Jesus’ compassion for the harassed and helpless crowd is shown by the Greek esplanchnisthé: the strongest form of sympathy. Except for a few parables, this word is used in the Gospels to show Jesus’s compassion over pain, illness, suffering, demon oppression, sorrow, hunger, and confusion.
The Greek word translated as compassion
in Matthew 9:36, esplanchnisthé, indicates the strongest form of sympathy. With the exception of a few parables, this word is in the Gospels only used in respect to Jesus’ personal attitude towards others (see Matthew 9:36, Matthew 14:14, Matthew 15:32, Matthew 20:34; Mark 1:41, Matthew 8:1–34:2; Luke 7:13). It indicates Jesus’ compassion over pain and illness, over suffering and demon-oppressed people, and over those who are weeping, hungry, lonely, and confused.1
36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.