Matthew 15:32 Study Bible: Jesus summoned his disciples and said, "I have compassion on the crowd, because they continue with me now three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away fasting, or they might faint on the way."

◄ Matthew 15:32 ►

Then Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, "I have compassion for this crowd, because they have already been with Me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may faint along the way."

Study Bible

Then Jesus called His disciples to Him and said,

This phrase indicates a moment of teaching and leadership. Jesus often used such moments to instruct His disciples, preparing them for future ministry. The act of calling them to Him suggests a deliberate intention to impart wisdom or perform a significant act. This reflects the rabbinic tradition where a teacher would gather his students to convey important lessons.

Mat 14:15-16 When evening came, the disciples came to Him…
Jhn 6:5-6 When Jesus looked up and saw a large crowd…

“I have compassion for this crowd,

Jesus' compassion is a recurring theme in the Gospels, highlighting His divine empathy and love for humanity. This compassion is not just emotional but leads to action, demonstrating the heart of God towards His creation. The Greek word for compassion here implies a deep, visceral feeling, showing the intensity of Jesus' concern.

Mat 14:14 When He stepped ashore and saw a large crowd,…
Mat 9:36 When He saw the crowds, He was moved with compassion…

because they have already been with Me three days

The mention of three days signifies a period of complete devotion and interest from the crowd, who prioritized spiritual nourishment over physical needs. This mirrors the three days Jesus spent in the tomb, symbolizing a period of waiting and anticipation before a miraculous event. It also reflects the dedication of the people to follow Jesus despite the lack of resources.

Mrk 8:2 I have compassion for this crowd, because…
1Sa 30:12 a piece of a fig cake and two clusters of raisins.…

and have nothing to eat.

This highlights the physical needs of the crowd, emphasizing the human aspect of Jesus' ministry. It shows that while spiritual teaching is paramount, Jesus also cares for the physical well-being of His followers. This dual concern for both spiritual and physical needs is a model for holistic ministry.

Mrk 6:35-36 By now the hour was already late. So the disciples…
Jhn 6:9-13 Here is a boy with five barley loaves and two small fish.…

I do not want to send them away hungry,

Jesus' reluctance to send the crowd away hungry underscores His understanding of human frailty and His desire to provide. This reflects the biblical principle of God as a provider, seen throughout Scripture, such as in the provision of manna in the wilderness (Exodus 16).

Luk 9:12-13 As the day neared its end, the Twelve came to Jesus…
2Ki 4:42-44 Now a man from Baal-shalishah came to the man of God…

or they may faint along the way.”

This phrase indicates Jesus' foresight and care for the journey ahead, both physically and spiritually. It suggests that without divine intervention, the people would be unable to sustain themselves. This can be seen as a metaphor for spiritual sustenance, where Jesus provides what is necessary for the journey of faith, echoing His role as the Bread of Life (John 6:35).

Mrk 8:3 If I send them home hungry, they will faint along the way.…
Psa 107:5-9 They were hungry and thirsty; their soul fainted…

Persons / Places / Events

1. Jesus
The central figure in this passage, demonstrating His compassion and concern for the physical needs of the crowd.

2. Disciples
Followers of Jesus who are being taught and prepared for ministry; they are witnesses to Jesus' compassion and miraculous provision.

3. The Crowd
A large group of people who have been with Jesus for three days, eager to hear His teachings and witness His miracles.

4. The Wilderness
The setting of this event, emphasizing the isolation and the lack of resources available to the crowd.

Teaching Points

Compassion in Action
Jesus' compassion is not just a feeling but leads to action. As followers of Christ, we are called to act on our compassion for others.

Dependence on God
Just as the crowd depended on Jesus for their physical needs, we are reminded to depend on God for all our needs, trusting in His provision.

Spiritual and Physical Needs
Jesus cares for both the spiritual and physical needs of people. We should strive to address both aspects in our ministry and outreach.

Preparation for Ministry
Jesus uses this opportunity to teach His disciples about serving others and relying on God's power to meet needs beyond human capability.

Faith in God's Provision
This passage encourages us to have faith that God will provide for us, even in seemingly impossible situations.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does Jesus' compassion in this passage challenge us to respond to the needs of those around us?

