John 11:35

Authorized King James Version

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Jesus wept.

Original Language Analysis

ἐδάκρυσεν wept G1145
ἐδάκρυσεν wept
Strong's: G1145
Word #: 1 of 3
to shed tears
ὁ G3588
ὁ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 2 of 3
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς Jesus G2424
Ἰησοῦς Jesus
Strong's: G2424
Word #: 3 of 3
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

Cross References

Luke 19:41And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it,Hebrews 4:15For 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 11:33When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled,Isaiah 53:3He 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 119:136Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law.Jeremiah 13:17But 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.Job 30:25Did not I weep for him that was in trouble? was not my soul grieved for the poor?Jeremiah 14:17Therefore thou shalt say this word unto them; Let mine eyes run down with tears night and day, and let them not cease: for the virgin daughter of my people is broken with a great breach, with a very grievous blow.Isaiah 63:9In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old.Jeremiah 9:1Oh that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people!

Analysis & Commentary

This verse, the shortest in Scripture, conveys profound theology through simplicity: 'Jesus wept' (edakrysen ho Iesous). The verb dakryo means to shed tears, indicating genuine emotional expression. This moment reveals Christ's full humanity - He experiences grief, sorrow, and compassion. The context shows Jesus approaching Lazarus' tomb, surrounded by mourning sisters and friends. Though Jesus knew He would raise Lazarus, He still wept. This demonstrates that foreknowledge of resurrection does not invalidate present sorrow. Jesus enters fully into human suffering rather than remaining emotionally distant. His tears reveal God's compassion for human pain. This verse also addresses potential misunderstandings of Jesus' divinity that might suggest impassibility - God suffers with His people. The tears authenticate Jesus' humanity against Docetic heresies that denied He truly experienced human emotions.

Historical Context

The Jews observing Jesus' tears interpreted them as evidence of His love for Lazarus (11:36). In Greco-Roman culture, excessive emotional display was often viewed as weakness, particularly for men and leaders. Yet Jesus, secure in His identity, weeps openly. The Old Testament presents God as emotionally engaged - grieved by human sin (Genesis 6:6), moved by compassion (Hosea 11:8). Jesus embodies this divine compassion in human form. Hebrews 4:15 affirms that Jesus sympathizes with our weaknesses, having been tempted in all ways. Early Christians found comfort that their High Priest understood suffering experientially. Church Fathers defended Christ's full humanity by pointing to this verse - He who is impassible in His divine nature experiences genuine emotion in His human nature. The verse remains powerful in pastoral ministry, assuring sufferers that God understands their pain.

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