John 11:36

KJV

Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!

KJV (with Strong's)

Then {G3767} said {G3004} the Jews {G2453}, Behold {G2396} how {G4459} he loved {G5368} him {G846}!

Complete Jewish Bible

so the Judeans there said, “See how he loved him!”

Berean Standard Bible

Then the Jews said, “See how He loved him!”

American Standard Version

The Jews therefore said, Behold how he loved him!

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 11:36 captures the poignant observation of onlookers as they witness Jesus' profound emotional response to the death of Lazarus. Following His tears at the tomb, the Jews present remark on the depth of His affection, underscoring His genuine humanity and the intensity of His personal love for His friend, a testament to His compassionate character even in the face of impending miraculous power.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows [John 11:35](/john/11-35 "John 11:35 - Jesus Wept"), the shortest verse in the Bible, "Jesus wept." The narrative in [John 11](/john/11 "John 11 - The Raising of Lazarus") builds towards the climactic raising of Lazarus from the dead. Jesus has arrived in Bethany four days after Lazarus' burial, encountering first Martha and then Mary, both expressing their sorrow and their belief that Lazarus would not have died if Jesus had been present. The scene at the tomb, where Jesus is "deeply moved in spirit and troubled" ([John 11:33](/john/11-33 "John 11:33 - Jesus Deeply Moved")), culminates in His tears, prompting the observation in [John 11:36](/john/11-36 "John 11:36 - Behold How He Loved Him!"). This moment of raw emotion precedes Jesus' powerful command for Lazarus to come forth, highlighting the interplay between His full humanity and His divine authority.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The "Jews" in this context refer to a group of people, likely a mix of mourners, neighbors, and perhaps some religious leaders, who had come to console Mary and Martha in their grief. Jewish mourning customs were elaborate, often involving professional mourners and a period of intense lamentation. The presence of a large crowd at the tomb was typical. The observation "Behold how he loved him!" comes from those who were witnessing Jesus' unreserved display of emotion. This was not a private moment, but one observed by many, lending public witness to Jesus' character. Bethany, a village near Jerusalem ([John 11:18](/john/11-18 "John 11:18 - Bethany Near Jerusalem")), was a familiar place for Jesus, as it was the home of His friends Lazarus, Martha, and Mary.
* **Key Themes:** [John 11:36](/john/11-36 "John 11:36 - Behold How He Loved Him!") contributes significantly to several key themes within the Gospel of John and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully reinforces the **humanity of Jesus**, demonstrating that He was fully God and fully man, experiencing genuine human emotions like sorrow and deep affection, not merely feigning them. Secondly, it highlights the **personal and relational nature of Jesus' love**, showing that His divine love extends to profound individual friendships, as evidenced by His bond with Lazarus. This personal love foreshadows His greater love for all humanity, as articulated in [John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World"). Thirdly, the verse serves as an **unsolicited witness to Christ's character** from those who might have been skeptical or even hostile, compelling them to acknowledge the sincerity and depth of His compassion, even before His greatest miracle in the chapter.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Behold (Greek, _íde'_):** This word is an imperative, functioning as an interjection to draw attention, often with an element of surprise or wonder. Here, it signals the astonishment of the observers at the intensity of Jesus' emotion. It's an invitation to "see" or "perceive" something remarkable.
* **Jews (Greek, _Ioudaîos'_):** In John's Gospel, "the Jews" often refers to the religious authorities or those who are antagonistic to Jesus. However, in this context, it appears to refer to the general populace or specific individuals among the mourners who were present, some of whom would later believe ([John 11:45](/john/11-45 "John 11:45 - Many Jews Believe")) and some who would report to the Pharisees ([John 11:46](/john/11-46 "John 11:46 - Some Report to Pharisees")). Their observation is therefore particularly significant as it comes from a diverse group, not necessarily all followers.
* **loved (Greek, _philéō'_):** This verb denotes a strong affection, fondness, or brotherly love, often associated with friendship and personal attachment. It emphasizes the emotional, relational bond Jesus had with Lazarus, distinct from _agapáō_ (ἀγαπάω), which signifies a more selfless, unconditional, and often divine love based on principle and will. The use of _philéō_ here underscores the profound human dimension of Jesus' grief and friendship, making His empathy palpable and relatable.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then said the Jews":** This phrase introduces the reaction and commentary of the onlookers, highlighting their collective observation. It signifies a public acknowledgment of what they have just witnessed—Jesus' weeping. Their statement is not a question but an exclamation, a direct response to His visible sorrow.
* **"Behold how he loved him!":** This exclamation reveals the immediate and profound impact of Jesus' tears on the observers. The word "Behold" (íde) draws attention to the remarkable nature of what they are seeing. The phrase "how he loved him" expresses their astonishment at the depth and sincerity of Jesus' affection for Lazarus, recognizing it as a genuine, personal bond. It is an affirmation of His deep emotional connection, not just a casual acquaintance.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Exclamation** to convey the surprise and profound realization of the observers. The phrase "Behold how he loved him!" is an outburst of wonder, emphasizing the depth of emotion. There is also a strong element of **Witness** or **Testimony**, as the statement comes from those outside Jesus' immediate circle of disciples, lending credibility to the genuineness of His humanity and love. The scene also uses **Juxtaposition** by placing Jesus' profound human grief and love immediately before His display of divine power in raising Lazarus, highlighting the dual nature of Christ. Furthermore, the observation itself serves as a form of **Characterization**, revealing Jesus as a compassionate and deeply relational individual, even to those who may not fully understand His divine identity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 11:36 provides a profound theological insight into the person of Jesus Christ, affirming His full humanity alongside His divinity. His tears and the subsequent observation of His deep love for Lazarus demonstrate that the Son of God was not aloof from human suffering but fully entered into the human experience, including its pain and grief. This capacity for genuine emotion makes Him the perfect High Priest, one who can sympathize with our weaknesses because He has been tempted in every respect as we are, yet without sin. His personal love for Lazarus, expressed through sorrow, foreshadows His ultimate act of love for all humanity on the cross, bridging the gap between divine power and human vulnerability.

