Dictionary Article

Quality of showing kindness or favor, of being gracious, or of having pity or mercy. In the Bible, God is described as being like a compassionate father to those who revere him (Ps 103:13). Jesus Christ exemplified God’s compassion in his preaching and healing (Mt 9:36; 14:14), in his concern for the lostness of humanity (Lk 19:41), and finally in his sacrifice on the cross (Rom 5:8). The church is to demonstrate compassion as one facet of the love Jesus commanded (Mt 5:4-7; Jn 13:34; Jas 2:8-18; 1 Jn 3:18). In scriptural usage compassion is always both a feeling and the appropriate action based on that feeling.

Show passage in OET: PSA 103:13

OET-RV PSA 103:13

13 Yahweh has compassion on those who obey him,
⇔ just like a father has compassion on his children

OET-LV PSA 103:13

13 As_ a _father _has _compassion on children YHWH he _has _compassion on those_fearing _of_him.

Show passage in OET: MAT 9:36

OET-RV MAT 9:36

36 When he saw the crowds, he felt for them because they were tired and stressed like sheep with no shepherd.

OET-LV MAT 9:36

36 And having _seen the crowds, he _was _feeling _compassion for them, because they _were having _been _troubled and having _been _helpless, as _if sheep not having a_shepherd.

Show passage in OET: MAT 14:14

OET-RV MAT 14:14

14 So when he got out of the boat, he saw a large crowd of people, and he felt compassion towards them, and he healed the sick people they’d brought.

OET-LV MAT 14:14

14 And having _come _out, he _saw a_ great _crowd, and he _was _feeling _compassion to them and healed the sick of _them.

Show passage in OET: LUK 19:41

OET-RV LUK 19:41

41 As Yeshua (Jesus; Grk. Yesus) got closer to Yerushalem (Jerusalem), he cried over it,

OET-LV LUK 19:41

41 And as he _neared, having _seen the city, he _wept over it

Show passage in OET: ROM 5:8

OET-RV ROM 5:8

8 but God demonstrated his love towards us in that the messiah died for us while we were still sinners!

OET-LV ROM 5:8

8 But is _demonstrating the of _himself love to us the god, that still sinners being of _us, chosen _one /messiah for us died _off.

Show passage in OET: MAT 5:4–7

OET-RV MAT 5:4

4 “Those who are mourning are blessed, because they’ll be comforted.

OET-RV MAT 5:5

5 “Those who are gentle are blessed, because they’ll inherit the world.

OET-RV MAT 5:6

6 “Those who are hungry and thirsty to obey God are blessed, because they’ll be satisfied.

OET-RV MAT 5:7

7 “Those who are merciful are blessed, because they’ll receive mercy.

OET-LV MAT 5:4

4 Blessed are the ones mourning, because they will _be _being _comforted.

OET-LV MAT 5:5

5 Blessed are the gentle, because they will _be _inheriting the earth.

OET-LV MAT 5:6

6 Blessed are the ones hungering and thirsting the for _righteousness, because they will _be _being _satisfied.

OET-LV MAT 5:7

7 Blessed are the merciful, because they will _be _being _shown _mercy.

Show passage in OET: JHN 13:34

OET-RV JHN 13:34

34 I’m giving you a new command—you need to love each other. The way that I loved all of you is how you should love each other.

OET-LV JHN 13:34

34 I _am _giving to _you _all a_ new _command, that you _all _may _be _loving one _another, as I _loved you _all, that also you _all may _be _loving one _another.

Show passage in OET: JAM 2:8–18

OET-RV JAM 2:8

8 However if you are obeying the golden law, then when you love your neighbour as yourself, you’ll be doing well according to the scriptures.

OET-RV JAM 2:9

9 But if you’re showing favouritism, then you’re all sinning by breaking the law.

OET-RV JAM 2:10

10 Because anyone who tries to keep the law but slips up in one area, they’re still guilty of breaking the law.

OET-RV JAM 2:11

11 The same God who said, ‘Don’t commit adultery,’ also said, ‘Don’t murder,’ so if you’re not committing adultery but you murder someone, then you’ve broken the law.

