One of the Bible’s most succinct but meaningful passages is “Jesus wept.” It captures the breadth of Jesus’ humanity and His empathy for others and may be found in John 11:35. These two simple statements have great meaning because they demonstrate that Jesus was not aloof or indifferent to human suffering. Instead, He went through the entire spectrum of emotions that we humans do. This text asks us to consider the compassion of Christ, who stood in solidarity with the brokenhearted and grieved with those who grieved.
“Jesus wept” is contextualized through the Lazarus account. Jesus was profoundly affected by the grief of people around Him, especially Mary and Martha, as He arrived to His friend’s tomb. Jesus let Himself to experience the sorrow at the time even though He was aware that He would bring Lazarus back to life. He showed His profound love and empathy for people by sobbing, which was more than just an emotional outburst. These bible verses about Jesus wept depicts a Savior who shares our suffering rather than being above it.
The fact that the verse “Jesus wept” emphasizes Christ’s twofold nature makes it noteworthy as well. Although He was completely supernatural and able to work marvels like reviving Lazarus from the dead, He was also completely human and felt all of our emotions. His tears serve as a reminder that grieving and feeling sad are perfectly acceptable. Actually, His example shows us that instead of repressing our feelings, we need to express them to God, who is sympathetic to our plight.
Last but not least, this scripture gives people who are struggling solace and hope. It gives us comfort to know that Jesus is beside us at our darkest hours. He delves into our suffering with empathy and understanding rather than only watching it from a distance. When we consider “Jesus wept,” we are reminded of a Savior who genuinely loves each of us and is there to console us and guarantee us His love at our darkest hours.
30 Powerful Bible Verses About Jesus Wept
1. John 11:35
“Jesus wept.”
This is the shortest verse in the Bible, yet it carries profound meaning. Jesus wept at the tomb of His friend Lazarus, showing His deep compassion for humanity. It reveals that Jesus, though divine, was not disconnected from human emotions. His tears reflect the pain and sorrow He felt for those He loved, reminding us that God cares deeply for our suffering.
2. Hebrews 4:15
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.”
This verse complements the message of “Jesus wept,” showing that Jesus understands our emotions and struggles. He experienced life as we do, and His empathy is perfect. His ability to weep and feel for others demonstrates that He is not a distant deity but one who fully relates to our pain.
3. Isaiah 53:3
“He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain.”
Isaiah foretold Jesus’ experience as a “man of sorrows.” The tears He shed over Lazarus were not isolated; they reflected the broader sorrow He bore for humanity’s brokenness and sin. This verse reminds us that Jesus’ weeping was not just an emotional response but a part of His mission to bear our suffering.
4. Luke 19:41
“As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it.”
Jesus wept again when He saw Jerusalem, lamenting the spiritual blindness and hard-heartedness of its people. This illustrates His deep concern not just for individuals, like Lazarus, but for entire cities and nations. His tears reflect His desire for all people to turn to Him and find salvation.
5. Psalm 56:8
“You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.”
This psalm beautifully complements “Jesus wept” by showing that God values and remembers every tear we shed. Just as Jesus wept for Lazarus, God knows and cares about each of our sorrows. It reassures us that our pain is not unnoticed.
6. Matthew 5:4
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”
Jesus’ weeping at Lazarus’ tomb exemplifies this promise. He shared in the grief of those mourning Lazarus and offered comfort through His presence. In the same way, He promises comfort to those who mourn today, showing that sorrow is temporary when God is our refuge.
7. Romans 12:15
“Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.”
Jesus’ weeping shows that He lived this verse perfectly. As believers, we are called to follow His example by entering into the joys and sorrows of others. His tears encourage us to empathize with those around us, sharing in their grief and offering comfort.
8. 1 Thessalonians 4:13
“Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.”
While Jesus wept for Lazarus, His tears were not without hope. He knew He would raise Lazarus from the dead, just as we have the hope of eternal life. This verse reminds us that, though we may grieve, we do so with the assurance that death is not the end for believers.
9. Revelation 21:4
“‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’”
Jesus’ weeping is a reminder of the brokenness of this world, but Revelation points us to the future, where God will wipe away every tear. The tears Jesus shed were temporary, and they foreshadow the ultimate comfort we will receive in eternity.
10. 1 Peter 5:7
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
Jesus’ tears demonstrate His care for us. This verse encourages us to bring our sorrows, anxieties, and grief to Him because He is compassionate and loving. His tears over Lazarus and Jerusalem show that He truly cares about every detail of our lives.
11. Psalm 34:18
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
Jesus’ tears over Lazarus align with this verse. God is near to those who are brokenhearted. His weeping demonstrates that He is not indifferent to our pain, but He draws close to those in sorrow and offers comfort and salvation.
12. Lamentations 3:22-23
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
Even in His grief, Jesus knew God’s mercy and compassion. This verse reminds us that God’s love sustains us, and His compassion never fails. Jesus’ tears were a reflection of His steadfast love and faithfulness to humanity.
13. Isaiah 25:8
“He will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove his people’s disgrace from all the earth. The Lord has spoken.”
Jesus’ weeping at Lazarus’ tomb points to the ultimate defeat of death. Isaiah prophesies that God will wipe away all tears, and Jesus, through His death and resurrection, has paved the way for that day when death will be no more.
14. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles.”
Jesus’ tears are a reflection of God’s compassionate heart. This verse reminds us that God is the source of all comfort. Jesus’ weeping assures us that He understands our troubles and is ready to provide the comfort we need.
