MARK 6:34 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, orange:accusative/object.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT And having come out, he saw a large crowd, and he had compassion on them because they were like sheep not having a shepherd, and he began to teach them many things.

UST When Jesus got out of the boat, he saw a large group of people. He noticed that they were like sheep who did not have a sheepherder to lead them and to take care of them. So, he pitied them and started to instruct them about many things.

BSB When [Jesus] stepped ashore [and] saw a large crowd, He had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And He began to teach them many things.

MSB When Jesus stepped ashore [and] saw a large crowd, He had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And He began to teach them many things.

BLB And having gone out, He saw a great crowd and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. And He began to teach them many things.

AICNT And when {he}[fn] went ashore, he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd, and he began to teach them many things.

6:34, he: Some manuscripts read “Jesus.”

OEB On getting out of the boat, Jesus saw a great crowd, and his heart was moved at the sight of them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.

WEBBE Jesus came out, saw a great multitude, and he had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.

WMBB Yeshua came out, saw a great multitude, and he had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.

NET As Jesus came ashore he saw the large crowd and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he taught them many things.

LSV and having come forth, Jesus saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion on them, that they were as sheep not having a shepherd, and He began to teach many things.

FBV When Jesus got off the boat he saw a huge crowd, and he felt pity for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began to teach them about many things.

TCNT When Jesus went ashore and saw a large crowd, he was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began to teach them many things.

T4T As Jesus and his disciples got out of the boat, Jesus saw this large crowd. He felt sorry for them because they were confused, like sheep that do not have a shepherd. So he taught them many things.

LEB And getting out of the boat[fn] he saw the large crowd and had compassion on them, because they were like sheep _⌊without_⌋[fn] a shepherd, and he began to teach them many things.

6:34 *The words “of the boat” are not in the Greek text but are implied by this verb, which refers to disembarking from a boat or ship

6:34 Literally “not having”

BBE And he got out, and saw a great mass of people, and he had pity on them, because they were like sheep without a keeper: and he gave them teaching about a number of things.

Moff So when Jesus disembarked he saw a large crowd, and out of pity for them, as they were like sheep without a shepherd, he proceeded to teach them at length.

Wymth So when Jesus landed, He saw a vast multitude; and His heart was moved with pity for them, because they were like sheep which have no shepherd, and He proceeded to teach them many things.

ASV And he came forth and saw a great multitude, and he had compassion on them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.

DRA And Jesus going out saw a great multitude: and he had compassion on them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd, and he began to teach them many things.

YLT and having come forth, Jesus saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion on them, that they were as sheep not having a shepherd, and he began to teach many things.

Drby And on leaving [the ship] [Jesus] saw a great crowd, and he was moved with compassion for them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things.

RV And he came forth and saw a great multitude, and he had compassion on them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.

SLT And Jesus, having come out, saw a great crowd, and felt compassion for them, for they were as sheep having not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.

Wbstr And Jesus, when he came out, saw many people, and was moved with compassion towards them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.

KJB-1769 And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.

KJB-1611 And Iesus when he came out, saw much people, and was moued with compassion toward them, because they were as sheepe not hauing a shepherd: and hee beganne to teach them many things.
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above, apart from punctuation)

Bshps And Iesus went out, and sawe much people, and had compassion on them, because they were lyke sheepe, not hauyng a sheepheard: And he began to teache them many thynges.
(And Yesus/Yeshua went out, and saw much people, and had compassion on them, because they were like sheep, not having a shepherd: And he began to teach them many things.)

Gnva Then Iesus went out, and sawe a great multitude, and had compassion on them, because they were like sheepe which had no shepheard: and he began to teach them many things.
(Then Yesus/Yeshua went out, and saw a great multitude, and had compassion on them, because they were like sheep which had no shepherd: and he began to teach them many things. )

Cvdl And Iesus wente out, and sawe moch people, and had copassion vpon them: for they were as the shepe, that haue no shepherde, and he begane a loge sermon.
(And Yesus/Yeshua went out, and saw much people, and had compassion upon them: for they were as the sheep, that have no shepherd, and he began a long sermon.)

