Charles Spurgeon Commentary Matthew 14:14

"And he came forth, and saw a great multitude, and he had compassion on them, and healed their sick." — Matthew 14:14 (ASV)

When He left the boat and went forth, our Lord found a congregation waiting for Him. In the most emphatic sense, He saw the people and at the sight He was burdened. He was not angry at the great multitude, nor did He show disappointment at being balked in His pursuit of quiet, but He was moved with compassion.

The original word is very expressive. His whole being was stirred to its lowest depth, and therefore He proceeded at once to work miracles of mercy among them. They came unasked; He received them tenderly; He blessed them graciously; and eventually fed them bountifully. He was

And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.

Different persons take different views of multitudes, according to the state of their minds. Many an officer when he sees a multitude considers how long it would take to march them from a certain place. Another man begins calculating how much food they will all need. Another begins to estimate their wealth, another to calculate how many percent will die in the year.

But the Lord Jesus Christ's heart was so full of pity and mercy that, as he looked upon them, his natural response was to have compassion upon them. He healed their sick and helped them in their sorrows.