John 11:33

KJV

¶ When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled,

KJV (with Strong's)

When {G5613} Jesus {G2424} therefore {G3767} saw {G1492} her {G846} weeping {G2799}, and {G2532} the Jews {G2453} also weeping {G2799} which came {G4905} with her {G846}, he groaned {G1690} in the spirit {G4151}, and {G2532} was troubled {G5015}{G1438},

Complete Jewish Bible

When Yeshua saw her crying, and also the Judeans who came with her crying, he was deeply moved and also troubled.

Berean Standard Bible

When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit and troubled.

American Standard Version

When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping who came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 11:33 captures a pivotal moment in the narrative of Lazarus's death, revealing Jesus's profound and complex emotional response to human suffering and the devastating impact of death. As Jesus witnesses Mary's grief and the collective sorrow of the Jewish mourners, He is deeply moved, experiencing a powerful internal agitation that underscores both His true humanity and His righteous indignation against the enemy of life. This intense emotional display precedes one of His most significant miracles, the raising of Lazarus, setting the stage for a powerful demonstration of His authority over death and the grave.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the dramatic narrative of Lazarus's death and resurrection in [John 11](/john/11 "John 11 - The Raising of Lazarus"). The preceding verses detail Jesus's delayed arrival in Bethany, His conversation with Martha, who expresses her faith in His power to heal and even raise the dead ([John 11:21-27](/john/11-21-27 "John 11:21-27 - Martha's Confession of Faith")), and His profound declaration, "I am the resurrection and the life" ([John 11:25](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus: The Resurrection and the Life")). Verse 33 marks Jesus's encounter with Mary, Lazarus's other sister, who falls at His feet, repeating Martha's lament. The collective weeping of Mary and the accompanying Jews deeply impacts Jesus, leading to His powerful emotional reaction, which then sets the immediate scene for His journey to Lazarus's tomb and the subsequent miracle. The verse is immediately followed by the shortest verse in the Bible, "[Jesus wept](/john/11-35 "John 11:35 - Jesus Wept")," further emphasizing His deep compassion.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Jewish culture, mourning rituals were highly formalized and often involved professional mourners who would wail and lament loudly to express grief. The presence of "the Jews also weeping which came with her" ([John 11:33](/john/11-33 "John 11:33 - Jesus's Emotional Response")) indicates a customary gathering of friends and family to console the bereaved and participate in the public display of sorrow. Death was a pervasive reality, often attributed to sin, and the grief associated with it was profound. The four-day period since Lazarus's death ([John 11:17](/john/11-17 "John 11:17 - Lazarus Dead for Four Days")) was significant, as Jewish tradition held that the soul lingered near the body for three days, but by the fourth day, decomposition would have begun, making resurrection seem impossible and thus intensifying the hopelessness of the mourners. Jesus's arrival amidst this deep-seated, culturally expressed grief highlights His direct engagement with human suffering in its most raw form.

