Actually, in this case, it would be compassion for folks who are from the same ethnic background as some people who are lawless (which obviously enough, is every ethnic background in the world), but who aren't necessarily lawless themselves.
I would guess that Jesus would never have dreamed he'd have to be so nitpicky.
Could there be any greater conceit, than for someone to believe that the universe has to be simple enough for them to be able to understand it ?