Matthew Henry Commentary Esther 4:1-4

"Now when Mordecai knew all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry; and he came even before the king`s gate: for none might enter within the king`s gate clothed with sackcloth. And in every province, whithersoever the king`s commandment and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes. And Esther`s maidens and her chamberlains came and told it her; and the queen was exceedingly grieved: and she sent raiment to clothe Mordecai, and to take his sackcloth from off him; but he received it not." — Esther 4:1-4 (ASV)

Mordecai avowed his relation to the Jews. Public calamities, which oppress the church of God, should affect our hearts more than any private affliction, and it is particularly distressing to cause sufferings to others. God will protect those who are exposed to evil because of the tenderness of their consciences.