* **Key Themes:** John 11:33 contributes significantly to several key themes within the Gospel of John and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully underscores **Jesus's True Humanity**. Despite being divine, Jesus fully experiences human emotions, demonstrating empathy and sorrow, which is a crucial aspect of His incarnational ministry. Secondly, it highlights the **Devastating Reality of Death** as an enemy. Jesus's "groaning in the spirit" and being "troubled" suggests not just sadness but a righteous indignation against death, which is a consequence of sin ([Romans 5:12](/romans/5-12 "Romans 5:12 - Sin and Death")). This sets the stage for His ultimate victory over death through His own resurrection ([1 Corinthians 15:54-57](/1_corinthians/15-54-57 "1 Corinthians 15:54-57 - Victory Over Death")). Thirdly, the verse exemplifies **Divine Compassion and Love**. Jesus's emotional response stems from His deep love for Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, mirroring God's compassionate heart for His suffering creation. Finally, it subtly introduces the theme of **Jesus's Authority over Life and Death**, as His emotional turmoil precedes the miraculous demonstration of His power to reverse death itself, fulfilling His earlier declaration as "the resurrection and the life" ([John 11:25](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus: The Resurrection and the Life")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **saw (Greek, _eídō'_):** This primary verb (G1492) means "to see (literally or figuratively); by implication, (in the perfect tense only) to know." Here, it signifies Jesus's direct observation and full comprehension of the intense grief displayed by Mary and the mourners. It's not a casual glance but a perceptive understanding of their deep sorrow.
* **weeping (Greek, _klaíō'_):** This word (G2799) describes a loud, audible wailing or sobbing, distinct from a silent cry. The repetition of "weeping" for both Mary and the Jews emphasizes the pervasive and demonstrative nature of the sorrow Jesus encountered. It highlights the raw, uninhibited expression of grief.
* **groaned (Greek, _embrimáomai'_):** Derived from a word meaning "to snort with anger" (G1690), this term denotes a strong, deep emotion, often indignation, stern warning, or a sigh with chagrin. It implies a powerful internal agitation, a deep stirring of emotion that is more than mere sadness. In this context, it suggests a profound, perhaps righteous, anger or displeasure at the presence and power of death.
* **troubled (Greek, _tarássō'_):** This word (G5015) means "to stir or agitate (roil water)." It indicates an internal disturbance, a perturbation, or an outward manifestation of distress. Combined with _embrimáomai_, it paints a picture of Jesus being deeply moved, disturbed, and agitated by the sorrow and the destructive power of death He witnessed. The addition of _heautoû_ (G1438), a reflexive pronoun, emphasizes that this trouble was internal, affecting Jesus's very being.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"When Jesus therefore saw her weeping":** Jesus's arrival at Bethany brings Him face-to-face with Mary's profound sorrow. The word "therefore" (G3767, _oûn_) links His observation to the preceding events, particularly the deep grief expressed by Martha and the general atmosphere of mourning. His act of "seeing" (G1492, _eídō_) is not merely visual but implies a deep perception and understanding of her emotional state.
* **"and the Jews also weeping which came with her":** This clause broadens the scope of the sorrow Jesus witnessed. The collective weeping of the mourners, typical of Jewish mourning customs, amplifies the sense of loss and hopelessness in the air. Jesus is confronted not just by individual grief but by the communal weight of death's impact.
* **"he groaned in the spirit":** This is the first part of Jesus's intense reaction. The word "groaned" (G1690, _embrimáomai_) is powerful, suggesting a deep internal agitation, a strong indignation, or even a snorting sound of displeasure. "In the spirit" (G4151, _pneûma_) refers to His innermost being, His very soul or vital principle. This indicates a profound, internal, and spiritual turmoil, not just a superficial sadness. It suggests a holy anger against the devastating effects of sin and death.
* **"and was troubled":** This second part of Jesus's reaction further describes His internal state. "Troubled" (G5015, _tarássō_) signifies being stirred up, agitated, or perturbed. The combination of "groaned" and "troubled" paints a vivid picture of Jesus being deeply disturbed and distressed by the reality of death and the sorrow it causes. This emotional upheaval is a key insight into Jesus's humanity and His divine opposition to death.

#### Literary Devices
John 11:33 employs several powerful **literary devices** to convey the depth of Jesus's emotional experience and the gravity of the situation. The most prominent is **Pathos**, as the scene is designed to evoke strong emotions of sympathy and sorrow in the reader by depicting the profound grief of Mary and the mourners, and especially Jesus's intense reaction. The use of **Repetition** ("weeping... weeping") emphasizes the pervasive nature of the sorrow and highlights the collective grief that Jesus encountered. The phrases "groaned in the spirit" and "was troubled" are examples of **Figurative Language**, specifically **Metonymy** or **Synecdoche**, where "spirit" represents the entirety of Jesus's inner being, and "troubled" describes a deep internal agitation rather than a superficial disturbance. The passage also utilizes **Foreshadowing**, as Jesus's intense emotional reaction to death foreshadows His subsequent act of raising Lazarus, demonstrating His ultimate power over the very thing that caused Him such distress. This dramatic portrayal of Jesus's humanity and His divine indignation sets the stage for the miraculous climax of the narrative.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 11:33 is a profound theological statement about the nature of God in Christ. It reveals a Savior who is not distant or stoic in the face of human suffering but is deeply empathetic, intimately sharing in our pain. Jesus's "groaning in the spirit" and being "troubled" speaks to a divine indignation against death, not merely as a biological end, but as an intruder, a consequence of sin that violates God's perfect creation. His emotional response validates human grief, assuring us that sorrow is a natural and even righteous response to loss, even for those who possess faith in the resurrection. This passage beautifully bridges Jesus's full humanity with His divine mission, showing His compassion as a precursor to His power over death.