OET-RV JAM 2:12

12 So speak and live your life knowing that you’re going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,

OET-RV JAM 2:13

13 because judgement will be dispensed without mercy to those who haven’t been putting mercy into practice. Yes, mercy wins out over judgement.

OET-RV JAM 2:14

14 My fellow believers, what would I gain if I said that someone had faith but it didn’t alter how they live their life? Faith like that wouldn’t be able to save them.

OET-RV JAM 2:15

15 If a fellow believer is lacking clothes or food,

OET-RV JAM 2:16

16 and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace and be warm and satisfied,’ but don’t help with their physical needs, what use would that be?

OET-RV JAM 2:17

17 In other words, faith without the corresponding lifestyle is just dead.

OET-RV JAM 2:18

18 No doubt someone will say, ‘Well you have the faith and I do the good deeds.’ So show me your faith without good deeds and I’ll demonstrate my faith by my good deeds.

OET-LV JAM 2:8

8 If however the_law you _all _are _accomplishing royal, according _to the scripture:
You _will _be _loving the neighbour of _you as yourself, well you _all _are _doing.

OET-LV JAM 2:9

9 But if you _all _are _showing _favouritism, sin you _all _are _doing, being _rebuked by the law as transgressors.

OET-LV JAM 2:10

10 For/Because whoever all the law may _keep, but may _stumble in one thing, has _become of _all liable.

OET-LV JAM 2:11

11 For/Because the one having _said:
Not you _may _commit _adultery, said also:
Not you _may _murder.
And if not you _are _committing _adultery, but you _are _murdering you _have _become a_transgressor of_the_law.

OET-LV JAM 2:12

12 Thus be _speaking, and thus be _doing, as by the_law of _freedom going to _be _being _judged.

OET-LV JAM 2:13

13 For/Because the judgement merciless will _be to _the one not having _doing mercy.
Is _triumphing mercy over _judgement.

OET-LV JAM 2:14

14 What is profit, brothers of _me, if faith may _be _saying anyone, to _be _having but, works not may _be _having?
Not is _able the faith to _save him?

OET-LV JAM 2:15

15 If a_brother or a_sister naked may _be _being, and lacking of_ the _daily food,

OET-LV JAM 2:16

16 and may _say anyone to _them from you _all:
Be _going in peace, be _warming and be _satisfying, not but you _all _may _give to _them the necessary things for _their body, what is profit?

OET-LV JAM 2:17

17 Thus also the faith, if not it _may _be _having works, dead it _is by itself.

OET-LV JAM 2:18

18 But will _be _saying someone:
You faith are _having, and _I works am _having.
Show to _me the faith of _you without the works, and _I to _you will _be _showing by the works of _me the faith.

Show passage in OET: JN1 3:18

OET-RV JN1 3:18

18 So you new believers, don’t just proclaim that you’re loving people, but actually demonstrate it in actions and in fact.

OET-LV JN1 3:18

18 Little _children, not may _we _be _loving in _message, nor in _the tongue, but in work and in _truth.

Jump to OET PSA 103:13 section.

Jump to OET MAT 9:36 section.

Jump to OET MAT 14:14 section.

Jump to OET LUK 19:41 section.

Jump to OET ROM 5:8 section.

Jump to OET MAT 5:4–7 section.

Jump to OET JHN 13:34 section.

Jump to OET JAM 2:8–18 section.

Jump to OET JN1 3:18 section.

In the OT, compassion describes one aspect of God’s covenantal relationship with his people. One of the Hebrew words translated “compassion” is derived from a root word meaning “womb,” thus comparing God’s love with maternal love. God’s compassion, however, went beyond simply feeling the emotion; it was always demonstrated by definite acts that testified to his covenant with Israel. In spite of Israel’s rebellions, God still had compassion on his people (2 Kgs 13:23; 2 Chr 36:15; Ps 78:38), as well as on all his creation (Ps 145:9). When Israel was chastised, the nation often feared that God had permanently withdrawn his favor (Ps 77:9; Is 27:11; 63:15; Jer 13:14; 21:7; Hos 13:14). Yet God’s compassion would revive, and he would restore his people (Dt 30:3; Ps 135:14; Is 14:1; 49:13; 54:7-8; Jer 12:15; 30:18; Mi 7:19).