15. Psalm 147:3
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”
When Jesus wept, He was not only showing His sorrow but also pointing to His healing power. This verse reminds us that God is in the business of healing the brokenhearted, and Jesus’ tears were a prelude to the healing He would bring through His resurrection power.
16. Ecclesiastes 3:4
“A time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.”
Jesus’ weeping reflects the truth of this verse. There is a time for sorrow, and Jesus entered into that sorrow with those He loved. Yet, His weeping was followed by joy when He raised Lazarus from the dead, showing that mourning is temporary.
17. Matthew 14:14
“When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.”
Jesus’ tears over Lazarus and Jerusalem reflect the same compassion He had for the crowds. This verse shows that Jesus’ compassion always led to action. His tears are not just a sign of sorrow but a precursor to the healing and restoration He brings.
18. Isaiah 61:1-3
“He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives…to comfort all who mourn.”
Jesus’ weeping at Lazarus’ tomb fulfilled this prophecy. He came to bind up the brokenhearted and to comfort those who mourn. His tears were not just an emotional reaction but part of His mission to bring healing and freedom.
19. James 5:13
“Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise.”
When we are in trouble, we can turn to Jesus, who wept for those He loved. This verse encourages us to bring our troubles to Him in prayer, knowing that He understands our grief and is ready to comfort and help.
20. Psalm 30:5
“Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.”
Jesus’ weeping reminds us that sorrow is temporary. Though He wept for Lazarus, joy came in the morning when Lazarus was raised from the dead. This verse encourages us that no matter how deep our sorrow, joy is on the horizon.
21. Job 16:20
“My intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour out tears to God.”
This verse reflects the role Jesus played in interceding for us through His tears. Just as Job cried out to God, Jesus’ tears for Lazarus and Jerusalem were acts of intercession, pleading for God’s mercy and grace.
22. Jeremiah 31:16
“This is what the Lord says: ‘Restrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears, for your work will be rewarded,’ declares the Lord.”
Though Jesus wept, He knew that the reward of His work would be resurrection and life. This verse reassures us that even in our sorrow, God promises a reward for our faith and obedience.
23. Luke 7:13
“When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, ‘Don’t cry.’”
Jesus’ weeping at Lazarus’ tomb is mirrored in His compassion for the widow at Nain. He told her not to cry because He was about to raise her son from the dead. This shows that Jesus’ tears were often followed by acts of miraculous compassion.
24. Psalm 6:6
“I am worn out from my groaning. All night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears.”
Jesus’ weeping connects with the psalmist’s deep sorrow. This verse speaks to the depth of human grief, and Jesus, in His humanity, experienced that grief fully. His tears show that He understands the pain of those who cry out in distress.
25. Romans 8:26
“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.”
Jesus’ weeping could be seen as a form of intercession. Just as the Spirit intercedes for us with groans too deep for words, Jesus’ tears were a sign of His deep love and care for those who suffer.
26. Jeremiah 13:17
“If you do not listen, I will weep in secret because of your pride; my eyes will weep bitterly, overflowing with tears, because the Lord’s flock will be taken captive.”
This verse parallels Jesus’ weeping over Jerusalem. His tears were not just for Lazarus but for all who would reject Him. Jeremiah’s sorrow for Israel reflects the same heart of Jesus for those who are lost.
27. Joel 2:12
“‘Even now,’ declares the Lord, ‘return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.’”
Jesus’ weeping over Jerusalem was a call to repentance. Just as Joel calls the people to return to God with weeping and mourning, Jesus’ tears were an invitation for the people to turn back to Him and be saved.
28. Psalm 42:3
“My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me all day long, ‘Where is your God?’”
Jesus’ tears show that even the Son of God experienced sorrow. This verse reflects the depth of human pain, and Jesus’ weeping assures us that God is with us in those moments of deep despair, providing comfort and hope.
29. Lamentations 3:48-49
“Streams of tears flow from my eyes because my people are destroyed. My eyes will flow unceasingly, without relief.”
Jesus’ tears over Jerusalem reflect the same lament as this verse. He wept because He knew the destruction that would come upon the city due to their rejection of Him. His weeping was not only for Lazarus but for all who would face judgment.
30. 2 Kings 20:5
“‘I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will heal you.’”
Just as God responded to Hezekiah’s tears with healing, Jesus’ weeping over Lazarus was followed by a miraculous act of resurrection. This verse reassures us that God sees our tears and responds with healing and restoration.
Conclusion
When we consider the topic of “Jesus wept,” we are reminded that Christ’s profound empathy and love for people go beyond words; they were demonstrated in action. His tears show that God is not far from our suffering but is fully conscious of it and actively concerned in it. God’s compassion for those in need is seen throughout the Bible, and Jesus is the pinnacle of this compassion. His tears over Jerusalem and Lazarus reflect a Savior who is sympathetic to our suffering and offers consolation and the hope of healing.
Jesus’ tears reveal a bigger hope than just sadness. Even though this life is filled with suffering and grief, we may be sure that these things will pass. For those who believe in Jesus, the triumph over death and suffering is symbolized by His resurrection of Lazarus after His tears. According to the Bible, God will remove every tear from our eyes and replace our sorrows with pleasure that lasts forever. We can find solace in the knowledge that God is always with us throughout difficult times, providing us with serenity and the prospect of a pain-free future.
