What does the Bible say about compassion?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible teaches that compassion is a Christlike response of tender mercy that sees others' need, bears their burdens, and acts in love, flowing from the grace God has shown us. Jesus looked on needy crowds with compassion, like sheep without a shepherd, and ministered to them in Matthew 9:36, Mark 6:34, and Matthew 14:14. Because God is the Father of mercies who comforts His people, believers are called to comfort others in affliction (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). Ephesians 4:32 and Colossians 3:12-13 join compassion with kindness, forgiveness, humility, and patience. True compassion is not mere feeling but generous care for brothers and sisters in need (1 John 3:17), reflecting the gospel's transforming work.
Top passages, ranked by readers
Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Ephesians 4:32 6 votes
And be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you.
- Mark 6:34 4 votes
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.
- Colossians 3:12-13 4 votes
Put on therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so you also do.
- 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 3 votes
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, through the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
- Galatians 6:2 3 votes
Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
- 1 Peter 3:8 2 votes
Finally, all of you be like-minded, compassionate, loving as brothers, tenderhearted, courteous,
- 1 John 3:17 2 votes
But whoever has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, then closes his heart of compassion against him, how does God’s love remain in him?
- Colossians 3:12 2 votes
Put on therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance;
- Matthew 9:36 2 votes
But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion for them because they were harassed and scattered, like sheep without a shepherd.
- Matthew 14:14 2 votes
Jesus went out, and he saw a great multitude. He had compassion on them and healed their sick.
Related topics
Go deeper
Ask Explain Bible AI about compassion and get a fuller answer from a Reformed theological perspective.
Ask what the Bible says about compassion