Empathy is a powerful and essential aspect of human connection, as it enables us to understand and share the feelings of others. The Bible is filled with verses that encourage believers to cultivate a compassionate heart, reminding us of the importance of bearing one another’s burdens and showing love to those around us. These scriptures highlight God’s deep empathy for His creation and call us to reflect that same love in our interactions.
As you explore these verses about empathy, you’ll see the call to be attuned to the suffering, joys, and experiences of others. They emphasize the importance of kindness, patience, and understanding, guiding us to be more compassionate individuals in a world that often feels disconnected.
Through these Bible passages, may you be inspired to practice empathy in your daily life, nurturing relationships and fostering a spirit of unity and support within your community. Embracing empathy allows us to embody Christ’s love and grace, helping to create a more caring and understanding world.
Bible Verses About Empathy
Ephesians 4:32 – Understanding Kindness and Compassion in the Scriptures
“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” – Ephesians 4:32
More Related Verses:
“And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” – Colossians 3:14
“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:11
“A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” – Proverbs 15:1
Also Read: Bible Verses About Being Yourself (with Related Verses)
Matthew 9:36 – Jesus’ Example of Empathy
“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” – Matthew 9:36
More Related Verses:
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” – Hebrews 4:15
“Jesus wept.” – John 11:35
“Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” – Romans 12:15
Galatians 6:2 – The Importance of Bearing One Another’s Burdens
“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” – Galatians 6:2
More Related Verses:
“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” – 1 Peter 4:10
“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” – Matthew 25:35
“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil.” – Ecclesiastes 4:9
Luke 10:33-34 – Empathy in the Parables of Jesus
“But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion.” – Luke 10:33-34
More Related Verses:
“So he went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him.” – Luke 10:34
“And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” – Matthew 22:39
“Let all that you do be done in love.” – 1 Corinthians 16:14
Psalm 145:8 – God’s Compassion for His People
“The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.” – Psalm 145:8
More Related Verses:
“As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.” – Psalm 103:13
“The Lord is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made.” – Psalm 145:9
“When the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, ‘Do not weep.'” – Luke 7:13
Leviticus 19:18 – Loving Your Neighbor as Yourself
“You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.” – Leviticus 19:18
More Related Verses:
“Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.” – Romans 12:10
“For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'” – Galatians 5:14
“We love because he first loved us.” – 1 John 4:19
Matthew 7:12 – Empathy and the Golden Rule
“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” – Matthew 7:12
More Related Verses:
“If you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?” – Matthew 5:46
“And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.” – Luke 6:31
“You shall not wrong a stranger or oppress him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.” – Exodus 22:21
Isaiah 50:4 – Encouraging Words for the Weary
“The Lord God has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with a word him who is weary.” – Isaiah 50:4
More Related Verses:
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28
“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:19
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” – Psalm 147:3
James 1:19 – The Role of Listening in Empathy
“Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.” – James 1:19
More Related Verses:
“Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches.” – Galatians 6:6
“A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.” – Proverbs 18:2
“The ear that listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise.” – Proverbs 15:31
Psalm 34:18 – The Heart of God for the Suffering
“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” – Psalm 34:18
More Related Verses:
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” – Psalm 147:3
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11
“In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them.” – Isaiah 63:9
Luke 6:36 – Biblical Examples of Acts of Kindness
“Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.” – Luke 6:36
More Related Verses:
“And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'” – Matthew 25:40
“Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.” – Proverbs 19:17
“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” – 1 Peter 4:10
Colossians 3:12 – The Connection Between Forgiveness and Empathy
“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.” – Colossians 3:12
More Related Verses:
“Forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.” – Colossians 3:13
“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” – Ephesians 4:32
“But if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” – Matthew 6:15
Job 30:25 – Empathy in the Book of Job
“Did not I weep for him whose day was hard? Was not my soul grieved for the poor?” – Job 30:25
More Related Verses:
“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” – Galatians 6:2
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses.” – Hebrews 4:15
“And I will comfort them that mourn.” – Isaiah 61:2
1 Timothy 2:1 – The Power of Prayer for Others
“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people.” – 1 Timothy 2:1
More Related Verses:
“Pray for one another, that you may be healed.” – James 5:16
“Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.” – Colossians 4:2
“The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” – James 5:16
2 Corinthians 1:4 – Encouragement to Comfort One Another
“Who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction.” – 2 Corinthians 1:4
More Related Verses:
“For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.” – 2 Corinthians 1:5
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” – Matthew 5:4
“Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.” – Isaiah 40:1
Acts 2:44-45 – Empathy and Community in the Early Church
“And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.” – Acts 2:44-45
More Related Verses:
“And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” – Acts 2:42
“There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call.” – Ephesians 4:4
“Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.” – Romans 12:13
Romans 12:10 – Loving Those Who Are Different from Us
“Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.” – Romans 12:10
More Related Verses:
“For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'” – Galatians 5:14
“But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” – Matthew 5:44
“And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?” – Matthew 5:47
Philippians 2:4 – The Impact of Empathy on Relationships
“Let each of you look not only to his own interests but also to the interests of others.” – Philippians 2:4
More Related Verses:
“Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” – Proverbs 27:17
“Encourage one another and build one another up.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:11
“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.” – Hebrews 10:24
2 Corinthians 5:16 – Empathy in Times of Loss
“From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer.” – 2 Corinthians 5:16
More Related Verses:
“Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” – Romans 12:15
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” – Psalm 147:3
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” – Matthew 5:4
James 2:15-16 – Healing Through Empathy and Support
“If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled,’ without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?” – James 2:15-16
More Related Verses:
“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” – James 1:22
“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” – Hebrews 13:16
“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” – Galatians 6:9
Matthew 5:7 – The Role of Empathy in Conflict Resolution
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.” – Matthew 5:7
More Related Verses:
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16
“Forgive and you will be forgiven.” – Luke 6:37
“For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.” – James 2:13
Isaiah 58:10 – How Prophet Isaiah Showcased Empathy
“If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday.” – Isaiah 58:10
More Related Verses:
“Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap.” – Luke 6:38
“Freely you received; freely give.” – Matthew 10:8
“He who gives to the poor will not want, but he who hides his eyes will get many a curse.” – Proverbs 28:27
Proverbs 22:6 – Teaching Our Children About Empathy
“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” – Proverbs 22:6
More Related Verses:
“Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.” – Colossians 3:20
“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” – Deuteronomy 6:5
“And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children.” – Deuteronomy 6:6-7
1 Peter 3:8 – Reflections on Empathy in Modern Life
“Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.” – 1 Peter 3:8
More Related Verses:
“As we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” – Galatians 6:10
“And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.” – Colossians 3:14
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.” – Galatians 5:22
Final Thoughts
Empathy stands at the heart of Christian living, guiding believers to foster deeper connections with one another. The Scriptures outline God’s unfailing compassion and kindness as a reflection of His character, urging us to be sensitive to the needs and struggles of those around us. Jesus’ life was the ultimate example of empathy, showcasing how we can embody love through our thoughts, words, and actions.
By actively engaging in empathy, we not only fulfill God’s command to love our neighbors but also cultivate communities based on understanding and support. Each verse encourages us to bear one another’s burdens, listen attentively, and offer comforting words during tough times. Embracing empathy allows us to embody God’s grace, transforming our relationships and the world around us—one act of kindness at a time.