John 11:35

KJV

Jesus wept.

KJV (with Strong's)

Jesus {G2424} wept {G1145}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Yeshua cried;

Berean Standard Bible

Jesus wept.

American Standard Version

Jesus wept.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 11:35, the shortest verse in the King James Version, succinctly captures a profound moment of divine empathy and human sorrow. Situated amidst the dramatic narrative of Lazarus's death, this verse reveals Jesus Christ not only as the powerful Son of God, capable of overcoming death, but also as fully human, deeply moved by the pain and grief experienced by His friends and humanity in the face of mortality's sting. His tears underscore the genuine nature of His incarnation and His intimate solidarity with suffering humanity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This poignant verse is embedded within the climactic narrative of [John 11](/john/11 "John 11 - The Resurrection of Lazarus"), which recounts the sickness, death, and resurrection of Lazarus, a beloved friend of Jesus. Jesus arrives in Bethany four days after Lazarus's death, encountering the profound grief of Lazarus's sisters, Martha and Mary, and the surrounding Jewish community. Prior to His weeping, Jesus is described as "groaning in the spirit and troubled" ([John 11:33](/john/11-33 "John 11:33 - Jesus Troubled in Spirit")), indicating an intense internal emotional struggle. His tears are not a sign of doubt in His power to raise Lazarus, but rather a visceral response to the devastating impact of death on those He loved, even as He stood on the precipice of demonstrating His ultimate authority over it. The verse serves as a critical bridge between His initial emotional turmoil and the subsequent miraculous demonstration of His life-giving power.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Jewish culture, mourning was a public and communal affair, often involving professional mourners who would wail and lament loudly. The scene in Bethany, with Mary and Martha surrounded by many Jews who had come to comfort them ([John 11:19](/john/11-19 "John 11:19 - Many Jews Came to Comfort")), reflects these customs. The depth of grief displayed by the sisters and the community was typical for the loss of a loved one. Jesus' presence among these mourners, and His participation in their sorrow, would have been culturally understood as an act of profound solidarity and compassion. His tears, though distinct from the loud wailing of others (as indicated by the specific Greek word used), still placed Him squarely within the shared human experience of loss in a public setting.
* **Key Themes:** [John 11:35](/john/11-35 "John 11:35 - Jesus Wept") powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the Gospel of John and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it highlights the **Divine Empathy and Compassion** of God, revealing a Savior who is not distant or aloof from human suffering but intimately acquainted with it. Jesus' tears demonstrate that God understands and shares in our pain, a truth profoundly comforting for believers. Secondly, it serves as a cornerstone for understanding the **Full Humanity of Christ**. While Jesus is clearly presented as divine throughout John's Gospel, His weeping unequivocally affirms His genuine human emotions, underscoring the reality of the incarnation—that God truly became flesh and experienced life, joy, and sorrow as we do. This makes Him a compassionate [High Priest who can sympathize with our weaknesses](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Our Sympathetic High Priest"). Thirdly, the verse underscores the **Sorrow Over Death**, even for the One who would conquer it. Death is portrayed as an enemy, a devastating consequence of sin's entrance into the world ([Romans 5:12](/romans/5-12 "Romans 5:12 - Sin and Death")), and Jesus grieves its destructive power, even as He prepares to demonstrate His ultimate victory over it.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Jesus (Greek, _Iēsoûs_):** This word refers to the Lord Jesus Christ, whose name is of Hebrew origin (יְהוֹשׁוּעַ, Yeshua/Joshua), meaning "Yahweh saves." The presence of Jesus in this scene is paramount, as His identity as both fully God and fully man is central to understanding the significance of His tears. He is the one through whom "life" comes ([John 1:4](/john/1-4 "John 1:4 - In Him Was Life")), and His weeping here is a profound display of His incarnate nature.
* **wept (Greek, _dakrýō_):** This verb signifies "to shed tears" or "to weep silently." The choice of this specific Greek word is crucial, as it contrasts with _klaíō_ (κλαίω), which denotes a more audible, often loud, wailing or lamentation (e.g., [Luke 19:41](/luke/19-41 "Luke 19:41 - Jesus Wept Over Jerusalem") where Jesus "wept aloud" over Jerusalem, or [Matthew 26:75](/matthew/26-75 "Matthew 26:75 - Peter Wept Bitterly") where Peter "wept bitterly"). _Dakrýō_ suggests a deep, internal, profound grief or anguish, a quiet shedding of tears that emphasizes the personal and empathetic nature of Jesus' sorrow in solidarity with Mary, Martha, and the human condition.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Jesus":** This opening word immediately centers the reader on the person of Christ. It emphasizes that the one who is about to demonstrate unparalleled divine power over death is also the one who experiences profound human emotion. His identity as the Son of God and the Son of Man is essential to grasping the depth of this moment.
* **"wept":** This single word, the shortest in the verse, conveys the entire action. It signifies the shedding of tears, a physical manifestation of deep emotional distress. The choice of the Greek word _dakrýō_ implies a quiet, internal, and deeply empathetic sorrow, rather than a loud, public lament. This reveals Jesus' genuine human response to the pain of loss and the reality of death's dominion, even as He prepares to overcome it.

