Matthew 15:32

KJV

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 (with Strong's)

Then {G1161} Jesus {G2424} called {G4341} his {G846} disciples {G3101} unto him, and said {G2036}, I have compassion {G4697} on {G1909} the multitude {G3793}, because {G3754} they continue {G4357} with me {G3427} now {G2235} three {G5140} days {G2250}, and {G2532} have {G2192} nothing {G3756}{G5101} to eat {G5315}: and {G2532} I will {G2309} not {G3756} send {G630} them {G846} away {G630} fasting {G3523}, lest {G3379} they faint {G1590} in {G1722} the way {G3598}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Yeshua called his talmidim to him and said, "I feel sorry for these people, because they have been with me three days, and now they have nothing to eat. I don't want to send them away hungry, because they might collapse on the way home."

Berean Standard Bible

Then Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, “I have compassion for this crowd, because they have already been with Me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may faint along the way.”

American Standard Version

And Jesus called unto him his disciples, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days and have nothing to eat: and I would not send them away fasting, lest haply they faint on the way.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 15:32 presents a profound insight into the compassionate heart of Jesus, revealing His proactive concern for the physical well-being of the multitude who had faithfully remained with Him for three days. This pivotal moment, preceding the miraculous feeding of the four thousand, underscores Jesus' holistic approach to ministry, where spiritual nourishment is intimately linked with practical care for human needs, demonstrating His divine foresight and tender empathy for those who followed Him.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows a series of significant events in Jesus' ministry. Prior to this, Jesus engaged in a sharp confrontation with the Pharisees and scribes concerning true defilement, emphasizing the heart over external rituals ([Matthew 15:1-20](/matthew/15-1-20 "Matthew 15:1-20 - True Defilement Comes from the Heart")). He then withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon, where He encountered a Canaanite woman whose persistent faith led to the healing of her daughter ([Matthew 15:21-28](/matthew/15-21-28 "Matthew 15:21-28 - The Faith of the Canaanite Woman")). Following this, Jesus journeyed to the Decapolis region, a predominantly Gentile area, where He ascended a mountain and performed numerous healings, attracting a large crowd who remained with Him ([Matthew 15:29-31](/matthew/15-29-31 "Matthew 15:29-31 - Jesus Heals Many on the Mountain")). Matthew 15:32 thus sets the stage for the second miraculous feeding, echoing the earlier feeding of the five thousand in [Matthew 14](/matthew/14 "Matthew 14 - The Feeding of the Five Thousand and Walking on Water"), but distinctly demonstrating Jesus' compassion extending to a Gentile audience.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting in the Decapolis, a region of ten Hellenistic cities east of the Jordan, is crucial. This area was largely Gentile, highlighting Jesus' ministry transcending Jewish boundaries and foreshadowing the universal scope of the Gospel. The crowd's presence for "three days" signifies their deep commitment and spiritual hunger, willing to endure hardship to hear Jesus. In ancient Palestine, travel was arduous, often on foot, and provisions were limited. Being away from home for three days without food would have led to severe physical exhaustion and dehydration, making the journey home perilous. Fasting, while sometimes a religious practice, here refers to involuntary deprivation, underscoring the severity of their physical plight and the genuine risk of collapse.
* **Key Themes:** Several significant themes emerge from this verse. Foremost is the **Compassion of Jesus**, which is not merely an intellectual understanding but a deep, visceral empathy for human suffering, a consistent characteristic of His ministry ([Matthew 9:36](/matthew/9-36 "Matthew 9:36 - Jesus' Compassion for the Harassed Multitude")). This compassion drives His **Divine Provision**, as He recognizes their immediate physical need and prepares to miraculously supply it, demonstrating His role as the ultimate sustainer. The event also highlights the **Inclusivity of the Gospel**, as Jesus extends His ministry and miraculous provision to a predominantly Gentile crowd, breaking down barriers. Furthermore, Jesus' **Initiative** in calling His disciples and articulating the problem, rather than waiting for them to notice, serves as a vital lesson in **Discipleship Training**, preparing them to participate in God's work of caring for humanity in a holistic manner.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **compassion (Greek, _splanchnízomai'_):** Derived from the Greek word for "bowels" or "intestines," this term signifies a deep, visceral, gut-level feeling of pity or sympathy. It is not merely a mental acknowledgment of suffering but an intense emotional response that moves one to action. In the Gospels, it is almost exclusively used of Jesus (or God in parables), highlighting His profound empathy and tenderheartedness towards those in distress. Here, Jesus' compassion is the driving force behind His decision to feed the multitude.
