Unpacking Why Jesus Wept and the Profound Significance of This Amazing Scripture
“What’s the shortest verse in the Bible?” If you’ve ever wondered this, you’re not alone. The shortest verse in the Bible comes from John 11:35. Just two simple words: “Jesus wept.”
Let’s stop to think about why Jesus wept in that moment. What emotion was Jesus experiencing to bring Him to tears? And what can this tiny verse teach us about Christ’s love?
Stick around as we unpack the profound significance behind the Bible’s shortest verse. In just two words, we find a beautiful picture of Jesus’ humanity and compassion.
The Story Behind the Shortest Verse in the Bible
When Jesus heard that His dear friend Lazarus had fallen ill, He didn’t rush off right away. Instead, He waited two whole days before heading to Bethany, the town where Lazarus lived. By the time Jesus arrived, Lazarus had already died and been in the tomb for four days.
When Martha heard Jesus was coming, she went out to meet Him. “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died,” she said. Her sorrow and frustration were palpable. Even though she believed Jesus could have saved Lazarus, He hadn’t come in time.
Jesus reassured her that her brother would rise again, giving her a glimpse of the hope to come. Still, her grief remained. When Jesus saw Martha and the others weeping, he was deeply moved. Although Jesus knew He was about to raise Lazarus, seeing the raw pain of those left behind stirred His heart.
When Jesus reached the tomb, He asked for the stone sealing it to be rolled away. Martha protested, reminding Jesus that Lazarus had been dead for four days already. The stench would be unbearable! But Jesus persisted, reminding her that if she believed, she would see the glory of God.
As the stone was moved, Jesus looked up to heaven and prayed aloud so all could hear, thanking the Father for hearing His prayer. Then with a loud voice, Jesus called, “Lazarus, come out!” And Lazarus walked out of the tomb, still wrapped in his grave clothes.
Why Did Jesus Weep?
Although the scriptures do not expressly say why Jesus wept, over the years students and teachers of the Bible have settled on a couple theories.
1. Jesus Felt Compassion for Mary and Martha
Though Lazarus would soon live again, Jesus understood the pain of loss and mourned with Mary and Martha. He did not rebuke them for their tears, trivialize their pain, or tell them to just have faith – He wept with them. Jesus’ compassion shows us that He cares deeply about our suffering and sorrows. By weeping with those who wept, Jesus demonstrated the depth of His compassion. Although He knew the end of the story would be joyful, Jesus entered fully into the grief of the moment.
2. Jesus Mourned the Temporary Loss of His Friend
Although Jesus knew He would raise Lazarus, he still grieved at the temporary loss of his friend. The Son of God entering into the human experience of mourning reveals His deep love for Lazarus and empathy for what death represents. Jesus did not take resurrection for granted but felt the weight of loss. His tears remind us that every life has value to God.
He understands our humanity because he shared in it Himself. Whenever we sorrow, Jesus is right there weeping with us. And whenever we’re tempted to doubt His goodness or power, we can look to this story and remember – the one who weeps is the one who will one day wipe away all our tears.
3. Jesus Was Grieved by the People’s Spiritual Immaturity
He was grieved by the curse of sin, sickness, and death that had inflicted chaos and sorrow upon humanity in this fallen world. As Jesus prepared to raise His friend Lazarus from the dead, His distress over the people’s spiritual blindness and unbelief intensified (John 11:37–38). He was frustrated to see their weakness of faith that would only believe in Him after seeing Him perform a mighty miracle (John 4:48; 6:30–31; 11:40–42). Jesus, the One who always did and said what would please His Father (John 8:28–29), was grieved to see the rebellious attitudes of people not yielded to the Father’s will as He was (John 5:19, 30; 6:38).
Got Questions Ministries (2024)
Bottom Line:
While there is merit to all three theories, the third one personally seems to be the more powerful contributor. Jesus loved Lazarus but “wept” before He had reached the tomb. Furthermore, He did not weep upon first hearing that Lazarus was at death’s door – so to speak.
Instead, he plainly explained to his disciples that Lazarus was dying to be raised for the glory of God. So, it is unlikely that Jesus’ love for Lazarus would contribute greatly to His weeping, because He knew that Lazarus would surely live again.
