Lexical Summary splagchnizomai: To have compassion, to be moved with compassion Original Word: σπλαγχνίζομαι Strong's Exhaustive Concordance have compassion. Middle voice from splagchnon; to have the bowels yearn, i.e. (figuratively) feel sympathy, to pity -- have (be moved with) compassion. see GREEK splagchnon HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 4697 splagxnízomai – "from splanxna, 'the inward parts,' especially the nobler entrails – the heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys. These gradually came to denote the seat of the affections" (WS, 111). See 4698 (splangxnon). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom splagchnon Definition to be moved in the inward parts, i.e. to feel compassion NASB Translation feel compassion (2), felt compassion (7), moved with compassion (2), take pity (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4697: σπλαγχνίζομαισπλαγχνίζομαι; 1 aorist ἐσπλαγχνίσθην (cf. Buttmann, 52 (45)); (σπλάγχνον, which see); properly, to be moved as to one's bowels, hence, to be moved with compassion, have compassion (for the bowels were thought to be the seat of love and pity): absolutely, Luke 10:33; Luke 15:20; σπλαγχνισθείς with a finite verb, Matthew 20:34; Mark 1:41; τίνος, to pity one (cf. Winers Grammar, § 30, 10 a.; (Buttmann, § 132, 15; but others regard σπλαγχνισθείς in the following example as used absolutely and the genitive as depending on κύριος)), Matthew 18:27; ἐπί with the dative of the person, Matthew 14:14 G L T Tr WH; Mark 6:34 (R G); Luke 7:13 (where Tdf. ἐπί with the accusative); ἐπί τινα, Matthew 14:14 Rec.; Topical Lexicon BackgroundStrong’s Greek 4697 highlights a Spirit-wrought emotion in which the whole inner being is stirred toward merciful action. In the Synoptic Gospels this verb is tied almost exclusively to the ministry of Jesus Christ, with two parabolic exceptions and one plea from a desperate father. Occurrences in Narrative Settings Matthew 9:36; 14:14; 15:32; 20:34 Mark 1:41; 6:34; 8:2 In every narrative use, compassion becomes the hinge between human need and divine intervention. The verbs introduce healing (Matthew 14:14; 20:34; Mark 1:41), feeding (Matthew 15:32; Mark 8:2), teaching (Mark 6:34), and comfort to the bereaved (Luke 7:13). The consistent pattern is: Jesus sees → is moved → acts, underscoring that redemptive deeds spring from His compassionate heart. “Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man. ‘I am willing,’ He said. ‘Be clean!’” (Mark 1:41) Parabolic Uses Luke 10:33; 15:20 Within the Good Samaritan, the Prodigal’s Father, and the Unforgiving Servant, compassion is the defining difference between genuine righteousness and dead religiosity. Each parable mirrors divine mercy and issues a call to imitation. The father who “was filled with compassion” (Luke 15:20) images the Father’s readiness to forgive repentant sinners; the Samaritan demonstrates neighbor-love that crosses ethnic, social, and religious barriers; the king who forgives an unpayable debt exposes the hypocrisy of receiving mercy while withholding it. A Plea for Compassion Mark 9:22 records the only request addressed directly to Jesus with this verb: “But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” The father of the demoniac appeals to the same motive that repeatedly governed the Lord’s own initiative, revealing that faith recognizes the benevolent character of Christ. Theological Significance 1. Revelation of Divine Character Jesus’ compassion is not mere emotion; it is the incarnate disclosure of Yahweh’s covenant mercy (Exodus 34:6). What the Psalms attribute to the Lord—“compassionate and gracious”—the Gospels portray in action. 2. Bridge between Teaching and Power Compassion ensures that proclamation does not eclipse practical care. Mark 6:34 joins compassion with teaching, affirming that orthodoxy and benevolence belong together. 3. Motivation for Atonement The same compassion that heals lepers culminates at Calvary. Isaiah foresaw Messiah “bearing our griefs”; the Gospel narratives validate that prophecy through repeated acts of pity that anticipate the cross. Historical and Ministry Implications Early Christian writers appealed to Christ’s compassion when defending care for orphans, widows, and the sick. Hospitals, almsgiving, and missions trace their ethos to a Savior who “had compassion on them and healed their sick” (Matthew 14:14). For contemporary ministry, the verb confronts two extremes: detached orthodoxy and sentimental activism. Scripture weds truth and tenderness. Genuine compassion: • Looks upon need with understanding eyes. Pastoral Applications • Preaching: Let every exposition of doctrine lead hearers to the compassionate Christ. Eschatological Echoes The compassion of Jesus anticipates the final gathering when the Shepherd-King welcomes the righteous who served “the least of these” (Matthew 25:40). Present acts of mercy carry eternal weight. Conclusion Strong’s 4697 threads through the Gospels as a scarlet cord of divine pity, binding together miracle, message, and mission. To know Jesus rightly is to experience and extend this compassion until He comes. Forms and Transliterations εσπλαγχνισθη εσπλαγχνίσθη ἐσπλαγχνίσθη Σπλαγχνιζομαι Σπλαγχνίζομαι σπλαγχνισθεις σπλαγχνισθείς σπλαγχνισθεὶς esplanchnisthe esplanchnisthē esplanchnísthe esplanchnísthē splanchnistheis splanchnistheìs Splanchnizomai SplanchnízomaiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 9:36 V-AIP-3SGRK: τοὺς ὄχλους ἐσπλαγχνίσθη περὶ αὐτῶν NAS: the people, He felt compassion for them, because KJV: the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on INT: the crowds he was moved with compassion for them Matthew 14:14 V-AIP-3S Matthew 15:32 V-PIM/P-1S Matthew 18:27 V-APP-NMS Matthew 20:34 V-APP-NMS Mark 1:41 V-APP-NMS Mark 6:34 V-AIP-3S Mark 8:2 V-PIM/P-1S Mark 9:22 V-APP-NMS Luke 7:13 V-AIP-3S Luke 10:33 V-AIP-3S Luke 15:20 V-AIP-3S Strong's Greek 4697 |
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