* [Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Our Sympathetic High Priest")
* [Romans 12:15](/romans/12-15 "Romans 12:15 - Weep with Those Who Weep")
* [1 John 4:7-8](/1_john/4-7-8 "1 John 4:7-8 - God Is Love")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 11:36 offers immense comfort and a powerful model for believers today. The observation of Jesus' deep love and genuine grief assures us that our Lord is not a distant, unfeeling deity, but one who intimately understands and empathizes with our sorrows, losses, and tears. He is truly "a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief" ([Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - Man of Sorrows")). This verse reminds us that His love for us is not merely a theological concept but a deeply personal, relational, and empathetic love. Just as He cared for Lazarus, He cares for us individually, knowing our pain and sharing in our burdens. His example calls us to cultivate profound empathy and compassion in our own lives, mirroring Christ's character by sharing in the joys and sorrows of those around us, and demonstrating genuine affection and care within our relationships.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus' display of emotion in this verse deepen your understanding of His humanity and His relationship with you?**
* **In what ways can you better emulate Jesus' empathy and personal love in your own relationships and interactions with others?**
* **How does the knowledge that Jesus understands and shares in your pain offer you comfort in times of sorrow or loss?**

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

Answer: Jesus' tears in [John 11:35](/john/11-35 "John 11:35 - Jesus Wept"), and the subsequent observation of His deep love in [John 11:36](/john/11-36 "John 11:36 - Behold How He Loved Him!"), are a profound demonstration of His full humanity. While He possessed divine foreknowledge and power, His weeping was not a sign of doubt or despair, but a genuine expression of empathy and compassion. He grieved with Mary and Martha, feeling the sting of death and the sorrow it brings to humanity, even though He was about to conquer it. His tears show His solidarity with our suffering, His sorrow over the brokenness that sin brings into the world, and His profound love for His friends. It highlights that He is not detached from our pain, but fully enters into it, even as He prepares to overcome it.

**What is the significance of the specific Greek word for "loved" (phileo) used in John 11:36?**

Answer: The Greek word used for "loved" in [John 11:36](/john/11-36 "John 11:36 - Behold How He Loved Him!") is _philéō_ (φιλέω), which denotes a strong affection, fondness, or brotherly love, typically associated with friendship and personal attachment. This is distinct from _agapáō_ (ἀγαπάω), which refers to a selfless, unconditional, divine love based on principle and will. The use of _philéō_ here emphasizes the deeply personal, relational, and human bond of friendship Jesus shared with Lazarus. It underscores that Jesus' love was not just a general, abstract divine love, but also a concrete, emotional, and intimate affection for His friends. This makes His grief and empathy all the more relatable and poignant, highlighting His perfect identification with the human experience.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 11:36, with its simple yet profound observation of Jesus' deep love and empathy, finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Christ. The tears Jesus shed for Lazarus, and the onlookers' recognition of His profound _philéō_ love, foreshadow the boundless _agapē_ love He would demonstrate on the cross. His willingness to enter into the pain of human suffering, to weep with those who weep, underscores His role as the sympathetic High Priest who fully understands our weaknesses ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Our Sympathetic High Priest")). This moment of raw humanity, where He is seen grieving for a friend, culminates in His divine power over death, pointing directly to His victory over sin and death through His own crucifixion and resurrection. The love observed by the Jews at Lazarus' tomb is the same love that compelled Jesus to lay down His life for His friends ([John 15:13](/john/15-13 "John 15:13 - Greater Love Has No One Than This")) and for all humanity ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God Demonstrates His Own Love")). Thus, [John 11:36](/john/11-36 "John 11:36 - Behold How He Loved Him!") not only reveals the compassionate heart of the Son of God but also anticipates the ultimate demonstration of that love in His redemptive work, making Him the perfect Savior who both understands our pain and has conquered its source.

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 11:3

Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.

Revelation 1:5

And from Jesus Christ, [who is] the faithful witness, [and] the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

1 John 4:9

In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

1 John 4:10

Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son [to be] the propitiation for our sins.

1 John 3:1

¶ Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

John 14:21

He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

John 14:23

Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.