Empathy is more than just understanding someone’s feelings—it’s the ability to feel them as if they were your own, responding with compassion and kindness.
In today’s world where people often feel divided, empathy has the power to bridge gaps, heal wounds, and foster deep relationships.
The Bible teaches us that empathy isn’t optional for believers; it’s essential for living a life that reflects God’s love.
From Jesus’ compassionate acts to Paul’s call for unity and kindness, the Scriptures invite us to not only understand but also to walk alongside those who suffer, rejoice, and struggle.
In this post, we’ll dive into what the Bible says about empathy, highlighting verses that encourage us to love, support, and bear with one another.
Let’s explore how these timeless principles can shape our daily lives and relationships, challenging us to cultivate empathy in every interaction.
Bible Verses About Empathy
1. Romans 12:15 – Rejoicing and Mourning Together
“Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.”
2. 1 Peter 3:8 – Compassion and Unity
“Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.”
3. Galatians 6:2 – Bearing Each Other’s Burdens
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
4. Philippians 2:4 – Looking to the Interests of Others
“Let each of you look not only to his own interests but also to the interests of others.”
5. Hebrews 13:3 – Remembering Those in Distress
“Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.”
6. Colossians 3:12 – Clothe Yourself with Compassion
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.”
7. Luke 10:33-34 – The Good Samaritan’s Compassion
“But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine.”
8. 2 Corinthians 1:4 – Comforting Others with God’s Comfort
“Who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”
9. Matthew 25:35-36 – Serving the Needy
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”
10. 1 Corinthians 12:26 – Sharing in Each Other’s Joys and Sorrows
“If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.”
11. Ephesians 4:32 – Kindness and Compassion
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
12. Isaiah 58:10 – Helping Those in Need
“And if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.”
13. James 2:15-16 – Faith and Action
“Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?”
14. Luke 6:36 – Showing Mercy
“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”
15. Romans 15:1-2 – Building Up Others
“We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up.”
16. Luke 10:30-37 – The Good Samaritan’s Example
“A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest and a Levite both passed by without helping, but a Samaritan took pity on him and helped.”
17. Hebrews 10:24 – Encouraging One Another
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.”
18. Philippians 2:1-2 – Unity and Empathy
“Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.”
19. 1 John 3:17-18 – Compassion in Action
“If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.”
20. Matthew 11:28-30 – Rest for the Weary
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
21. James 1:27 – Pure Religion
“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”
22. Luke 12:15-21 – The Parable of the Rich Fool
“Then he said to them, ‘Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.’”
23. Matthew 9:36 – Compassion for the Crowds
“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”
24. Luke 7:13 – Jesus’ Compassion for a Widow
“When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, ‘Don’t cry.'”
25. Matthew 7:7 – Ask, Seek, Knock
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”
26. John 13:34-35 – Love One Another
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
27. 1 John 4:7-8 – Loving One Another
“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.”
28. Galatians 5:13 – Serve One Another in Love
“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.”
29. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 – Love is Patient and Kind
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.”
30. Ephesians 4:32 – Be Kind and Compassionate
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
Our Thoughts On What The Bible Says About Empathy
The Bible presents empathy as an essential part of the Christian walk. It is a reflection of God’s compassion for humanity and a key characteristic of true discipleship.
Throughout Scripture, we are encouraged to share in the joys and sorrows of others, to act with kindness and patience, and to bear each other’s burdens.
Empathy requires us to step outside of ourselves, to engage with the struggles and joys of those around us, and to offer our support.
It calls us to live humbly, serve others with love, and respond to the needs of the vulnerable.
Jesus is the ultimate example of empathy, and as His followers, we are challenged to imitate His compassion and love.
Empathy transforms relationships, builds community, and is a powerful witness to the world of God’s love.
Say This Prayer
Father, help me to be more empathetic, reflecting Your love and compassion in all my interactions. Teach me to bear the burdens of others and to share in their joys and sorrows.
Open my eyes to the needs around me and give me the courage to act with kindness, humility, and patience. Help me to forgive as You have forgiven me, showing grace and mercy to those in need.
May my heart be sensitive to Your leading, and may I always strive to serve others with love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.