2. In what ways can we demonstrate faith in God's provision in our daily lives, especially when resources seem scarce?

3. How can we balance addressing both the spiritual and physical needs of people in our communities?

4. What lessons can we learn from Jesus' interaction with His disciples in this passage about preparing for ministry?

5. How does this passage encourage us to trust in God's timing and provision, even when we are in a "wilderness" season of life?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Matthew 14:13-21
The feeding of the five thousand, which parallels this event and highlights Jesus' miraculous provision and compassion.

Mark 8:1-10
A parallel account of the feeding of the four thousand, providing additional details and context.

Exodus 16
The provision of manna in the wilderness, illustrating God's care and provision for His people in times of need.

Philippians 4:19
The promise that God will supply all our needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus, reflecting the same divine provision seen in this passage.

Sermons

Feeding of the Four Thousand	Marcus Dods	Matthew 15:29-39
The Compassion of Jesus	J.A. Macdonald	Matthew 15:32-39
The Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes	P. Brooks, D. D.	Matthew 15:32-39
The Miraculous Feeding of Four Thousand	Expository Outlines	Matthew 15:32-39
The Necessities of Man and the All-Sufficiency of Christ	J. Parker.	Matthew 15:32-39

People

Canaanitish, David, Isaiah, Jesus, Peter

Places

Genneseret, Jerusalem, Magadan, Sea of Galilee, Sidon, Tyre

Topics

Already, Anything, Collapse, Compassion, Continue, Crowd, Disciples, Eat, Faint, Fasting, Feel, Got, Haply, Heart, Hungry, Journey, Lest, Mass, Multitude, Nothing, Pity, Road, Stayed, Strength, Summoned, Third, Unwilling, Yearns

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Matthew 15:32

     2015   Christ, compassion
     2048   Christ, love of
     5013   heart, divine
     5448   poverty, attitudes to
     5844   emotions
     6689   mercy, of Christ
     8243   ethics, social
     8330   receptiveness
     8356   unselfishness

Matthew 15:32-37

5939 satisfaction

Matthew 15:32-38

     1330   God, the provider
     4418   bread
     5279   crowds

Library

Mother's Love
Eversley, Second Sunday in Lent, 1872. St Matthew xv. 22-28. "And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Then came she and worshipped him, saying, …
Charles Kingsley—All Saints' Day and Other Sermons

Crumbs and the Bread
'Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. 22. And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto Him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. 23. But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and besought Him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. 24. But He answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 25. Then came she and worshipped …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xv. 21,"Jesus Went Out Thence, and Withdrew into the Parts of Tyre and Sidon. And Behold, a Canaanitish Woman,"
1. This woman of Canaan, who has just now been brought before us in the lesson of the Gospel, shows us an example of humility, and the way of godliness; shows us how to rise from humility unto exaltation. Now she was, as it appears, not of the people of Israel, of whom came the Patriarchs, and Prophets, and the parents of the Lord Jesus Christ according to the flesh; of whom the Virgin Mary herself was, who was the Mother of Christ. This woman then was not of this people; but of the Gentiles. For, …
Saint Augustine—sermons on selected lessons of the new testament

The Perseverance of Faith
"Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour."--Matthew 15:28. I HAVE frequently spoken to you concerning the faith of this Canaanitish woman, of the way in which Christ tried it, and of the manner in which, at length, he honoured it, and granted all that the suppliant sought. The story is so full of meaning, that one might turn it this way, and that way, and the other way, and always see …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 38: 1892

Genesis xxvii. 38
And Esau said unto his father, Hast thou but one blessing, my father? Bless me, even me also, O my father. MATTHEW xv. 27. And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their master's table. Of these two passages, the first, as we must all remember, is taken from the first lesson of this morning's service; the second is from the morning's gospel. Both speak the same language, and point out, I think, that particular view of the story of Jacob obtaining the blessing …
Thomas Arnold—The Christian Life

Sermon for the Second Sunday in Lent
(From the Gospel for the day) Tells us how God drives forward some of His children by the struggle between the inward and outward man. Matt. xv. 21-28.--"Jesus went thence and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto Him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and besought Him, saying, Send her away, for she …
Susannah Winkworth—The History and Life of the Reverend Doctor John Tauler

How to Make Use of Christ for Cleansing of us from Our Daily Spots.
Having spoken of the way of making use of Christ for removing the guilt of our daily transgressions, we come to speak of the way of making use of Christ, for taking away the guilt that cleaveth to the soul, through daily transgressions; "for every sin defileth the man," Matt. xv. 20; and the best are said to have their spots, and to need washing, which presupposeth filthiness and defilement, Eph. v. 27. John xiii. 8-10. Hence we are so oft called to this duty of washing and making us clean. Isa. …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