TNT And Iesus went out and sawe moche people and had compassion on them because they were lyke shepe which had no shepeherde. And he beganne to teache them many thinges.
(And Yesus/Yeshua went out and saw much people and had compassion on them because they were like sheep which had no shepherd. And he began to teach them many things. )

Wycl And Jhesus yede out, and saiy myche puple, and hadde reuth on hem, for thei weren as scheep not hauynge a scheepherd. And he bigan to teche hem many thingis.
(And Yhesus went out, and say much people, and had pity/sorrow on hem, for they were as sheep not having a shepherd. And he began to teach hem many things.)

Luth Und JEsus ging heraus und sah das große Volk; und es jammerte ihn derselben, denn sie waren wie die Schafe, die keinen Hirten haben; und fing an eine lange Predigt.
(And Yesus went out_of_here and saw the large people; and it moaned him/it the_same, because/than they/she/them were as/like the sheep, the none shepherds have; and caught at/to a/one long sermon.)

ClVg Et exiens vidit turbam multam Jesus: et misertus est super eos, quia erant sicut oves non habentes pastorem, et cœpit docere multa.[fn]
(And going_out he_saw crowd a_lot Yesus: and pitiful it_is over them, because they_were like sheep not/no having shepherd, and he_began to_teach fine. )

6.34 Et misertus est. BEDA. Quomodo misertus sit, Matthæus plenius exponit hoc modo: Et misertus est eis, et curavit languores eorum. Hoc est enim pauperum et non habentium pastorem veraciter misereri, et viam veritatis aperire, et languidos curare et jejunos reficiendo ad laudem supernæ largitatis animare; quæ sequentia eum fecisse declarant.

6.34 And pitiful it_is. BEDA. How/In_what_manner pitiful be, Matthew more_fully explains this just/only: And pitiful it_is to_them, and cured illnesses their. This it_is because of_the_poor and not/no havingum shepherd truthfully misereri, and way/road to_the_truths to_open, and languidos to_take_care_of and yeyunos reficiendo to praise above largitatis to_animate; which following him have_done declare.

UGNT καὶ ἐξελθὼν, εἶδεν πολὺν ὄχλον καὶ ἐσπλαγχνίσθη ἐπ’ αὐτοὺς, ὅτι ἦσαν ὡς πρόβατα μὴ ἔχοντα ποιμένα; καὶ ἤρξατο διδάσκειν αὐτοὺς πολλά.
(kai exelthōn, eiden polun oⱪlon kai esplagⱪnisthaʸ ep’ autous, hoti aʸsan hōs probata maʸ eⱪonta poimena; kai aʸrxato didaskein autous polla.)

SBL-GNT καὶ ἐξελθὼν ⸀εἶδεν πολὺν ὄχλον, καὶ ἐσπλαγχνίσθη ἐπʼ ⸀αὐτοὺς ὅτι ἦσαν ὡς πρόβατα μὴ ἔχοντα ποιμένα, καὶ ἤρξατο διδάσκειν αὐτοὺς πολλά.
(kai exelthōn ⸀eiden polun oⱪlon, kai esplagⱪnisthaʸ epʼ ⸀autous hoti aʸsan hōs probata maʸ eⱪonta poimena, kai aʸrxato didaskein autous polla.)

RP-GNT Καὶ ἐξελθὼν εἶδεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς πολὺν ὄχλον, καὶ ἐσπλαγχνίσθη ἐπ' αὐτοῖς, ὅτι ἦσαν ὡς πρόβατα μὴ ἔχοντα ποιμένα· καὶ ἤρξατο διδάσκειν αὐτοὺς πολλά.
(Kai exelthōn eiden ho Yaʸsous polun oⱪlon, kai esplagⱪnisthaʸ ep' autois, hoti aʸsan hōs probata maʸ eⱪonta poimena; kai aʸrxato didaskein autous polla.)

TC-GNT Καὶ ἐξελθὼν [fn]εἶδεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς πολὺν ὄχλον, καὶ ἐσπλαγχνίσθη ἐπ᾽ [fn]αὐτοῖς, ὅτι ἦσαν ὡς πρόβατα μὴ ἔχοντα ποιμένα· καὶ ἤρξατο διδάσκειν αὐτοὺς πολλά.
(Kai exelthōn eiden ho Yaʸsous polun oⱪlon, kai esplagⱪnisthaʸ ep autois, hoti aʸsan hōs probata maʸ eⱪonta poimena; kai aʸrxato didaskein autous polla. )

6:34 ειδεν ο ιησους ¦ ο ιησους ειδε ANT ¦ ειδε CT

6:34 αυτοις ¦ αυτους ECM^† NA SBL TH WH

Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs, red:words differ (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 6:30–44: Jesus did a miracle to feed more than five thousand people

Here Mark resumed the story about Jesus and his twelve apostles. In this section the twelve apostles came back to Jesus and told him about their mission in the Jewish villages. Then Jesus and the apostles went away to find a quiet place to rest. But crowds of people came there to see Jesus. Jesus taught the crowds of people and then did a miracle in order to give them all food to eat.

