Jesus wept at Lazarus’ tomb to express His deep compassion for human sorrow, His grief over the reality of death, and His righteous anger at the destruction caused by sin. Though He was about to raise Lazarus, His tears revealed that God is not distant from our pain but enters into it fully.
“Jesus wept.”
(John 11:35)
This is the shortest verse in the Bible, yet it carries profound meaning. Jesus had delayed coming to Bethany so that God’s glory could be revealed through the resurrection of Lazarus. He knew what He was about to do:
“This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”
(John 11:4)
Yet when He arrived and saw Mary and the others mourning, He was moved:
“When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled.”
(John 11:33)
The word translated “groaned” indicates intense emotion, even indignation. Jesus was not weeping out of helplessness, but out of holy sorrow over the curse of death and the grief it brings. He entered into their pain even though He had the power to reverse it.
His tears also demons/”>demonstrated the personal love He had for Lazarus:
“Then the Jews said, ‘See how He loved him!’”
(John 11:36)
Jesus’ weeping is a powerful testimony that God is not aloof. He is near to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18). Christ’s empathy was real, not symbolic. It shows us that God both cares and acts, He is present in our suffering and able to overcome it.
Shortly after weeping, Jesus proved His authority:
“Lazarus, come forth!”
(John 11:43)
The same voice that wept also commanded death to release its grip. This miracle confirmed that Jesus is the resurrection and the life (John 11:25). His tears sanctified grief, and His power conquered it.
