Biblical theme · Character and relationships

Mercy in the Bible

God’s compassion toward people in need and in the wrong, Jesus’ mercy to the sick and the outcast, and the call to show mercy to others.

Scripture in WEBWorld English Bible — Protestant Edition

Editorial text in English. Scripture is quoted from the version you choose; references stay the same in every version.

Introduction

Mercy is compassion that acts, especially toward those who are suffering or in the wrong. God describes himself as merciful and gracious, and Jesus calls his followers to be merciful as their Father is merciful. Exodus 34:6 Luke 6:36

Mercy appears beside justice, not instead of it: the prophet Micah sums up what God requires as doing justice, loving mercy and walking humbly with God. Micah 6:8

Central passages

Exodus 34:6–7
God proclaims his name: merciful and gracious, slow to anger, abundant in loving kindness.
Psalm 103:8–14
Like a father pities his children, so the LORD pities those who fear him.
Lamentations 3:22–24
Written amid the ruins of Jerusalem: his compassions do not fail; they are new every morning.
Matthew 9:9–13
Eating with tax collectors and sinners, Jesus says, “Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’”
Micah 6:8
What does the LORD require? To do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
Luke 6:36
“Be merciful, even as your Father is also merciful.”
Matthew 5:7
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.”
James 2:12–13
Judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.

Across Scripture

Each passage is labelled with why it belongs: central teaching, narrative example, supporting passage, comparison, contrast or interpretive connection.

A merciful God

The Old Testament repeatedly describes God’s mercy, even when people do not want it extended to others.

Exodus 34:6–7 Central teaching
God proclaims his name: merciful and gracious, slow to anger, abundant in loving kindness.
Psalm 103:8–14 Central teaching
Like a father pities his children, so the LORD pities those who fear him.
Lamentations 3:22–24 Central teaching
Written amid the ruins of Jerusalem: his compassions do not fail; they are new every morning.
Jonah 4:1–2 Narrative example
Jonah quotes God’s mercy as the reason he ran: he did not want Nineveh spared.

Mercy in Jesus’ ministry

Jesus has compassion on crowds and individuals, and quotes the prophet Hosea against those who object to his mercy.

Matthew 9:9–13 Central teaching
Eating with tax collectors and sinners, Jesus says, “Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’”
Mark 10:46–52 Narrative example
Blind Bartimaeus cries, “Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me!” and is healed.
Matthew 9:35–36 Supporting passage
Seeing the crowds, Jesus has compassion because they are harassed and helpless.
Hosea 6:6 Supporting passage
The verse Jesus quotes: God desires mercy, not sacrifice.

“Be merciful”

Those who have received mercy are called to show it.

Micah 6:8 Central teaching
What does the LORD require? To do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
Luke 6:36 Central teaching
“Be merciful, even as your Father is also merciful.”
Matthew 5:7 Central teaching
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.”
James 2:12–13 Central teaching
Judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.

Parables of mercy

Two parables show mercy received and refused.

Matthew 18:23–35 Narrative example
A servant forgiven a huge debt refuses mercy to a fellow servant.
Luke 18:9–14 Narrative example
The tax collector prays, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner,” and goes home justified.
Luke 10:36–37 Narrative example
The neighbour is the one who showed mercy.

Stories that show this theme

Jonah and Nineveh Illustrates the theme
God’s mercy to a violent city, resented by his own prophet. Jonah 4:2 Jonah 4:11
The Good Samaritan Illustrates the theme
“He who showed mercy on him.” Luke 10:37
The Feeding of the Five Thousand
Jesus has compassion on the crowd. Mark 6:34
The Ten Commandments
God proclaims his mercy after the golden calf. Exodus 34:6–7

Distinctions and questions of interpretation

Mercy and justice: Micah 6:8 and Exodus 34:6-7 hold mercy and justice together; neither cancels the other. Micah 6:8 Exodus 34:6–7
Mercy and pity: In the Gospels mercy moves Jesus to act: to heal, feed and teach. It is more than a feeling. Mark 6:34 Mark 10:51–52

Related themes

Justice
Justice and mercy are held together. Micah 6:8
Grace
Grace and mercy are named together in God’s self-description. Exodus 34:6
Love
Mercy is love toward someone in need. Luke 10:37
Forgiveness
Forgiveness is mercy toward someone in the wrong. Matthew 18:33

Questions for reflection

Written by BibleKenya editors. They are not Scripture.

What do you notice about when Lamentations 3:22-24 was written?
Why is Jonah angry about God’s mercy (Jonah 4:1-3)?
Why does Jesus quote “I desire mercy, not sacrifice” in Matthew 9:13?
Who needs mercy from you at the moment?