“Jesus wept.”
— John 11:35
It is the shortest verse in the Bible—and one of the most powerful.
But did you know that Jesus is recorded as weeping not once, not twice, but three times in the Gospels?
These moments give us a window into the depth of His emotions, the burden of His mission, and the heart of God Himself.
Each tear tells a story—and each moment invites us to respond.
1. Jesus Wept for a Friend (John 11:35)
The most famous moment of weeping comes at the tomb of Lazarus, His close friend.
Even though Jesus knew He was about to raise Lazarus, He paused—and wept.
“When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit and troubled.”
— John 11:33
His tears weren’t for show. They revealed:
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Compassion for grief
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Anger at death itself
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Identification with our sorrow
This wasn’t weakness—it was love made visible.
2. Jesus Wept Over a City (Luke 19:41)
As He approached Jerusalem before His crucifixion, Jesus looked at the city—and wept.
“If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace…”
— Luke 19:42
He wasn’t crying for Himself. He cried for:
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A people who missed their moment of salvation
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A city destined for destruction
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Hearts too hard to hear truth
Jesus mourned not because He was rejected—but because people were rejecting life itself.
3. Jesus Wept in the Garden (Hebrews 5:7)
Though the Gospels don’t explicitly say “Jesus wept” in Gethsemane, the book of Hebrews gives us this insight:
“He offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save Him from death…”
— Hebrews 5:7
In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus faced not just physical death, but the weight of sin, abandonment, and the wrath of God.
His tears were:
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Tears of surrender
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Tears of obedience
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Tears of unimaginable cost
And yet, He said:
“Not my will, but Yours be done.” (Luke 22:42)
Final Reflection: What Makes God Cry?
Jesus was God in the flesh. And God cried.
Not for Himself.
Not for attention.
But for the brokenness of this world—and for the people He came to save.
He cried with mourners.
He cried over the lost.
He cried under the weight of redemption.
And today, He still draws near to the brokenhearted.
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
— Psalm 34:18
So the next time you cry, remember:
You don’t weep alone.
Your Savior understands.
He has wept too.