The scriptures say He wept in the place where Mary met him, and they later proceeded to the place where Lazarus lay. So, His weeping began as He began his journey there; likely upon having observed how an instance of death had been able to so discourage those around Him.
Jesus saw the unbelief of those around Him. Many doubted Jesus could raise Lazarus, even after all the miracles they had witnessed. Their lack of faith surely brought Jesus sorrow. We often grieve the Lord with our own unbelief and doubt.
Nevertheless, Jesus understands our suffering and grief. He doesn’t trivialize our pain or tell us to just pray harder. Jesus grieves with us. He weeps with us. He feels deeply for us in our times of sorrow and trial. Jesus’ weeping – whatever the reason – shows us His profound capacity for empathy, compassion, and love.
What Does Jesus’ Weeping Teach Us?
Jesus’ Weeping Shows Us His Humanity
The shortest verse in the Bible has profound meaning. “Jesus wept” reminds us that though Jesus is God, He is also fully human. He feels the depths of human emotions. Jesus did not weep for himself but for the suffering of others. His tears give us comfort, for we know that in Jesus we have a God who can sympathize with our weaknesses and identify with our humanity. Jesus is not a God aloof from our pain but one who knows it intimately through his own experience.
In those two words, “Jesus wept,” we find a Savior overflowing with compassion, a friend who mourns when we are distressed, and a God who took on flesh so he could identify with our humanity. What a comfort it is to know we have such a Savior as this!
Not only does Jesus weep with us, but He also comforts us in our pain. He reassures us we are not alone, saying “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted” (Matthew 5:4). The comfort He provides transcends human understanding. When we call out to Him, He draws near to us. He gives us “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding” (Philippians 4:7). This divine comfort is a balm for our weary souls.
Most of all, Jesus’ weeping reveals His deep love for humanity. Jesus loves each of us with a profoundly personal love. He knows us by name, He knows our deepest sorrows, and He weeps with us in our times of grief. We do not have a Savior who is distant and uninvolved. We have a Savior who is deeply moved by our suffering and who died to redeem us.
The shortest verse in the Bible, “Jesus wept,” gives us a glimpse into the very heart of God. Our Savior, even in his deity, is filled with tender compassion for all He has made. His love for us is beyond words.
Jesus Has Victory Over Death
Lazarus’ death and its effect on those around Him caused Jesus to weep because death was never part of God’s original perfect design. Death entered the world through sin (Rom. 5:12). Every death is a tragedy and a reminder of the destruction sin has wrought. Jesus’ tears show us how deeply the Son of God laments the consequences of sin.
Jesus wept for the brokenness of this world. Our suffering moves Him to intervene on our behalf. Jesus longs to comfort all who mourn, to heal this sin-sick world and wipe away every tear (Revelation 21:4). Even in seasons of deepest sorrow, Jesus gives us an eternal hope. Similarly, His resurrection of Lazarus offered a glimpse of the day when Jesus will abolish death once and for all (1 Cor. 15:26).
He conquered sin and death once for all in His resurrection, ensuring that one day “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4). This is the blessed hope that sustains us. Our present sufferings are light and momentary compared to the glory yet to be revealed (2 Corinthians 4:17).
The shortest verse in the Bible reveals Jesus weeping at the state of humanity. This same Jesus will one day turn all our weeping into rejoicing. The grave could not hold Lazarus, and it cannot hold those who belong to Christ. Jesus’ power over death fills us with hope.
Though grief endures for a night, joy comes with the morning (Psalm 30:5). Jesus can turn your mourning into joy. He can resurrect what was dead—your hope, your faith, your peace. Through Christ, death is swallowed up in victory. Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!
Conclusion
Although it is the shortest verse in Bible, this scripture speaks volumes. It reminds us of Jesus’ humanity, divinity, and eternal love for us. Jesus wept so that we might know Him as fully human. His tears assure us that He understands our grief and suffering.
Yet, Jesus’ power over death gives us hope beyond the grave. Though Lazarus’ death brought mourning, his resurrection brought joy. Jesus gives us assurance that death is not the end. His own death and resurrection defeated the grave once and for all. For those who believe in Him, Jesus promises eternal life.
Read next: How Strong Faith in God Can Change Your Life
