John 11:38

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

Jesus {G2424} therefore {G3767} again {G3825} groaning {G1690} in {G1722} himself {G1438} cometh {G2064} to {G1519} the grave {G3419}.{G1161} It was {G2258} a cave {G4693}, and {G2532} a stone {G3037} lay {G1945} upon {G1909} it {G846}.

Yeshua, again deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone was lying in front of the entrance.

Jesus, once again deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance.

Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the tomb. Now it was a cave, and a stone lay against it.

Commentary

John 11:38 continues the deeply emotional narrative of Lazarus's death, just before Jesus performs one of His most profound miracles.

Context

This verse places Jesus directly at the tomb of His friend Lazarus, whom He loved deeply. The scene is set in Bethany, a village near Jerusalem, where Lazarus, Mary, and Martha lived. Jesus had intentionally delayed His arrival, allowing Lazarus to die, so that the glory of God might be revealed (John 11:4). The atmosphere is heavy with grief, as Mary and Martha, along with many mourners, are present. Earlier in the chapter, Jesus had already exhibited intense emotion, "groaning in the spirit, and troubled" (John 11:33) and famously "wept" (John 11:35). This verse marks His physical arrival at the burial site, preparing for the dramatic event to follow.

Key Themes

  • Jesus' Humanity and Divinity: Even as the Son of God with power over life and death, Jesus experiences profound human emotion. His "groaning" here underscores His empathy with human suffering and His deep displeasure at the impact of sin and death.
  • The Reality of Death: The description of the "cave" and the "stone" emphasizes the finality and grim reality of death in the human experience. It was a sealed tomb, common in ancient Jewish burial practices, signifying no natural way out.
  • Preparation for a Miracle: This verse is the immediate prelude to the resurrection of Lazarus. The physical description of the grave sets the stage for the immense power Jesus is about to demonstrate, highlighting that no human effort could have opened this tomb or brought life back.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "again groaning in himself" uses the Greek word embrimaomai (ἐμβριμάομαι). This word is much stronger than a simple sigh or moan. It conveys a deep indignation, a strong internal agitation, or even a stern rebuke. While it can express anger, in this context, it is often understood as Jesus' profound grief and righteous indignation against the power of death and the sorrow it brings, or perhaps against the unbelief He encountered. It reveals His intense spiritual struggle and His powerful emotional response to the devastation caused by sin in the world.

Practical Application

John 11:38 offers several enduring insights for believers today:

  • Empathy in Suffering: Jesus' deep emotional response validates human grief. We can bring our sorrow and pain before Him, knowing He understands and empathizes with our suffering.
  • Hope Beyond Death: Even in the face of death's stark reality (the cave, the stone), Jesus arrives as the one who is the "resurrection, and the life" (John 11:25). This provides immense hope for those who mourn and for our own mortality.
  • God's Power Over All Things: The sealed tomb represents insurmountable obstacles. Yet, Jesus' presence signifies that no situation is too dire for God's power. He is capable of overcoming even the most final of human circumstances.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 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,

  • Matthew 27:60

    And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.

  • Genesis 23:19

    And after this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah before Mamre: the same [is] Hebron in the land of Canaan.

  • Luke 24:2

    And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.

  • John 20:1

    ¶ The first [day] of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.

  • Isaiah 22:16

    What hast thou here? and whom hast thou here, that thou hast hewed thee out a sepulchre here, [as] he that heweth him out a sepulchre on high, [and] that graveth an habitation for himself in a rock?

  • Mark 15:46

    And he bought fine linen, and took him down, and wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre.
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