Show passage in OET: KI2 13:23

OET-RV KI2 13:23

23 but Yahweh showed favour to the Israelis and felt compassionate towards them. Because of his agreement with Avraham, Yitshak (Isaac), and Ya’akov (Jacob), he didn’t want to destroy them, and he hasn’t tossed them out even to this day.

OET-LV KI2 13:23

23 And_ YHWH _he _showed _favour _to DOM_them and_he_had _compassion _on _them and_he _turned to_them on _account _of covenant _of_his with ʼAⱱrāhām Yiʦḩāq/(Isaac) and_Yaˊₐqoⱱ/(Jacob) and_not he _was _willing to_destroy _them and_not he_threw _them from_under his/its_faces/face until now.

Show passage in OET: CH2 36:15

OET-RV CH2 36:15

15 So Yahweh, their ancestors’ god, sent many messages via his prophets, because he felt compassion for his people and his residence,

OET-LV CH2 36:15

15 And_ YHWH the _god _of their _ancestors _of_their _he _sent to_them by_the _hand _of his _messengers _of_his rising _early and_sending if/because he _had _compassion on people _of_his and_on place _of_his _dwelling.

Show passage in OET: PSA 78:38

OET-RV PSA 78:38

38 Yet he, being merciful, forgave their disobedience and didn’t destroy them.
⇔ Yes, many times he held back his anger
⇔ ≈ and didn’t stir up all his rage.

OET-LV PSA 78:38

38 And_he was_compassionate he _atoned _for iniquity and_not he _destroyed_them and_he _increased to_turn _back anger _of_his and_not he _stirred _up all _of rage _of_his.

Show passage in OET: PSA 145:9

OET-RV PSA 145:9

9 Yahweh is good to everyone,
⇔ and desires the best for everything he made.

OET-LV PSA 145:9

9 Is_good YHWH to_all and_compassion(s)_of_his are_on all _of works _of_his.

Show passage in OET: PSA 77:9

OET-RV PSA 77:9

9 Had God forgotten to be gracious?
⇔ ≈ Had his anger masked his compassion? (Instrumental break.)

OET-LV PSA 77:10

10  Has_ god _he _forgotten to _have _compassion or has _he _shut _off in_anger compassion(s)_of_his Şelāh.

Show passage in OET: ISA 27:11

OET-RV ISA 27:11

11 when its branches dry up, they’ll be broken off.
⇔ Women will come and light fires with them because they’re not a people with understanding.
⇔ Therefore the one who made and formed it, won’t show any favour towards it.

OET-LV ISA 27:11

11 When_ branch[es]_of_its _dry _up they _are _broken _off women are_coming they_are_setting _light _to it if/because not is_a _people _of understanding(s) it therefore yes/correct/thus/so not he_will _have _compassion _on _it the_one _of_who_made _it and_the_one _of_who_formed _it not he_will _show _favour _to _it.

Show passage in OET: ISA 63:15

OET-RV ISA 63:15

15 Look from heaven
⇔ ≈ and see from your wonderful, holy residence.
⇔ Where’s your actions full of zeal and power?
⇔ Your inner motivation and your compassion have restrained themselves from me.

OET-LV ISA 63:15

15 Look from_heaven and_see from_the _lofty _residence _of your _holiness _of_your and_splendour _of_your where zeal _of_are_your and_your(pl)_mighty _of_deeds the _tumult _of your(pl)_inward _parts _of_your and_compassion(s)_of_your to_me they _have _restrained _themselves.

Show passage in OET: JER 13:14

OET-RV JER 13:14

14 Then Yahweh declares: I’ll cause a drunken brawl among brothers, parents, and children. I won’t pity you or have compassion, and I won’t spare them from destruction.

OET-LV JER 13:14

14 And_I_will _smash _them each to his/its_brother and_the_parents and_the_children alike the _utterance _of YHWH not I _will _show _pity and_not I _will _have _mercy and_not I _will _have _compassion from_destroying_them.

Show passage in OET: JER 21:7

OET-RV JER 21:7

7 Then Yahweh declares that after that I’ll hand over Yehudah’s (Judah) King Tsidkiyah along with his officers, and the people in this city who survive the deadly diseases and sword and famine, to the Babylonian King Nevukadnetsar, and to their enemies who want to kill them. He’ll kill them with the sword—he won’t spare them or show pity or compassion.

