep, visceral, heartfelt pity and mercy, not merely a fleeting or superficial emotion. It indicates a profound, almost physical, identification with the suffering of others. When used of Jesus, it consistently describes His profound empathy that leads to immediate, tangible action, such as healing the sick ([Mark 1:41](/mark/1-41 "Mark 1:41 - Jesus Heals a Leper")), feeding the hungry ([Matthew 15:32](/matthew/15-32 "Matthew 15:32 - Jesus Feeds the Four Thousand")), or teaching the lost ([Matthew 9:36](/matthew/9-36 "Matthew 9:36 - Jesus' Compassion for the Harassed Multitude")). It reveals the very heart of God's active love for humanity.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 14:14 is a powerful microcosm of Christ's entire redemptive mission. Jesus' compassion for the sick and His subsequent healing of them are not merely isolated acts of benevolence but tangible demonstrations of His identity as the promised Messiah, the Great Physician who comes to restore a broken world. This scene, where Jesus' personal sorrow is eclipsed by His divine empathy for the suffering, foreshadows His ultimate act of compassion on the cross. There, He would not just heal individuals but would take upon Himself the sickness of sin for all humanity, offering spiritual and eternal healing. His willingness to sacrifice His own comfort and even His life ([Philippians 2:5-8](/philippians/2-5-8 "Philippians 2:5-8 - Christ's Humility and Obedience")) for the sake of a "great multitude" who were "sick" with sin and alienation from God ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God Demonstrates His Love")) reveals the depth of His love. Thus, Matthew 14:14 points us to the Lamb of God who, out of profound compassion, takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), offering not just physical relief but eternal life and wholeness to all who believe.

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

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.

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.

John 11:33

¶ When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled,

John 11:35

Jesus wept.

Hebrews 2:17

Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto [his] brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things [pertaining] to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.

Matthew 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.

Matthew 15:39

And he sent away the multitude, and took ship, and came into the coasts of Magdala.