Mark 6:34-44 34And when he got out, he saw a large crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things. 35And when it had already become late, after coming to him, his disciples said, “This is a desolate place, and the hour is now late. 36Send them away so that they may go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something so they might eat.”
The crowds had been following the progress of Jesus and the apostles as they journeyed across the water. Verse 34 functions as a transition. The same idea is found in a different context in Matthew 9:36 but has the same sense. Jesus looked at all the people following him and had compassion (esplangchnisthē). This word stands out in the gospels in reference to one of Jesus’ character qualities. It comes from a word that describes the gut area of the body where one might feel “butterflies” or a sense of sickness when nervous or worried. Compassion comes from the deepest part of a person. Compassion must not simply be a feeling or emotion but must lead to action.
Since the people were like lost sheep, Jesus serves as the shepherd who gathered the lost or hurting sheep and care for their needs. People are lost because they cannot find the truth; Jesus is the truth and speaks the truth. People cannot take care of their deepest needs; Jesus provides the spiritual nourishment that sustains life. People have no defense against evil and deceivers; Jesus is the protector and all-powerful Lord over all creation.
Jesus showed compassion in two ways in this story. The first is stated in verse 34: he taught them. Their most crucial need was spiritual in nature. They needed to know the good news to experience true life. There is much more to our existence that trying to live from day to day.
The rest of the story is in response to the people’s second need for food. The disciples had been hanging around Jesus for a while now. As they watched him, some of his character was rubbing off on them. They were catching on to the compassion Jesus showed and saw the gathered people and that the situation was not looking comfortable for them. It was late in the day and far away from any marketplaces or restaurants. The best solution was to have the people go away and find some food.
The disciples’ compassion was good but still short-sighted. They were looking at the surface need for physical food when Jesus was providing the more crucial spiritual food. The disciples had a great idea to send the people away to get something to eat, but they had missed the most important matter. They did not see the greater need for spiritual food that Jesus provided. They knew something needed to happen but only saw things from an earthly perspective. Jesus was about kingdom business. Everything is setup for Jesus to act, but he does it in ways the disciples were not expecting.
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