It is good to translate this section before you decide on a heading for it.

Here are some other possible headings for this section:

Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand (NIV)

The Feeding of the Five Thousand (NET)

Jesus fed five thousand people in a miraculous way

There are parallel passages for this section in Matthew 14:13–21; Luke 9:10–17; John 6:1–14. See also a similar story, where Jesus fed four thousand people, in Matthew 15:32–39 and Mark 8:1–10.

Paragraph 6:33–38

Many people saw Jesus and the twelve apostles leaving and followed them. Jesus had compassion on them and taught them. When evening came, the apostles wanted Jesus to send the crowds away, because there was nothing for the people to eat. The apostles did not know any way to feed so many people.

6:34

It is important to understand how the parts of this verse fit together. The main idea of the verse is that Jesus had compassion on the people (6:34b). The reason why he felt compassion is that they were like sheep without a shepherd (6:34c). The result of his compassion is that he taught them (6:34d).

In some languages it may be more natural to reorder some of the parts of this verse. See the General Comment on 6:34b–c after 6:34c for one way to do this.

6:34a

When Jesus stepped ashore and saw a large crowd,

When Jesus got out of the boat, he saw many people
So the boat arrived at the shore and Jesus got out. He found a huge crowd there,

When Jesus stepped ashore: The Greek word that the BSB translates as When Jesus stepped ashore is literally “having got out.” This refers to the boat arriving at the shore and Jesus getting out of the boat. You may need to include some implied information to make this clear in your language. Here are some examples:

When Jesus landed (NIV)

Jesus got out of the boat (GNT)

The boat arrived at the shore and Jesus got out

and saw a large crowd: The people who were running there from all the nearby towns had become a large group of over five thousand people (6:44).

6:34b

He had compassion on them,

and he cared about them,
and he pitied them,

He had compassion on them: The Greek word that the BSB translates as had compassion means “had understanding and pity” or “felt sympathy.” Jesus understood the people and their troubles.

Here are some ways to express this:

he…felt sorry for them (GW)

he felt sympathy for them

You may have an idiomatic way to translate this term. In English, some examples are:

his heart was filled with pity for them (GNT)

his heart went out to them (REB)

The noun compassion may also be translated by a verb. For example:

he cared

he pitied

See how you translated the phrase “Moved with compassion” in 1:41a.

6:34c

because they were like sheep without a shepherd.

because they were like sheep without a shepherd/herder to guide and care for them.
because they were like domestic animals called sheep that had no one to lead/herd them and take care of them.

because: The word because introduces the reason why Jesus felt compassion on the people.

Here is another way to translate this:

The reason is, they were like sheep

Some English versions leave a specific reason word implied. For example, the GW says:

They were like sheep

Introduce this reason in a way that is natural in your language.

they were like sheep without a shepherd: The clause they were like sheep without a shepherd is a figure of speech. It compares the people to sheep without a shepherd. A shepherd is someone who cares for sheep. The people were like sheep without a shepherd because they had no leaders who really cared for them.

Here are some ways to translate this figure of speech:

Translate the figure of speech without making explicit how the people were like sheep with no shepherd. For example:
they were like sheep that had no herder/leader
Translate the figure of speech and make explicit how the people were like sheep with no shepherd. For example:
they had no one to properly lead them and care for them, just like sheep without a shepherd/herder

In this context, the word sheep is used to describe the people, so it is possible to translate the meaning without the comparison. For example:

because they had no leader to care for them

However if possible, it is good to keep the comparison with sheep, because sheep are an important figure of speech in many places in the Bible. See the note on “shepherd” later in this part of the verse.

sheep: The word sheep refers to domestic animals that are raised for meat and for wool. In some languages there may not be a word for “sheep.” If that is true in your language, you may borrow the word for “sheep” and indicate its meaning with a general word such as “herd/flock” or “animals.” For example:

animals called sheep

herd/flock of sheep

If people are not familiar with sheep in your area, it is suggested that you insert a picture in your translation.

shepherd: As stated in the preceding notes, a shepherd is a person who takes care of sheep. If there is no word for shepherd in your language, you may be able to use a descriptive phrase. For example:

person who cares for sheep

If your language has a general word for someone who takes care of animals, you may be able to use it here. However, the word should describe a person who stays with the animals and cares for them, as biblical shepherds do. In some places a herder may take the animals to a pasture, then leave them tied there for the day. If that is true in your area, the word for that herder will not fit this context, and a descriptive phrase will be more accurate.

