Jesus Wept
Passage: John 11:17-44
Lazarus had been dead four days. Jewish custom included days of public mourning.
Overview
Jesus came to grieving sisters. He told Martha, 'I am the resurrection and the life.' Seeing Mary weep, Jesus wept, then raised Lazarus.
Going deeper
Jesus grieves even though he knows he will raise Lazarus. Hope does not cancel tears. Martha's confession (v27) parallels Peter's.
Key verses (KJV)
- John 11:25 I am the resurrection, and the life.
- John 11:35 Jesus wept.
- John 11:43 Lazarus, come forth.
From the commentaries
Christ at Bethany. The matter being determined, that Christ will go to Judea, and his disciples with him, they address themselves to their journey; in this journey some circumstances happened which the other evangelists record, as the healing of the blind man at Jericho, and the conversion of Zaccheus. We must not reckon ourselves out of our way, while we are in the way of doing good; nor be so intent upon one good office as to neglect another. At length, he comes near to Bethany, which is said to be about fifteen furlongs from Jerusalem, about two measured miles, v. 18. Notice is taken of this, that this miracle was in effect wrought in Jerusalem, and so was put to her score. ...
Matthew Henry, Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706-1721)
25. Jesus said, I am the resurrection and the life—"The whole power to restore, impart, and maintain life, resides in Me." (See on Joh 1:4; Joh 5:21). What higher claim to supreme divinity than this grand saying can be conceived? he that believeth in me, though … dead … shall he live—that is, The believer's death shall be swallowed up in life, and his life shall never sink into death. As death comes by sin, it is His to dissolve it; and as life flows through His righteousness, it is His to communicate and eternally maintain it (Ro 5:21). ...
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown, Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory (1871)
Verse 25 I am the resurrection, and the life - Thou sayest that thy brother shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day; but by whom shall he arise if not by Me, who am the author of the resurrection, and the source of life? And is it not as easy for me to raise him now as to raise him then? Thus our blessed Lord raises her hope, animates her faith, and teaches her that he was not a mere man, but the essential principle and author of existence. Though he were dead - Every man who has believed or shall believe in me, though his believing shall not prevent him from dying a natural death, yet his body shall be re-animated, and he shall live with me in an eternal glory. ...
Adam Clarke, Adam Clarke's Commentary (1810-1826)
25. I am the resurrection and the life. Christ first declares that he is the resurrection and the life, and then he explains, separately and distinctly, each clause of this sentence. His first statement is, that he is the resurrection, because the restoration from death to life naturally comes before the state of life. Now the whole human race is plunged in death; and, therefore, no man will be a partaker of life until he is risen from the dead. Thus Christ shows that he is the commencement of life, and he afterwards adds, that the continuance of life is also a work of his grace. That he is speaking about spiritual life, is plainly shown by the exposition which immediately follows, He who be
John Calvin, John Calvin's Commentaries (16th century, Calvin Translation Society, 1840s-1850s)
Verse 25. I am the resurrection. I am the author or the cause of the resurrection. It so depends on my power and will, that it may be said that I am the resurrection itself. This is a most expressive way of saying that the whole doctrine of the resurrection came from him, and the whole power to effect it was his. In a similar manner he is said to be made of God unto us "wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctifcation, and redemption," 1 Co 1:30. And the life. Joh 1:4. As the resurrection of all depends on him, he intimated that it was not indispensable that it should be deferred to the last day. He had power to do it now as well as then. Though he were dead. Faith does not save from temporal de
Albert Barnes, Barnes' Notes on the New Testament (1834-1885)
Application
- What does it mean that Jesus wept with friends?
- What would you say to Jesus about your loss?
- Whom can you sit with in their grief?