#### Literary Devices
The profound impact of [John 11:35](/john/11-35 "John 11:35 - Jesus Wept") is amplified by several powerful literary devices. Its remarkable **Brevity** (being the shortest verse in the KJV) creates a striking emphasis, drawing immediate attention to the raw, unadorned emotion it conveys. This conciseness allows the single action to carry immense weight. The verse is a masterclass in **Pathos**, evoking deep sympathy and understanding from the reader by presenting Jesus in a moment of profound vulnerability and shared humanity. It powerfully conveys the emotional depth of the scene. Furthermore, there is an implicit **Contrast** at play: the omnipotent Son of God, who is about to raise the dead, is simultaneously seen weeping. This juxtaposition highlights the mystery of the hypostatic union—Jesus' full deity and full humanity—and underscores that His power does not negate His compassion, but rather works in tandem with it.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The tears of Jesus in [John 11:35](/john/11-35 "John 11:35 - Jesus Wept") are a profound theological statement, affirming the full humanity of Christ and His deep empathy for human suffering. They reveal a God who is not distant from our pain but intimately acquainted with it, having experienced the sting of loss and the sorrow of mortality Himself. This verse assures believers that their grief is understood and validated by their Creator, offering immense comfort and demonstrating that even in the face of death, God's compassion is boundless. It foreshadows His ultimate victory over death, but not without first sharing in the human experience of its devastation.

* [Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Our Sympathetic High Priest")
* [Romans 8:26](/romans/8-26 "Romans 8:26 - The Spirit Intercedes")
* [Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Tears")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
"Jesus wept" offers a profound wellspring of comfort and instruction for believers navigating the realities of suffering and loss. It validates the human experience of grief, assuring us that sorrow is not a sign of weakness or a lack of faith, but a natural and even righteous response to the brokenness of a fallen world. In a culture that often encourages stoicism or quick recovery from pain, Jesus' tears grant permission to mourn deeply and authentically. Moreover, this verse assures us that we serve a God who is not aloof from our pain but intimately acquainted with it. He understands the depth of our sorrow, the ache of loss, and the sting of death because He experienced it Himself. This intimate understanding fosters a deeper trust and allows us to bring our whole selves, including our brokenness, before Him. Ultimately, while Jesus' tears acknowledge the reality of pain, they also precede His ultimate victory over death, reminding us that sorrow is not the final chapter for those in Christ. Our grief is real, but our hope in His resurrection is even more so, promising a future where God will wipe away every tear.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus' weeping challenge your assumptions about God's nature or His relationship to human suffering?**
* **In what ways does knowing that "Jesus wept" offer you comfort or validation in your own experiences of grief or sorrow?**
* **How might this verse encourage you to be more empathetic and present with others who are experiencing loss?**
* **Considering Jesus' tears and His subsequent miracle, what does this passage teach us about the balance between acknowledging pain and holding onto hope?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jesus weep if He knew He was about to raise Lazarus from the dead?**