You may want to add a footnote in your translation to give more information about shepherds. For example:

A shepherd is someone who takes care of sheep. He leads them to water and good pastures and protects them from wild animals. Shepherds were common in Jewish culture. They were frequently used in the Bible to illustrate how God takes care of his people. For example, see Psalm 23.

General Comment on 6:34b–c

In this verse, 6:34c expresses the reason for the result in 6:34b. In some languages, it may be more natural to change the order of these clauses. For example:

^34cThey were like sheep without a shepherd. ^34bThat is why he had compassion on them.

6:34d

And He began to teach them many things.

So he/Jesus taught them many things.

And He began to teach them: The Greek phrase that the BSB translates as And he began to teach them shows a transition in the story. Jesus and the disciples had come to rest, but instead, Jesus began to teach the people who had run to him. See how you translated the words “began to teach” in 6:2b.

many things: The Greek word that the BSB translates as many things can have at least two meanings. English versions interpret it in two different ways here:

It means many things. For example, the GNT says:
So he began to teach them many things. (BSB, NIV, KJV, RSV, GNT, NASB, REB, NLT, CEV, NET, NCV, JBP)
It means for a long while. For example, the GW says:
So he spent a lot of time teaching them. (NJB, GW)

It is recommended that you follow option (1), as the majority of English versions do. There is some meaning in common, since it would take time to teach many things.

In some languages it may not be natural to express the object of teach as a “thing.” If that is true in your language, you may be able to say:

he taught them much

Use an expression in your language that fits naturally with a word like “teach.”

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

ἐξελθὼν

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Καί ἐξελθών εἶδεν πολύν ὄχλον καί ἐσπλαγχνίσθη ἐπʼ αὐτούς ὅτι ἦσαν ὡς πρόβατα μή ἔχοντα ποιμένα καί ἤρξατο διδάσκειν αὐτούς πολλά)

Here Mark implies that Jesus came out of the boat in which he and the disciples were sailing. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make that idea more explicit. Alternate translation: [having come out of the boat] or [having disembarked]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / go

ἐξελθὼν

In a context such as this, your language might say “gone” instead of come. Alternate translation: [having gone out]

Note 3 topic: grammar-connect-logic-result

ἐσπλαγχνίσθη ἐπ’ αὐτοὺς, ὅτι ἦσαν ὡς πρόβατα μὴ ἔχοντα ποιμένα

˱he˲_˓was˒_feeling_compassion to (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Καί ἐξελθών εἶδεν πολύν ὄχλον καί ἐσπλαγχνίσθη ἐπʼ αὐτούς ὅτι ἦσαν ὡς πρόβατα μή ἔχοντα ποιμένα καί ἤρξατο διδάσκειν αὐτούς πολλά)

If it would be more natural in your language, you could reverse the order of these clauses, since the second clause gives the reason for the result that the first clause describes. Alternate translation: [because they were like sheep not having a shepherd, he had compassion on them]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

ἐσπλαγχνίσθη ἐπ’

˱he˲_˓was˒_feeling_compassion to

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of compassion, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: [he sympathized with]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / simile

ὅτι ἦσαν ὡς πρόβατα μὴ ἔχοντα ποιμένα

because ˱they˲_were as sheep (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Καί ἐξελθών εἶδεν πολύν ὄχλον καί ἐσπλαγχνίσθη ἐπʼ αὐτούς ὅτι ἦσαν ὡς πρόβατα μή ἔχοντα ποιμένα καί ἤρξατο διδάσκειν αὐτούς πολλά)

Here Mark compares the people who were there to sheep who do not have a shepherd. Just as sheep without a shepherd have no one to lead and take care of them, so the people have no one to lead and take care of them. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning of the simile more explicitly. Alternate translation: [because, like sheep without a shepherd, they did not know what to do or where to go]

Parallel MARK 6:34