OET-LV JER 21:7

7 And_after thus the _utterance _of YHWH I _will _give DOM Tsidqiy^yāh/(Zedekiah) the _king _of Yəhūdāh/(Judah) and_DOM servants _of_his and_DOM the_people and_DOM those_who_remain in_city (the)_this from the_pestilence from the_drought//sword/knife and_from the_famine in_the _hand _of Nəⱱūkadneʦʦar the _king _of Bāⱱel and_in_the _hand _of their _enemies _of_their and_in_the _hand _of those _who_seek _of life _of_(of)_their and_he_will _strike _them _down to_the_mouth _of the_sword not he _will _have _mercy on_them and_not he _will _show _pity and_not he _will _have _compassion.

Show passage in OET: HOS 13:14

OET-RV HOS 13:14

14 Will I ransom them from the hand of the grave?
⇔ ≈ Will I redeem them from death?
⇔ Death, where are your plagues?
⇔ ≈ Grave, where is your destruction?
⇔ My eyes won’t be displaying any compassion.”

OET-LV HOS 13:14

14 From_the _hand _of Shəʼōl will_I _ransom _them from_death will_I _redeem _them where plagues _of_are_your Oh _death where destruction _of_is_your Oh _Shəʼōl compassion it _will _be _hidden from_eyes _of_my.

Show passage in OET: DEU 30:3

OET-RV DEU 30:3

3 then your god Yahweh will show compassion towards you and reverse your captivity, and he’ll gather you from all the peoples where he’s scattered you, and return you.

OET-LV DEU 30:3

3 And_ YHWH god _of_your _he _will _turn _back DOM captivity _of_your and_he_will _have _compassion _on _you and_he _will _return and_he_will _gather _you from_all the_peoples where he_has _scattered _you YHWH god _of_your to_(to).

Show passage in OET: PSA 135:14

OET-RV PSA 135:14

14 because Yahweh judges his people,
⇔ and he’s compassionate towards his servants.

OET-LV PSA 135:14

14 If/because YHWH he _vindicates people _of_his and_on servants _of_his he _has _compassion.

Show passage in OET: ISA 14:1

OET-RV ISA 14:1

14 Yahweh will have compassion on Ya’akov (Jacob),
⇔ ≈ and will choose Yisrael (Israel) again,
⇔ and settle them on their own land.
⇔ Foreigners will join with them,
⇔ ≈ and attach themselves to the Israeli people.

OET-LV ISA 14:1

14 If/because YHWH he _will _have _compassion _on DOM Yaˊₐqoⱱ/(Jacob) and_he _will _choose again (in)_Yisrā^ʼēl/(Israel) and_he_will _give _them _rest on land _of_their _own and_ the_sojourner _he _will _join _himself to_them and_they _will _attach _themselves to the _house _of Yaˊₐqoⱱ.

Show passage in OET: ISA 49:13

OET-RV ISA 49:13

⇔  13 Shout happily you sky and be cheerful you earth
⇔ ≈ and shout with joy you mountains
⇔ because Yahweh has comforted his people
⇔ ≈ and has compassion on them when they’re suffering.

OET-LV ISA 49:13

13 Shout _for _joy Oh _heaven and_be _glad Oh _earth and_break _forth Oh _mountains a _shout _of _joy if/because YHWH he _has _comforted people _of_his and_his _afflicted _of_people he _has _compassion _on.

Show passage in OET: ISA 54:7–8

OET-RV ISA 54:7

7 I abandoned you for a little while,
⇔ ^ but now I’ll bring you back with great compassion.

OET-RV ISA 54:8

8 I kept away from you for a while in a flood of severe anger,
⇔ but with my permanent loyal commitment, I’ll have compassion on you.
¶ Yahweh who paid the price for your freedom says:

OET-LV ISA 54:7

7 For_a _moment small I_abandoned _you and_in_compassion(s) great I_will _gather _you.

OET-LV ISA 54:8

8 In_a _flood _of severe _anger I _hid face _of_my a _moment from_you and_in_covenant _loyalty _of perpetuity I_will _have _compassion _on _you redeemer _of_your YHWH he _says.