Answer: Jesus' weeping was not due to a lack of faith or doubt in His own power to raise Lazarus. Instead, His tears stemmed from profound empathy and compassion for Mary, Martha, and all those grieving. He was deeply moved by the devastating impact of death, the enemy of humanity ([1 Corinthians 15:26](/1_corinthians/15-26 "1 Corinthians 15:26 - Death, the Last Enemy")), and the sorrow it inflicted upon His beloved friends. His tears reveal His genuine humanity and His solidarity with human suffering, even as He prepared to demonstrate His divine authority over death itself. It was a weeping *with* them, not *for* a lost cause.

**What is the significance of the specific Greek word used for "wept" in this verse?**

Answer: The Greek word used in [John 11:35](/john/11-35 "John 11:35 - Jesus Wept") is _dakrýō_ (δακρύω), which means "to shed tears silently" or "to weep quietly." This is distinct from _klaíō_ (κλαίω), which implies a more audible, often loud, wailing or lamentation (as seen when [Jesus wept over Jerusalem in Luke 19:41](/luke/19-41 "Luke 19:41 - Jesus Wept Over Jerusalem") or when [Peter wept bitterly in Matthew 26:75](/matthew/26-75 "Matthew 26:75 - Peter Wept Bitterly")). The choice of _dakrýō_ suggests a deep, internal, profound grief or anguish rather than a public display of sorrow, emphasizing the personal and empathetic nature of His suffering with them. It highlights a quiet, deeply felt sorrow.

**What does "Jesus wept" tell us about the humanity of Christ?**

Answer: This concise verse is a cornerstone for understanding the genuine humanity of Jesus Christ. It unequivocally affirms that Jesus, though fully God, also experienced the full range of human emotions, including profound sorrow. His tears demonstrate that He truly "shared in their humanity" ([Hebrews 2:14](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14 - Jesus Shared Our Humanity")), making Him a sympathetic High Priest who can fully understand and relate to our weaknesses and suffering ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Our Sympathetic High Priest")). It underscores the reality of the incarnation, where God became flesh and dwelt among us, experiencing life and its pains just as we do.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[John 11:35](/john/11-35 "John 11:35 - Jesus Wept") finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the broader narrative of Jesus' redemptive work. His tears at Lazarus's tomb are not merely an isolated act of human emotion but a poignant foreshadowing of His ultimate mission. They reveal the "Man of Sorrows" ([Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - Man of Sorrows")) who would not only weep over the effects of sin and death but would decisively conquer them. Jesus' empathy for human suffering, culminating in His tears, perfectly sets the stage for His role as the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). He entered fully into our broken humanity, not to be overcome by it, but to overcome it from within. By sharing in our flesh and blood, He rendered powerless "him who had the power of death, that is, the devil" ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14-15 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Jesus Shared Our Humanity to Destroy Death")). Thus, His tears at Lazarus's grave are a divine lament over the enemy He was soon to defeat on the cross, ensuring that for those who believe, sorrow will not have the final word, and God Himself will one day [wipe away every tear](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Tears").

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

Luke 19:41

¶ And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it,

Hebrews 4:15

For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as [we are, yet] without sin.

John 11:33

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

Isaiah 53:3

He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were [our] faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

Psalms 119:136

¶ Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law.

Jeremiah 13:17

But if ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret places for [your] pride; and mine eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because the LORD'S flock is carried away captive.

Hebrews 2:16

For verily he took not on [him the nature of] angels; but he took on [him] the seed of Abraham.