### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb G1145 (δακρύω, *dakrýō*) is derived from the noun δάκρυ (*dákry*), meaning "a tear." Its fundamental meaning is "to shed tears" or "to weep." Unlike other Greek verbs that denote various forms of lamentation or audible sorrow, G1145 specifically emphasizes the act of shedding tears, often implying a quiet, internal expression of grief rather than an outward, demonstrative wailing. This distinction is crucial when compared with the more common verb κλαίω (*klaíō*, `{{G2799}}`), which can encompass a broader range of expressions of sorrow, including loud weeping, lamentation, and even wailing. While both verbs denote sorrow, δακρύω points more precisely to the physical manifestation of tears.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
Remarkably, the verb G1145 (δακρύω) appears only once in the entire New Testament, making its sole occurrence profoundly significant. This singular instance is found in the shortest verse in the Greek New Testament:
* **[[John 11:35]]**: "Jesus wept." (Ἐδάκρυσεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς.)
This concise statement occurs within the narrative of Lazarus's death and resurrection. Jesus arrives in Bethany to find Mary and Martha grieving the loss of their brother. The context immediately preceding this verse describes Jesus being "deeply moved in spirit and troubled" (ἐμβριμησάμενος τῷ πνεύματι καὶ ἐτάραξεν ἑαυτόν, [[John 11:33]]) and "groaned in spirit and was troubled" (ἐμβριμώμενος ἐν ἑαυτῷ καὶ ἐτάραξεν, [[John 11:38]]). The use of δακρύω here, rather than κλαίω (which is used earlier in the chapter to describe the weeping of Mary and the Jews, [[John 11:33]]), suggests a profound, perhaps silent, personal expression of sorrow. Jesus' tears are not a public display but an intimate, empathetic response to the overwhelming grief of those He loved and to the pervasive reality of death in a fallen world. His weeping underscores His full humanity and His identification with human suffering.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most directly related and frequently contrasted word is κλαίω (*klaíō*, `{{G2799}}`), which means "to weep," often with an audible or demonstrative component. While δακρύω emphasizes the shedding of tears, κλαίω can describe a broader spectrum of sorrowful expression, from gentle weeping to loud lamentation and wailing. Examples of κλαίω include Peter weeping bitterly after denying Jesus ([[Matthew 26:75]]), the women weeping for Jesus on the way to the cross ([[Luke 23:28]]), and the frequent references to "weeping and gnashing of teeth" ([[Matthew 8:12]], etc.).
Other related concepts and words include:
* πενθέω (*pentheō*, `{{G3996}}`): to mourn, lament, grieve. This term often implies a deeper, more prolonged state of sorrow.
* ὀδύνη (*odynē*, `{{G3601}}`): pain, distress, anguish.
* σπλαγχνίζομαι (*splagchnizomai*, `{{G4697}}`): to be moved with compassion, often from the "inward parts" or bowels, indicating deep empathy.
The distinction between δακρύω and κλαίω in [[John 11]] is particularly instructive, highlighting the nuanced nature of Jesus' emotional response compared to the more overt lamentation of the mourners.
### Theological Significance
The single occurrence of δακρύω in [[John 11:35]] carries immense theological weight. "Jesus wept" is a profound declaration of the Incarnation's reality. It demonstrates unequivocally the full humanity of Christ, who, though divine, truly experienced human emotions, including sorrow and grief.
1. **Empathy and Compassion**: Jesus' tears reveal His deep empathy for human suffering and His compassion for those in pain. He weeps not because He is powerless over death (as He is about to raise Lazarus), but because He shares in the grief of His friends and laments the devastating impact of sin and death on humanity.
2. **Identification with Humanity**: His weeping signifies His complete identification with the human condition. He entered fully into our world, experiencing its joys and sorrows, its life and its death. This makes Him a sympathetic High Priest ([[Hebrews 4:15]]).
3. **Grief Over Death**: While Jesus knows He will conquer death, His tears acknowledge the profound tragedy and unnaturalness of death in God's good creation. It is a testament to the brokenness introduced by sin.
4. **Love**: Ultimately, Jesus' tears are an expression of His profound love for Lazarus, Mary, Martha, and indeed, all humanity. His grief is rooted in His love, which moves Him to share in the suffering of others.
This brief verse powerfully encapsulates the paradox of the God-Man: fully divine, yet fully human, experiencing the sorrow of human loss even as He prepares to demonstrate His divine power over it.
### Summary
The Greek verb G1145 (δακρύω, *dakrýō*) signifies the act of shedding tears, often implying a quiet, internal expression of grief. Its singular, yet deeply impactful, occurrence in the New Testament is found in [[John 11:35]], "Jesus wept." This concise statement reveals the profound humanity of Christ, His deep empathy for human suffering, and His compassionate identification with those in sorrow. Distinct from the more demonstrative weeping denoted by κλαίω (`{{G2799}}`), Jesus' tears in Bethany underscore His genuine grief over the reality of death and His love for humanity, even as He stands on the precipice of demonstrating His ultimate victory over the grave.
TRV