Show passage in OET: JER 12:15

OET-RV JER 12:15

15 Then after I’ve uprooted them, I’ll have compassion on them again, and I’ll bring them back—each one back to their own inheritance and their own land.

OET-LV JER 12:15

15 And_it _was after I_have _plucked _up them I _will _return and_I_will _have _compassion _on _them and_I_will _bring _them _back everyone to_his _own _of_inheritance and_everyone to_his _own _of_land.

Show passage in OET: JER 30:18

OET-RV JER 30:18

18 Yahweh says this:
⇔ Listen, I’m restoring the fortune of Ya’akov’s (Jacob) descendants,
⇔ ≈ and I will have compassion on the places where they live.
⇔ Each city will be rebuilt on its mound,
⇔ ≈ and each fortress will sit on its proper place.

OET-LV JER 30:18

18 Thus YHWH he _says HERE_I am_about _to _turn _back the _captivity _of the _tents _of Yaˊₐqoⱱ/(Jacob) and_dwellings _of_its I _will _have _compassion and_ a _city _it _will _be _rebuilt on mound _of_its and_a _fortress on place _of_its _proper it _will _remain.

Show passage in OET: MIC 7:19

OET-RV MIC 7:19

19 You’ll have compassion on us yet again.
⇔ You’ll wipe away our disobedience.
⇔ ≈ You will throw all our sins into the deepest parts of the sea.

OET-LV MIC 7:19

19 He _will _return he_will _have _compassion _on _us he _will _subdue iniquities _of_our and_you _will _throw in_the_depths _of the_sea all _of sins _of_their.

Jump to OET KI2 13:23 section.

Jump to OET CH2 36:15 section.

Jump to OET PSA 78:38 section.

Jump to OET PSA 145:9 section.

Jump to OET PSA 77:9 section.

Jump to OET ISA 27:11 section.

Jump to OET ISA 63:15 section.

Jump to OET JER 13:14 section.

Jump to OET JER 21:7 section.

Jump to OET HOS 13:14 section.

Jump to OET DEU 30:3 section.

Jump to OET PSA 135:14 section.

Jump to OET ISA 14:1 section.

Jump to OET ISA 49:13 section.

Jump to OET ISA 54:7–8 section.

Jump to OET JER 12:15 section.

Jump to OET JER 30:18 section.

Jump to OET MIC 7:19 section.

In the NT, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, exactly reflected the Father’s compassion in his dealings with a fallen humanity. Jesus healed diseases and infirmities, cast out spirits, empowered others, and sent them out to do likewise. He fed hungry people and, in response to a mother’s grief, raised her only son from the dead. Following Jesus’ example, Christians are to show compassion in dealing with others. Jesus set forth the example in the parables of the Good Samaritan, who had compassion on a wounded traveler (Lk 10:33), and the Prodigal Son, whose father had compassion on him when he returned home (15:20).

Show passage in OET: LUK 10:33

OET-RV LUK 10:33

33 Then a man from Shomron (Samaria) who was on a trip came across him, and when he saw him he felt sorry for him

OET-LV LUK 10:33

33 But a_ certain _from _Samareia/(Shomrōn) journeying came to him, and having _seen he _was _feeling _compassion

Show passage in OET: LUK 15:20

OET-RV LUK 15:20

20 “So he got up and headed back to his father, but his father saw him coming from a distance and felt sorry for him. He ran and hugged his son and kissed him,

OET-LV LUK 15:20

20 And having _risen _up, he _came to the father of _himself.
But still being_ far _away from _him, the father of _him saw him, and was _feeling _compassion, and having _run, embraced on the neck of _him and kissed him.

Jump to OET LUK 10:33 section.

Jump to OET LUK 15:20 section.

The apostle Paul listed a number of qualities that the Colossian church “as God’s chosen ones” was to incorporate; the first was compassion (Col 3:12). It was to be an integral part of the concept of Christian community. The Greek word means literally “to be moved in one’s bowels.” The term points to the very core of one’s inner feelings, much as the term “heart” does today. One’s intense inner feelings should always lead to outward compassionate acts of mercy and kindness.

Tyndale Open Bible Dictionary