John 11:35

The scene behind the verse

Bethany, Israel (~30 AD). Jesus stands outside Lazarus's tomb with Mary and Martha, surrounded by mourning Jews. Despite knowing He'll raise Lazarus in minutes, Jesus breaks down crying.

Original language

edákrysen (ἐδάκρυσεν) — burst into tears, not silent weeping but audible sobbing

Historical context

This is the shortest verse in the English Bible, but in Greek it's just two words

What most readers miss

Jesus wept KNOWING He was about to raise Lazarus — His tears weren't about death but about human suffering

Common misconception

People think Jesus wept because He was sad about Lazarus dying. But He knew He was about to raise him. He wept because of the pain sin causes — watching people He loved suffer.

How this verse has been applied

Next time you cry, remember Jesus cried too. Don't apologize for your tears or rush to 'get over it.'