How many times is compassion mentioned in the Bible?
The word compassion appears 41 times in the King James Version, in 39 verses. Counting every form (compassion, compassions), it appears 43 times in 41 verses across 21 of the 66 books. The World English Bible uses compassion 56 times.
Compassion in the King James Version and the World English Bible
Each form of compassion counted in each translation.
| Form | KJV | WEB |
|---|---|---|
| compassion | 41 | 56 |
| compassions | 2 | 0 |
| Total | 43 | 56 |
Which books mention compassion most
Compassion appears in 21 books of the 66 in the King James Version. Matthew has the most (6), then Psalms (5) and Mark (5).
Also in: Ezekiel (1), Micah (1), Zechariah (1), 1 Peter (1), 1 John (1), Jude (1).
First and last mention of compassion
And when she had opened it, she saw the child: and, behold, the babe wept. And she had compassion on him, and said, This is one of the Hebrews’ children.
And of some have compassion, making a difference:
The verse that uses it most is 1 Kings 8:50, 2 times (tied with Romans 9:15):
And forgive thy people that have sinned against thee and all their transgressions wherein they have transgressed against thee, and give them compassion before them who carried them captive, that they may have compassion on them:
Where the two translations differ
9 verses match in the KJV but not in the World English Bible, and 21 verses match only in the World English Bible, usually because the other translation chose a different word there.
Psalm 78:38: counted in the KJV only
But he, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not: yea, many a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath.
But he, being merciful, forgave iniquity, and didn’t destroy them. Yes, many times he turned his anger away, and didn’t stir up all his wrath.
Psalm 86:15: counted in the KJV only
But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.
But you, Lord, are a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness and truth.
Deuteronomy 32:36: counted in the World English Bible only
For the LORD shall judge his people, and repent himself for his servants, when he seeth that their power is gone, and there is none shut up, or left.
For Yahweh will judge his people, and have compassion on his servants, when he sees that their power is gone; that there is no one remaining, shut up or left at large.
Psalm 77:9: counted in the World English Bible only
Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah.
Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he, in anger, withheld his compassion?” Selah.
Verses with compassion on our topic pages
16 verses that use compassion in the World English Bible are in our topic collections.
Put on therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance;
On: Kindness, Humility, Mercy, Friendship
“Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yes, these may forget, yet I will not forget you!
On: Mothers, Compassion
“Thus has Yahweh of Armies spoken, saying, ‘Execute true judgment, and show kindness and compassion every man to his brother.
On: Widows, Compassion
But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and scattered, like sheep without a shepherd.
On: Compassion
Jesus went out, and he saw a great multitude. He had compassion on them, and healed their sick.
On: Compassion
Jesus came out, saw a great multitude, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd, and he began to teach them many things.
On: Compassion
Behold, we call them blessed who endured. You have heard of the perseverance of Job, and have seen the Lord in the outcome, and how the Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
On: Compassion
But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and closes his heart of compassion against him, how does God’s love remain in him?
On: Compassion
It is because of Yahweh’s loving kindnesses that we are not consumed, because his compassion doesn’t fail.
On: Love, Hope, Depression, Mercy
Like a father has compassion on his children, so Yahweh has compassion on those who fear him.
On: Fathers
Sing, heavens; and be joyful, earth; and break out into singing, mountains: for Yahweh has comforted his people, and will have compassion on his afflicted.
On: Comfort
For though he causes grief, yet he will have compassion according to the multitude of his loving kindnesses.
On: Depression
Common questions
How many times is compassion in the Old Testament and the New Testament?
In the King James Version, counting every form, 22 of the 43 uses are in the Old Testament and 21 in the New Testament. Compassion appears in 21 books of the 66 in the King James Version. Matthew has the most (6), then Psalms (5) and Mark (5).
Where is compassion first mentioned in the Bible?
The first use in the King James Version is Exodus 2:6: "And when she had opened it, she saw the child: and, behold, the babe wept. And she had compassion on him, and said, This is one of the Hebrews’ children." The last is Jude 1:22.
Read the full collection: Bible Verses About Compassion (18 Verses).
More word counts: goodness, faithful, righteous, sinner, saint, redemption, atonement, Gentiles, or all 253 words.
Counted by Bible Says About from the full public-domain text of the King James Version (1769 edition) and the World English Bible. Verse text only: headings and psalm titles are left out. A word is a run of letters: a hyphenated name like Beer-sheba counts as two, and an apostrophe stays inside its word (LORD'S is one). Matching ignores capital letters. Data compiled 2026-10-05.