Second Withdrawal from Herod's Territory.
^A Matt. XV. 21; ^B Mark VII. 24. ^b 24 And from thence ^a Jesus ^b arose, and went ^a out ^b away ^a and withdrew into the parts { ^b borders} of Tyre and Sidon. [The journey here is indicated in marked terms because it differs from any previously recorded, for it was the first time that Jesus ever entered a foreign or heathen country. Some commentators contend from the use of the word "borders" by Mark that Jesus did not cross over the boundary, but the point is not well taken, for Mark vii. 31 …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Another Avoiding of Herod's Territory.
^A Matt. XV. 29; ^B Mark VII. 31. ^b 31 And ^a Jesus ^b again went out. ^a And departed thence, ^b from the borders of Tyre, and came through Sidon, ^a and came nigh unto the sea of Galilee; ^b through the midst of the borders of Decapolis. ^a and he went up into a mountain, and sat down there. [From Tyre Jesus proceeded northward to Sidon and thence eastward across the mountains and the headwaters of the Jordan to the neighborhood of Damascus. Here he turned southward and approached the Sea of Galilee …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Jesus Fails to Attend the Third Passover.
Scribes Reproach Him for Disregarding Tradition. (Galilee, Probably Capernaum, Spring a.d. 29.) ^A Matt. XV. 1-20; ^B Mark VII. 1-23; ^D John VII. 1. ^d 1 And after these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Judæa, because the Jews sought to kill him. [John told us in his last chapter that the passover was near at hand. He here makes a general statement which shows that Jesus did not attend this passover. The reason for his absence is given at John v. 18.] ^a 1 Then there …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Healing a Phoenician Woman's Daughter.
(Region of Tyre and Sidon.) ^A Matt. XV. 22-28; ^B Mark VII. 24-30. ^b And he entered into a house, and would have no man know it [Jesus sought concealment for the purposes noted in the last section. He also, no doubt, desired an opportunity to impact private instruction to the twelve]; and he could not be hid. [The fame of Jesus had spread far and wide, and he and his disciples were too well known to escape the notice of any who had seen them or heard them described.] 25 But { ^a 22 And} behold, …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Deaf Stammerer Healed and Four Thousand Fed.
^A Matt. XV. 30-39; ^B Mark VII. 32-VIII. 9. ^b 32 And they bring unto him one that was deaf, and had an impediment in his speech [The man had evidently learned to speak before he lost his hearing. Some think that defective hearing had caused the impediment in his speech, but verse 35 suggests that he was tongue-tied]; and they beseech him to put his hand upon him. 33 And he took him aside from the multitude privately, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spat, and touched his tongue [He separated …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Third Withdrawal from Herod's Territory.
Subdivision A. Pharisaic Leaven. A Blind Man Healed. (Magadan and Bethsaida. Probably Summer, a.d. 29.) ^A Matt. XV. 39-XVI. 12; ^B Mark VIII. 10-26. ^b 10 And straightway he entered into the boat with his disciples, ^a and came into the borders of Magadan. ^b into the parts of Dalmanutha. [It appears from the context that he crossed the lake to the west shore. Commentators, therefore, pretty generally think that Magadan is another form of the name Magdala, and that Dalmanutha was either another …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Cavils of the Pharisees Concerning Purification, and the Teaching of the Lord Concerning Purity - the Traditions Concerning Hand-Washing' and Vows. '
As we follow the narrative, confirmatory evidence of what had preceded springs up at almost every step. It is quite in accordance with the abrupt departure of Jesus from Capernaum, and its motives, that when, so far from finding rest and privacy at Bethsaida (east of the Jordan), a greater multitude than ever had there gathered around Him, which would fain have proclaimed Him King, He resolved on immediate return to the western shore, with the view of seeking a quieter retreat, even though it were …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Jesus and the Syro-Phoenician Woman
THE purpose of Christ to withdraw His disciples from the excitement of Galilee, and from what might follow the execution of the Baptist, had been interrupted by the events at Bethsaida-Julias, but it was not changed. On the contrary, it must have been intensified. That wild, popular outburst, which had almost forced upon Him a Jewish Messiah-Kingship; the discussion with the Jerusalem Scribes about the washing of hands on the following day; the Discourses of the Sabbath, and the spreading disaffection, …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

