In the verse above, Matthew paints a word picture that helps us see through Jesus' eyes for a moment. As he looks out over the crowd, he sees more than nameless faces...more than just a mass of humanity. He sees individuals — with individual stories. He sees a people in survival mode. Desperate for change. Weary from the strain of sin. Aimless. Helpless. Hopeless.

And Matthew records in his gospel that Jesus is "moved with compassion" for the people.

Why did Matthew choose the word "compassion" to describe what Jesus was feeling at that moment? What depth lies in a word that can seem so commonplace?

When such questions arise, it's helpful to have quick access to a few word study tools that can help us understand a word's meaning as it was originally written.

Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way.

The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.

So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him.

And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean.

But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.