* **faint (Greek, _eklýō'_):** This word means "to relax," "to loosen," or "to grow weak." It implies a state of physical exhaustion or collapse due to lack of sustenance or severe strain. Jesus' concern that the multitude might "faint in the way" speaks to a very real and dangerous physical consequence of prolonged hunger, demonstrating His practical and protective care for their safety and well-being on their journey home.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then Jesus called his disciples [unto him], and said,"**: This opening phrase emphasizes Jesus' initiative and leadership. He is not reacting to a request from the disciples or the crowd, but proactively identifying a critical need. By calling His disciples, He involves them in the problem-solving process, providing a crucial teaching moment about divine provision and compassionate ministry.
* **"I have compassion on the multitude,"**: This is the heart of the verse, revealing Jesus' core motivation. His "compassion" (splanchnizomai) signifies a deep, visceral empathy, a profound emotional identification with their suffering. It is this inner movement of love that compels His subsequent actions, demonstrating His tender care for humanity.
* **"because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat:"**: This clause provides the specific reason for Jesus' compassion. The crowd's sustained presence for three days indicates their spiritual hunger and commitment to His teaching, but it also highlights their severe physical deprivation. "Nothing to eat" underscores the direness of their situation, making their need for intervention urgent and apparent.
* **"and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way."**: This final clause expresses Jesus' practical concern for the multitude's safety and well-being. He recognizes the danger of sending them home in their weakened state, as fainting could lead to injury or worse on the arduous journey. His decision not to send them away "fasting" (i.e., without food) is a protective measure, demonstrating His responsibility as their shepherd and provider.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 15:32 employs several literary devices that enrich its meaning. The most prominent is **Pathos**, as Jesus' explicit declaration, "I have compassion on the multitude," is designed to evoke deep empathy in the reader, mirroring the profound emotional response Jesus Himself experiences. The narrative also utilizes **Foreshadowing**, as Jesus' statement of concern directly precedes and sets the stage for the miraculous feeding of the four thousand, hinting at the divine power He is about to unleash. Furthermore, there is an element of **Parallelism** with the earlier feeding of the five thousand ([Matthew 14:13-21](/matthew/14-13-21 "Matthew 14:13-21 - The Feeding of the Five Thousand")), serving as a **Repetition** of Jesus' character and power, yet with distinct details (different numbers, different location, likely a Gentile crowd), emphasizing the consistency of His compassion across diverse groups. The phrase "lest they faint in the way" also serves as a form of **Understatement** or **Litotes**, subtly highlighting the severe danger the crowd faces without explicitly detailing the potential collapse or death, thereby emphasizing Jesus' protective care.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 15:32 powerfully articulates a foundational aspect of God's character: His profound compassion and active provision for His creation. Jesus, as the incarnate Son, perfectly embodies this divine attribute, demonstrating that God's concern extends beyond spiritual salvation to the tangible, physical needs of humanity. This passage highlights the holistic nature of the Kingdom of God, where spiritual truth and physical well-being are not mutually exclusive but deeply interconnected. Jesus' proactive care for the hungry multitude underscores the biblical principle that God is a benevolent provider who sustains His people, often through miraculous means, and that His love compels Him to meet us in our deepest vulnerabilities.