A Group of Miracles among a Semi-Heathen Population
If even the brief stay of Jesus in that friendly Jewish home by the borders of Tyre could not remain unknown, the fame of the healing of the Syro-Phoenician maiden would soon have rendered impossible that privacy and retirement, which had been the chief object of His leaving Capernaum. Accordingly, when the two Paschal days were ended, He resumed His journey, extending it far beyond any previously undertaken, perhaps beyond what had been originally intended. The borders of Palestine proper, though …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

The Feeding of the Four Thousand - to Dalmanutha - the Sign from Heaven' - Journey to Cæsarea Philippi - what is the Leaven of The
THEY might well gather to Jesus in their thousands, with their wants of body and soul, these sheep wandering without a shepherd; for His Ministry in that district, as formerly in Galilee, was about to draw to a close. And here it is remarkable, that each time His prolonged stay and Ministry in a district were brought to a close with some supper, so to speak, some festive entertainment on his part. The Galilean Ministry had closed with the feeding of the five thousand, the guests being mostly from …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Intercourse of Jesus with the Pagans and the Samaritans.
Following out these principles, Jesus despised all religion which was not of the heart. The vain practices of the devotees,[1] the exterior strictness, which trusted to formality for salvation, had in him a mortal enemy. He cared little for fasting.[2] He preferred forgiveness to sacrifice.[3] The love of God, charity and mutual forgiveness, were his whole law.[4] Nothing could be less priestly. The priest, by his office, ever advocates public sacrifice, of which he is the appointed minister; he …
Ernest Renan—The Life of Jesus

To the High and Mighty Prince Charles, Prince of Wales.
Tolle malos, extolle pios, cognosce teipsum: Sacra tene, paci consule, disce pati. Christ Jesus, the Prince of princes, bless your Highness with length of days, and an increase of all graces, which may make you truly prosperous in this life, and eternally happy in that which is to come. Jonathan shot three arrows to drive David further off from Saul's fury; and this is the third epistle which I have written, to draw your Highness nearer to God's favour, by directing your heart to begin, like Josiah, …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

Introductory Note.
[a.d. 145-220.] When our Lord repulsed the woman of Canaan (Matt. xv. 22) with apparent harshness, he applied to her people the epithet dogs, with which the children of Israel had thought it piety to reproach them. When He accepted her faith and caused it to be recorded for our learning, He did something more: He reversed the curse of the Canaanite and showed that the Church was designed "for all people;" Catholic alike for all time and for all sorts and conditions of men. Thus the North-African …
Tertullian—Apology

Manifestly Also in the Gospel we Find the Mouth of the Heart...
32. Manifestly also in the Gospel we find the mouth of the heart: so that in one place the Lord is found to have mentioned the mouth both of the body and of the heart, where he saith, "Are ye also yet without understanding? Do ye not yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth, goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? but those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart, and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, …
St. Augustine—On Lying

Prayers on Pilgrimage. --"Lord Help Me. " --Matt. xv. 25
Prayers on Pilgrimage.--"Lord help me."--Matt. xv. 25. II. Blessed be Thy name, Jesus Christ!--the same Yesterday, to-day, for ever, What from Thee my soul shall sever, While I hear Thy voice, And in Thee rejoice? Guide me with Thine eye; Warn to fight or fly, When the foe, a lion raging, Or, with serpent guile assuaging, Comes in wrath to tear, Or by fraud ensnare. Hold me with Thine hand, For by faith I stand; On Thy strength my sole reliance, In Thy truth my whole affiance; Then where'er I …
James Montgomery—Sacred Poems and Hymns

Luther's Fourth Preface
To Valentine Bapst's Hymn-book, Leipzig, 1545. The xcvi Psalm saith: "Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth." The service of God in the old dispensation, under the law of Moses, was hard and wearisome. Many and divers sacrifices had men to offer, of all that they possessed, both in house and in field, which the people, being idle and covetous, did grudgingly or for some temporal advantage; as the prophet Malachi saith, chap. i., "who is there even among you that would shut …
Leonard Woolsey Bacon—The Hymns of Martin Luther

The Woman of Canaan
Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Then came she and worshipped him, saying, …
Richard Newton—The Life of Jesus Christ for the Young

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