Empathy is at the heart of Christianity. Jesus Christ, our perfect example, showed kindness and compassion to those who were suffering, rejected, or lost. He reached out to the broken, healed the sick, and comforted the weary. His love teaches us to care for others with the same grace and mercy.
The Bible calls us to love one another deeply and bear each other’s burdens. It reminds us that true faith is expressed through kindness, patience, and understanding. When we empathize with others, we reflect the love of Christ and strengthen the body of believers.
Below are Bible verses that emphasize its importance. These scriptures encourage us to walk in love, show mercy, and extend compassion to those around us, just as Jesus did.
Preachers Quotes
“God never said that the journey would be easy, but He did say that the arrival would be worthwhile.” – Max Lucado
“The Christian life is not about finding safety and comfort; it’s about finding yourself in a dangerous place of vulnerable compassion.” – Brennan Manning
“Empathy is not simply feeling sorry for someone. It is stepping into their shoes and truly seeking to understand their pain.” – Rick Warren
“People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” – John C. Maxwell
“If we are to love our neighbors as ourselves, then we must first see our neighbors as ourselves.” – C.S. Lewis
“The greatest gift you can give to someone is your presence. It is a ministry of empathy, reflecting the love of Christ.” – Dietrich Bonhoeffer
“Our love to God is measured by our everyday fellowship with others and the love it displays.” – Andrew Murray
You might also be interested in: Bible verses about Brotherhood
Bible Verses About Empathy
Romans 12:15 – Rejoice and Weep with Others
“Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.” – Romans 12:15
Galatians 6:2 – Bear One Another’s Burdens
“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” – Galatians 6:2
Matthew 7:12 – The Golden Rule
“Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” – Matthew 7:12
1 Peter 3:8 – Have Compassion and Love
“Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous.” – 1 Peter 3:8
Luke 6:36 – Be Merciful as God is Merciful
“Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.” – Luke 6:36
Hebrews 13:3 – Remember Those in Prison
“Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also.” – Hebrews 13:3
Colossians 3:12 – Clothe Yourselves with Compassion
“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering.” – Colossians 3:12
Proverbs 31:8-9 – Speak for Those Who Cannot Speak
“Open your mouth for the speechless, in the cause of all who are appointed to die. Open your mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.” – Proverbs 31:8-9
Philippians 2:4 – Look Out for Others’ Interests
“Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” – Philippians 2:4
Isaiah 58:10 – Satisfy the Afflicted Soul
“If you extend your soul to the hungry and satisfy the afflicted soul, then your light shall dawn in the darkness, and your darkness shall be as the noonday.” – Isaiah 58:10
Zechariah 7:9-10 – Show Mercy and Compassion
“Thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘Execute true justice, show mercy and compassion everyone to his brother. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. Let none of you plan evil in his heart against his brother.’” – Zechariah 7:9-10
James 2:15-16 – Faith Without Works is Dead
“If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,’ but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?” – James 2:15-16
Matthew 9:36 – Jesus’ Compassion for the Multitudes
“But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.” – Matthew 9:36
Psalm 82:3 – Defend the Weak
“Defend the poor and fatherless; do justice to the afflicted and needy.” – Psalm 82:3
Micah 6:8 – Walk Humbly with God
“He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” – Micah 6:8
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 – The God of All Comfort
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” – 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Proverbs 14:21 – Blessed is He Who Has Mercy
“He who despises his neighbor sins; but he who has mercy on the poor, happy is he.” – Proverbs 14:21
1 John 3:17 – Show Love in Action
“But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?” – 1 John 3:17
Matthew 5:7 – The Merciful Shall Obtain Mercy
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” – Matthew 5:7
Job 6:14 – Comfort the Suffering
“To him who is afflicted, kindness should be shown by his friend, even though he forsakes the fear of the Almighty.” – Job 6:14
Luke 10:33-34 – The Good Samaritan’s Compassion
“But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.” – Luke 10:33-34
Isaiah 1:17 – Seek Justice, Defend the Oppressed
“Learn to do good; seek justice, rebuke the oppressor; defend the fatherless, plead for the widow.” – Isaiah 1:17
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 – Two are Better Than One
“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up!” – Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
Psalm 34:18 – The Lord is Near to the Brokenhearted
“The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit.” – Psalm 34:18
Romans 15:1 – Bear with the Weak
“We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves.” – Romans 15:1
Deuteronomy 15:7-8 – Be Open-Handed to the Poor
“If there is among you a poor man of your brethren, within any of the gates in your land which the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart nor shut your hand from your poor brother, but you shall open your hand wide to him and willingly lend him sufficient for his need, whatever he needs.” – Deuteronomy 15:7-8
Mark 6:34 – Jesus Had Compassion for the People
“And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things.” – Mark 6:34
Psalm 41:1 – Blessed is He Who Considers the Poor
“Blessed is he who considers the poor; the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble.” – Psalm 41:1
Zephaniah 3:17 – God Rejoices Over You
“The Lord your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” – Zephaniah 3:17
Luke 7:13 – Jesus Had Compassion for the Widow
“When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, ‘Do not weep.’” – Luke 7:13
Psalm 103:13 – The Lord Has Compassion on His Children
“As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear Him.” – Psalm 103:13
John 13:34-35 – Love One Another
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” – John 13:34-35
Matthew 25:40 – Whatever You Do for Others, You Do for Christ
“And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’” – Matthew 25:40
Psalm 147:3 – He Heals the Brokenhearted
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” – Psalm 147:3
2 Peter 1:7 – Show Brotherly Kindness
“To godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.” – 2 Peter 1:7
Matthew 11:28 – Come to Jesus for Rest
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28
2 Corinthians 8:9 – Christ Became Poor for Our Sake
“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.” – 2 Corinthians 8:9
Psalm 116:5 – The Lord is Gracious and Righteous
“Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; Yes, our God is merciful.” – Psalm 116:5
Romans 13:10 – Love Does No Harm
“Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” – Romans 13:10
Matthew 6:14 – Forgive Others
“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” – Matthew 6:14
If you’re interested, here’s another article on: Bible verses about Loving Everyone
What does the Bible say about Empathy
The Bible teaches us that empathy is very important in our daily lives. Empathy means understanding how someone else feels and caring about their struggles. God wants us to love others, show kindness, and help those in need. The Bible is full of stories and teachings that encourage us to be compassionate.
Jesus is the best example of empathy. He always cared for people who were suffering. In Matthew 9:36, it says that when Jesus saw the crowds, He felt deep compassion because they were lost and troubled. He healed the sick, fed the hungry, and comforted the brokenhearted. He did not ignore people’s pain but chose to walk with them in their struggles.
In John 11:35, the Bible tells us that “Jesus wept” when He saw Mary and others mourning for Lazarus. Even though He knew He would raise Lazarus from the dead, He still shared in their sorrow. This shows us that true empathy means feeling what others feel.
The Bible also commands us to care for others. In Galatians 6:2, it says, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” This means we should help each other in difficult times. Romans 12:15 tells us to “rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.” When someone is happy, we should be happy for them. When someone is sad, we should comfort them.
God also wants us to help the poor and the needy. Proverbs 31:8-9 tells us to “speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves.” We should not turn away from those who are suffering. Instead, we should be like the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:30-37, who helped a man who had been beaten and left on the road. He did not ignore the man’s pain but took care of him. Jesus said we should follow this example and love our neighbors.
Empathy is a way of showing God’s love to others. When we care for people, we reflect the kindness and mercy of God. The Bible makes it clear that we should not be selfish but should always think about how we can help those around us. By showing empathy, we obey God’s command to love one another as He has loved us.