John 11:35 – “Jesus wept.”
An Extended Explanation of the Verse
John 11:35 is the shortest verse in the Bible, but it holds deep meaning. In just two words, this verse reveals the compassion of Jesus Christ. He had arrived at the tomb of His friend Lazarus, who had died four days earlier. Seeing Mary and the other mourners weeping, Jesus Himself was overcome with emotion and wept.
His tears were not just about grief for His friend. He knew He was about to raise Lazarus from the dead (John 11:43-44). Instead, Jesus was deeply moved by the pain and sorrow of the people around Him. His tears show that He is not a distant, unfeeling God—He is one who understands and shares in human suffering.
Historical Context
The setting of this verse is the small village of Bethany, just outside Jerusalem. Lazarus, along with his sisters Mary and Martha, was a close friend of Jesus. When Lazarus became sick, his sisters sent word to Jesus, hoping He would come and heal him. But instead of coming immediately, Jesus delayed for two days (John 11:6). By the time He arrived, Lazarus had been in the tomb for four days, a significant detail because Jewish tradition held that after three days, the soul had permanently left the body.
Burial customs in first-century Jewish culture involved placing the body in a tomb carved into a rock and sealing it with a large stone. Mourners would weep loudly and publicly for several days. Jesus arrived in the middle of this scene of sorrow and entered into it with His own tears.
Theological Implications
This verse highlights both the humanity and divinity of Jesus. As God, He had the power to raise the dead. As a man, He felt deep emotions and showed empathy for human suffering. The fact that Jesus wept confirms that He fully entered into the human experience (Hebrews 4:15).
This verse also teaches that God is not indifferent to suffering. He does not simply watch from a distance—He is present with us in our grief. His tears at Lazarus’ tomb show that He understands and cares deeply about the pain of loss, heartbreak, and death.
Literary Analysis
John 11:35 stands out in the Gospel of John because of its brevity. Its simplicity gives it impact, drawing attention to Jesus’ emotion. The Greek word for “wept” (ἐδάκρυσεν, edakrysen) used here means shedding quiet tears, different from the loud wailing of the mourners. This suggests that Jesus’ grief was deeply personal and heartfelt.
This verse also serves as a turning point in the passage. The mourning of Mary, Martha, and the crowd moves Jesus, leading to His miraculous act of raising Lazarus from the dead. The contrast between Jesus’ sorrow and His power over death reinforces the central theme of the chapter: Jesus is the resurrection and the life (John 11:25).
Relevant Biblical Cross-References
- Hebrews 4:15 – “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.” (Shows that Jesus fully understands human emotions.)
- Isaiah 53:3 – “He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain.” (A prophecy of Jesus as the suffering servant.)
- Psalm 34:18 – “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (God’s compassion for the grieving.)
- Luke 19:41 – “As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it.” (Another moment where Jesus expresses deep sorrow.)
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For believers today, John 11:35 is a reminder that God sees and cares about our pain. Many people wonder if God notices their suffering, but this verse reassures us that He does. Jesus’ tears at Lazarus’ tomb show that He is near to the brokenhearted.
It also teaches that grief is not a sign of weakness. If Jesus, the Son of God, could express sorrow, then Christians should not feel ashamed of their own emotions. We do not have to hide our pain from God—He invites us to bring our struggles to Him.
Finally, the story surrounding this verse shows that even in the darkest moments, Jesus has power over death and despair. He turned the sorrow of Mary and Martha into joy when He raised Lazarus. For Christians, this is a picture of the ultimate victory we have in Jesus, who has conquered death itself.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
John 11:35 shows us that God’s love is not cold or distant—it is personal and full of compassion. Some people think of God as strict or uncaring, but this verse proves otherwise. God is deeply involved in our lives and feels our pain alongside us.
Jesus’ tears at the tomb show that God does not dismiss suffering as unimportant. Instead, He cares deeply about our losses, our grief, and our struggles. His love is not just an idea—it is active, present, and full of understanding.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
John 11:35 is not just about Jesus crying—it is part of a bigger story that points to His mission. Immediately before raising Lazarus, Jesus declared, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die” (John 11:25).
His tears show His compassion, but His actions show His power. By raising Lazarus, Jesus demonstrated His authority over death, foreshadowing His own resurrection (John 20:1-18). This miracle was a preview of the ultimate victory He would accomplish on the cross.
Furthermore, Jesus’ sorrow over death reflects His greater mission—to defeat sin and death for all time. His death and resurrection would provide the way for all who believe in Him to have eternal life (Romans 6:9-10).
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- How does knowing that Jesus wept change the way you see God’s character?
- In what areas of your life do you need to be reminded that God cares about your suffering?
- How does Jesus’ response to Lazarus’ death give you hope in your own struggles?
- What does this story teach you about trusting God, even when He does not act immediately?
- How can you reflect Jesus’ compassion in your interactions with others who are grieving?
John 11:35 is a short but powerful verse that reminds us of Jesus’ deep love and care for us. It shows that He is not only our Savior but also our compassionate friend. And just as He turned sorrow into joy for Mary and Martha, He promises to do the same for all who trust in Him.