* [Matthew 9:36](/matthew/9-36 "Matthew 9:36 - Jesus' Compassion for the Harassed Multitude")
* [Psalm 145:15-16](/psalms/145-15-16 "Psalm 145:15-16 - God's Provision for All")
* [Luke 10:33](/luke/10-33 "Luke 10:33 - The Samaritan's Compassion")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 15:32 serves as a timeless call to emulate the compassionate heart of Jesus in our own lives. It reminds us that true discipleship involves not only spiritual engagement but also a profound, proactive concern for the physical and practical needs of those around us. Jesus did not wait for the disciples to notice the crowd's hunger; He identified the need and initiated the solution. This challenges us to cultivate an attentive spirit, looking beyond surface appearances to discern the hidden hungers—whether for food, companionship, justice, or hope—in our communities. Furthermore, this passage invites us to trust in God's boundless provision, recognizing that He cares for our daily needs and can work in extraordinary ways, even when our resources seem meager. Our compassion, like Jesus', should lead to action, trusting that God will empower us to be instruments of His holistic care in a world that desperately needs both spiritual truth and tangible love.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus' proactive compassion challenge my own approach to others' needs, prompting me to be more observant and initiative-taking?**
* **In what practical ways can I demonstrate holistic care, addressing both the spiritual and physical needs of individuals within my community or sphere of influence?**
* **How does this passage deepen my trust in God's ability and willingness to provide for me and others, even in seemingly impossible circumstances?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jesus wait three days before addressing the multitude's hunger?**

Answer: The text does not explicitly state why Jesus waited three days, but several factors can be inferred. Firstly, the "three days" likely signifies the duration the multitude had been actively listening to Jesus' teaching and witnessing His healings ([Matthew 15:29-31](/matthew/15-29-31 "Matthew 15:29-31 - Jesus Heals Many on the Mountain")). This extended period demonstrates their deep spiritual hunger and commitment, creating a context where their physical need became acute and undeniable. Secondly, Jesus' timing often served pedagogical purposes for His disciples. By allowing the situation to develop to a point of clear crisis, He provided a powerful lesson in divine provision and compassion, preparing them to witness a miracle that would reinforce their understanding of His power and care. It also underscored the genuineness of the crowd's need, making the subsequent miracle all the more impactful.

**How is this feeding of the four thousand different from the earlier feeding of the five thousand in Matthew 14?**

Answer: While both miracles demonstrate Jesus' compassionate provision, there are several key differences. The feeding of the five thousand ([Matthew 14:13-21](/matthew/14-13-21 "Matthew 14:13-21 - The Feeding of the Five Thousand")) occurred in a "desolate place" near Bethsaida, primarily to a Jewish crowd, with 5 loaves and 2 fish, resulting in 12 baskets of leftover fragments. The feeding of the four thousand ([Matthew 15:32-39](/matthew/15-32-39 "Matthew 15:32-39 - The Feeding of the Four Thousand")) takes place in the Decapolis, a predominantly Gentile region, with 7 loaves and a few small fish, yielding 7 baskets of leftovers. The distinct numbers (5,000 vs. 4,000; 12 baskets vs. 7 baskets) and geographical settings (Jewish vs. Gentile territory) highlight Jesus' universal compassion and His ministry extending to all peoples, not just Israel. The repetition also serves to reinforce the disciples' understanding of Jesus' power and their role in His ministry.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 15:32, with Jesus' profound declaration of compassion and His subsequent miraculous provision, finds its ultimate fulfillment in His identity as the Christ. Jesus is not merely a sympathetic teacher but the incarnate Son of God, who perfectly embodies the Father's heart of love and provision. His concern for the hungry multitude foreshadows His greater work as the [Bread of Life](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life"), who offers eternal sustenance to all who believe. The physical feeding of the four thousand points to the spiritual nourishment available through His sacrifice on the cross, where He gave His body to satisfy humanity's deepest hunger for reconciliation with God. As our [sympathetic High Priest](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus, Our Sympathetic High Priest"), Jesus continues to have compassion on our weaknesses and provides for our every need, both spiritual and physical, according to His glorious riches ([Philippians 4:19](/philippians/4-19 "Philippians 4:19 - God's Provision in Christ Jesus")). This passage ultimately calls us to see Jesus as the one who not only feeds the hungry but also identifies with the hungry, the thirsty, and the marginalized, declaring that what we do for "the least of these" we do for Him ([Matthew 25:35-40](/matthew/25-35-40 "Matthew 25:35-40 - Caring for the Least of These")).

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.

Luke 12:29

And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.

Luke 12:30

For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.

Acts 27:33

And while the day was coming on, Paul besought [them] all to take meat, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing.

Matthew 14:14

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

Matthew 14:21

And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.

Mark 8:1

¶ In those days the multitude being very great, and having nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples [unto him], and saith unto them,