* [Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus, Our Sympathetic High Priest"): For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.
* [Romans 8:22-23](/romans/8-22-23 "Romans 8:22-23 - Groaning of Creation and Believers"): For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.
* [Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - The Suffering Servant"): He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 11:33 offers immense comfort and profound insight for believers navigating grief and suffering. It assures us that our Lord Jesus is not a detached deity but one who fully understands and shares in our deepest sorrows. When we face loss, illness, or any form of pain, we can find solace in knowing that Jesus Himself was "groaned in the spirit, and was troubled" by the very things that afflict us. Our tears are not a sign of weakness or lack of faith, but a human response validated by the Son of God. This verse encourages us to bring our raw, unedited grief to Christ, knowing He comprehends it intimately. Furthermore, it reminds us that Jesus's empathy precedes His power. He doesn't dismiss our pain; He enters into it, and from that place of shared suffering, He brings forth His miraculous power and ultimate victory over death. This should instill in us a profound hope: though we grieve, we do not grieve without hope, for our sympathetic Savior has conquered the very enemy that causes our tears.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus's emotional response in John 11:33 challenge or affirm your understanding of His divine and human nature?**
* **In what ways does this verse offer comfort or validation for your own experiences of grief and sorrow?**
* **How might Jesus's "groaning in the spirit" inform our understanding of God's perspective on suffering and death in the world?**
* **What practical steps can you take to bring your pain and sorrow to Jesus, knowing His deep empathy?**

### FAQ

**Why was Jesus "groaned in the spirit, and was troubled" when He knew He was about to raise Lazarus?**

Answer: Jesus's emotional response in [John 11:33](/john/11-33 "John 11:33 - Jesus's Emotional Response") is complex and multifaceted, going beyond simple sadness. While He knew He would raise Lazarus, His reaction was not merely a performance. The Greek word for "groaned" (_embrimáomai_) suggests a deep indignation or even anger. This was likely a righteous anger at the devastating effects of sin and death, which were not part of God's original creation and which He had come to conquer. He was witnessing firsthand the agony death inflicted on those He loved and on humanity as a whole. His "troubled" state (_tarássō_) indicates a profound internal agitation, a stirring of His innermost being. It was a genuine empathetic response to the profound grief of Mary and the mourners, coupled with a holy wrath against the enemy, death, that held humanity captive. It underscores His full humanity and His divine opposition to the curse of death.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 11:33, with its raw depiction of Jesus's emotional turmoil in the face of death, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in His ultimate victory over death through His own crucifixion and resurrection. Jesus's "groaning in the spirit" and being "troubled" is a powerful foreshadowing of His personal confrontation with the power of death on the cross. He willingly entered into the ultimate human experience of suffering and death, not as a victim, but as the conquering King. His tears at Lazarus's tomb, and His indignation against death, are a prelude to His own agonizing prayer in Gethsemane ([Matthew 26:38-39](/matthew/26-38-39 "Matthew 26:38-39 - Jesus's Anguish in Gethsemane")), where He wrestled with the cup of suffering, and ultimately to His cry of triumph from the cross, "It is finished!" ([John 19:30](/john/19-30 "John 19:30 - Jesus's Last Words")). The empathy shown in [John 11:33](/john/11-33 "John 11:33 - Jesus's Emotional Response") culminates in His role as our sympathetic High Priest who has experienced our weaknesses ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus, Our Sympathetic High Priest")), and His subsequent resurrection from the dead ([Romans 6:9](/romans/6-9 "Romans 6:9 - Christ's Resurrection and New Life")) utterly defeats the power of death and the grave, offering eternal life to all who believe in Him ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God's Love and Eternal Life")). Thus, His grief and indignation over Lazarus's death are not signs of weakness, but a divine declaration of war against death itself, a war He definitively won for all humanity.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

John 11:38

Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it.

John 12:27

¶ Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.

Mark 3:5

And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched [it] out: and his hand was restored whole as the other.

Romans 12:15

Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

Genesis 43:30

And Joseph made haste; for his bowels did yearn upon his brother: and he sought [where] to weep; and he entered into [his] chamber, and wept there.

Genesis 43:31

And he washed his face, and went out, and refrained himself, and said, Set on bread.

Genesis 45:1

¶ Then Joseph could not refrain himself before all them that stood by him; and he cried, Cause every man to go out from me. And there stood no man with him, while Joseph made himself known unto his brethren.