"Jesus Wept" -- Why Did Jesus Cry?

"Jesus wept" is the shortest verse in the Holy Bible, found in John 11:35. "Jesus wept" -- one noun and one verb – the sentence could not be simpler in its structure – yet, the complexities of its meaning defy human comprehension. What would make Jesus cry?

Here’s the background of the story: Jesus had just returned to the village of Bethany, to the home of his friends, Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, sisters and a brother who lived together. His dear friend, Lazarus, had died four days earlier, and there was intense mourning surrounding his burial place within the tomb. Lazarus’ sisters, also dear friends of Jesus, were distraught over the loss of this beloved, younger brother.

Jesus stood in the midst of the mourners in this middle Eastern scene of sorrow. He heard their cries of pain and loss, he saw tears streaming down despondent faces -- and the stench and ugliness of death engulfed Him like a noxious cloud. It must have been a chilling scene. In the midst of this dark moment of weeping and sorrow, Jesus felt intense pain swirling around Him, and He wept.

I don’t pretend to be a great scholar and I certainly don’t know all the answers for something that "defies human comprehension," but I do ponder its meaning. As I ponder the moment of my Savior crying at the grave of Lazarus, I seek to understand the reasons for His grief.

Here’s an important point to remember: throughout this ordeal, even as hot tears flowed from his eyes -- Jesus knew that, in a matter of minutes, He was going to be raising Lazarus from the dead (John 11:14). The young man would soon be up, walking around, hugging his sisters and rejoicing with his friends. So, if Jesus knew all along that Lazarus would soon be alive again, why the tears? Why would He feel such deep sorrow just before He was due to perform a joyous miracle?

When you love someone, you empathize with that person’s pain. This verse speaks volumes of the extraordinary love of Jesus Christ for each soul that He created. As Jesus observed that dark scene of death, He felt the heartbreak of those around Him. Such feelings would be painful enough, but I believe His sorrow went even deeper than that single moment in time. I believe the pain He felt as He considered death as an entity encompassed the ages – from the beginning of time until the end of the earth, and His heart was engulfed with sorrow.

Not only was the heart of Jesus intensely sensitive in itself, He was also aware of the thoughts of all the mourners around Him. Over and over in scripture, we are told that Jesus perceived the thoughts of those who were near Him (Luke 5:22; 6:8). He felt the pain we all feel when someone we love dies or when we see others suffer, but, I believe, that pain was multiplied many times over as He also felt the pain of the dozens of people surrounding Him. It was as if the terrible grief of each person present was laid upon the heart of Jesus like a suffocating pall. The heavy burden of their anguish would have been agonizing to the loving heart of the holy Christ. Jesus was being bombarded by an incredible, overwhelming sense of loss that brought Him to tears.

This heartrending sense of loss He felt for Lazarus’ death was further intensified as He considered the impact of death on mankind. This was just one situation out of countless millions throughout the world and across centuries -- in which death, that hated enemy, seemed to be declaring a victory. Jesus had come to this earth to bring life, to trample death underfoot, and to bring eternity into the hearts of men and women. Yet, here He stood, observing the power death still had on the sons of men. The depth of His sorrow must have spanned the ages, past and future, and He wept for every soul who would ever lose a loved one to the clutches of death. The scripture tells us that, "He groaned in the spirit, and was troubled," John 11:33.

Throughout the centuries, cemeteries have been a visual reminder of inevitable death. The attached photo of a Celtic cross is the headstone of Watts Gwathmey, who died in 1939. The cross stands above his grave in Elmwood Cemetery in Norfolk, Virginia, in a lovely Victorian cemetery that dates back to 1853. The cemetery holds 60,000 graves – that’s 60,000 souls who have passed from life over the threshold of death into another existence. A verse engraved on one of the tombstones expressed the Victorian sentiment: "Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth," Luke 8:52.

Indeed, every Christian who dies, falls asleep on this earth, and immediately awakens in the glorious presence of our Lord. Yet, there is much sorrow for those who are left behind as they suffer the loss of that one they held so dear. Everyone who has loved and lost, experiences crushing sorrow. This is why our tender, loving Savior cried that day.

I imagine that in the moment Jesus wept, the ridiculous devil cackled. That wicked one takes pleasure in every pain – especially the pain of the Holy One. I am amazed, however, that someone as knowledgeable as Satan would bother to take pleasure in such a fleeting victory – when he must know he will lose in the end. Did he really think he would gain any ground in this contest for the souls of men? Did he really think death would triumph over life? As always, Satan’s victory dance was short-lived. And, as always, he lost.

After the beautiful display of humanity, love, and empathy revealed by His tears, Jesus spoke the words that set the captive free – "Lazarus, come forth." Immediately, sounds were heard from within the dark, chill cave. Onlookers were probably in shock as Lazarus stumbled from the tomb, blinking at the sudden blaze of light after days spent in darkness. A young man who was dead and buried, was now alive and healthy – ready to praise the name of the Lord who raised him.

This scene, which occurred some 2,000 years ago, is a picture of what God will do on a grand scale in the future. God has promised that, someday, every body will be resurrected from the dead. Furthermore, every soul will live throughout eternity. Of course, where that soul will spend eternity is the most important question that soul will ever be asked. There are only two destinations to choose from – heaven or hell. If you don’t believe these places are real, you are in for a rude awakening when you discover the truth. "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord," Romans 6:23.

Jesus conquered death through His sacrifice on the Cross of Calvary. The resurrection and eternal life in heaven are promises for all who believe on His Holy Name.


As long as we live on this earth, we will be subject to death and all the sadness that surrounds it. But, that wonderful cross of Christ opened a door of salvation for every one of us. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life," John 3:16.

We can hold fast to the knowledge that Jesus offers life eternal – in a place where none of us will ever weep again.