Since Mordecai lived and worked in the centre of the Persian Empire, he was among the first to hear of the edict. He also heard of details that had not been publicized, such as the ten thousand talents of silver that Haman had promised to the king.
Mordecai reacted with visible distress. He realized that Haman’s ruthless plot against the Jews had sprouted from his anger against one Jew, Mordecai himself. Although God is not mentioned by name, Mordecai’s actions are clearly that of a person who humbles himself before God. His people were the people of God, and he fully identified with them.
1 When Mordecai learned all that had been done, Mordecai tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and he cried out with a loud and bitter cry.