Why Did Jesus Cry at Lazarus’ Tomb?
He wept because love always feels the sorrow of death — even when it knows resurrection is coming.
Have you ever stood at a funeral and wondered, “Where is God in all of this?” Maybe you’ve looked at a casket and felt the ache of finality, the coldness of death, and asked, If Jesus really loves us, why would He let this happen?
That’s exactly where the people were in John 11 — grieving the loss of a friend, angry at the delay, questioning love. And then, Jesus did something shocking. He cried.
Not just a tear. Not just a sniffle. The Son of God, standing at the tomb of His friend Lazarus, “wept” (John 11:35). The shortest verse in the Bible, and yet one of the deepest. Why would the resurrection and the life — the One who knew He was about to raise Lazarus from the dead — stop and cry?
This article explores that question — and the answer will not only show you the heart of Jesus, but it might just heal your own.
Here’s the one truth we’ll focus on:
Jesus cried at Lazarus’ tomb because He loves us deeply — and His tears reveal both His compassion and His mission to destroy death forever.
✨ The Tears of Jesus — A Window Into His Heart
1. Jesus Wept Because He Loved
Before Jesus even arrives in Bethany, we’re told how much He loves Lazarus and his sisters:
“Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus” (John 11:5, ESV).
Love is the context for everything in this story. Jesus wasn’t detached, like some wandering miracle worker. He was close — emotionally, relationally, spiritually. Lazarus wasn’t just a case study; he was a friend. That’s why, when Jesus saw the grief of Mary and the mourners around her, “He was deeply moved in His spirit and greatly troubled” (John 11:33).
Then, verse 35: “Jesus wept.”
These weren’t fake tears. The Greek word used here — dakryo — suggests genuine crying, not just a tear rolling down a cheek. It’s intimate. Real. Heartbreaking.
And the people around Him noticed:
“See how He loved him!” (John 11:36)
Jesus wept because He loved. He entered into the sorrow of the people He cared about. He felt the weight of their grief — and made it His own.
2. Jesus Wept Because Death is Horrible
We live in a world that tries to normalize death:
“Death is part of life.”
“They’re in a better place.”
“Everything happens for a reason.”
But Jesus didn’t shrug at death. He didn’t say, “Well, this is just the cycle of life.” He wept.
Why?
Because death is the enemy.
It’s not how things were meant to be. When God created the world, it was good — without pain, tears, or funerals. But sin entered the world, and with it came death (Romans 5:12). From that moment, creation groaned under the weight of brokenness (Romans 8:22).
And Jesus, standing at the tomb, felt the full impact of that brokenness. He wasn’t crying because He was powerless — He was crying because the world was still full of pain. The enemy was still active. The people were still mourning.
Even though He knew resurrection was minutes away, He still let Himself feel the sorrow — because love never skips suffering. It enters in.
3. Jesus Wept Because of Their Unbelief
There’s another layer to this scene. Twice, both Martha and Mary said to Jesus:
“Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” (John 11:21, 32)
They believed in His power to heal, but not yet in His power over death.
And the mourners said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man also have kept this man from dying?” (John 11:37)
There’s sorrow here — but also accusation. Disappointment. Doubt.
Jesus was not just grieving Lazarus — He was grieving how sin had infected everything, even people’s trust. He was surrounded not only by mourners, but by people who had lost sight of who He was.
And in response, the Scripture says:
“Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb.” (John 11:38, NIV)
That phrase deeply moved literally implies indignation, even anger. Jesus was confronting a world twisted by sin — a world that didn’t recognize its Savior.
📖 The Resurrection and the Life — Weeping Before the Miracle
Before Jesus wept, He made a stunning declaration:
“I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
— John 11:25–26
He wasn’t just going to raise Lazarus. He is the resurrection. His very being is life itself.
So again — why cry?
Because Jesus was fully God and fully man. He didn’t come into the world just to fix problems; He came to feel them, carry them, and ultimately conquer them.
His tears show us this:
- He is not distant — He draws near.
- He is not indifferent — He feels deeply.
- He is not weak — He is strong enough to weep, and then strong enough to raise the dead.
🪞 What Jesus’ Tears Mean For You
1. Your Pain Matters to God
Some people think faith means pretending you’re okay. But Jesus didn’t hide His grief — and He doesn’t expect you to, either.
Are you hurting? Jesus is not rolling His eyes. He is weeping with you.
“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”
— Psalm 34:18
Jesus didn’t come to make you suppress sorrow. He came to redeem it — to walk with you in it.
2. Death is Not the End
At the climax of this story, Jesus stands before the tomb and shouts:
“Lazarus, come out!” (John 11:43)
And the dead man walked out.
That moment was more than a miracle — it was a preview of what Jesus came to do for all who believe. He would soon face His own tomb, die on a cross, and rise again — not just to prove His power, but to offer eternal life to all who trust Him.
“For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.”
— 1 Corinthians 15:22
When Jesus cried, He wasn’t giving up — He was preparing to conquer. His tears were the prelude to resurrection.
3. Jesus is the Savior Who Feels
Most religious leaders offer teachings, rituals, and rules.
But only Jesus weeps at a grave.
Only Jesus dies in your place.
Only Jesus conquers death from the inside out.
This is not a God who waits for you to climb up to Him.
This is a God who climbs into your grave to bring you out.
🌍 Jesus’ Tears in a World of Grief
We live in a world of funerals, depression, injustice, and fear. Every day, people weep at tombs — literal and metaphorical.
And still, Jesus weeps with us.
But more than that — He doesn’t stop at tears. He calls us to life.
He offers not just empathy, but salvation.
Not just comfort, but resurrection.
✝️ Come to Jesus — the One Who Weeps and Raises the Dead
Jesus cried at Lazarus’ tomb because He is the God who enters our pain — but He doesn’t leave us there.
He came to destroy death, by dying for our sin and rising again. And now He invites you to trust Him — not just as a Teacher, but as your Savior, your Resurrection, your Life.
Here’s the truth:
- We have all sinned and brought death into our lives (Romans 3:23).
- The penalty for sin is death — eternal separation from God (Romans 6:23).
- But Jesus died in our place, and rose again so we could have life (1 Peter 3:18).
- If you believe in Him, you will never truly die (John 11:26).
Will you come to Him today?
A Simple Prayer:
Jesus,
I believe You are the resurrection and the life.
I have sinned, and I need You to save me.
Thank You for weeping over death — and for conquering it.
I trust You with my life, and I receive Your forgiveness.
Help me follow You from this day forward.
Amen.
Next Steps:
- Talk to God every day — He hears you.
- Start reading the Bible — begin with the Gospel of John.
- Find a church that teaches the truth of Jesus.
- Tell someone what you’ve decided today.
Jesus cried at the tomb — but He didn’t stay there.
And if you belong to Him, neither will you.
“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more…”
— Revelation 21:4
You are loved. Your grief matters. And in Jesus, life is coming.