It's easy to focus on Jesus' sadness here, but the Greek word used for "groaned" actually carries a stronger sense of indignation or stern displeasure, suggesting Jesus was deeply troubled not just by death itself, but possibly by the hypocrisy of the onlookers and the sheer destructive power of sin that death represents. He was agitated within himself, indicating a profound internal struggle against the forces that brought such sorrow.
When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled. And he said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Lord, come and see.” Jesus wept.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus has just arrived at Bethany, and Martha rushes to meet Him, expressing her sorrow that He wasn't there to prevent her brother Lazarus's death. Now, as Mary, her sister, comes to Jesus, she echoes Martha's grief, falling at His feet. The presence of other Jewish mourners, who had accompanied Mary, intensifies the scene, prompting Jesus's profound emotional reaction.
When Jesus saw the weeping, he didn't just feel sad; he was deeply stirred. What caused this intense reaction?
The original Greek word used here for 'groaned' often carries a sense of strong displeasure or indignation, not just sorrow. While Jesus was deeply sympathetic with Mary's genuine grief, the scholars suggest his inner turmoil came from more than just sadness.
The text says Jesus 'troubled Himself.' What does it mean for Jesus to intentionally stir His own emotions?
The phrase 'greatly troubled' literally means Jesus 'troubled Himself.' This is crucial because it highlights the voluntary nature of His emotional response. Unlike humans who are often swept away by uncontrollable passions, Jesus' emotions were perfectly aligned with His divine will.
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Understand the original words
klaiō · Greek Verb
To shed tears, often as an expression of sorrow, grief, or mourning over a loss or a difficult situation.
embrimaomai · Greek Verb
A term used in the Gospel of John to describe an internal reaction of intense emotional agitation, outrage, or visceral indignation, often in the face of death or the effects of sin.
tarassō · Greek Verb
A state of being stirred, agitated, or disturbed in one’s inner self; often used to describe emotional turmoil or distress.
dakryō · Greek Verb
The act of shedding tears, specifically denoting a quiet or silent shedding of tears, reflecting deep personal grief, empathy, or sorrow.
The profound emotional reaction of Jesus in this passage is deeply tied to the reality of death as a consequence of sin, a force He was about to conquer through His own sacrifice. The scene highlights the personal cost of His mission and His deep empathy for human suffering.
Early 1st century AD
Jesus begins public ministry
Jesus's ministry of teaching, healing, and miracles gains significant attention throughout Judea and Galilee.
Early 1st century AD
Jesus teaches in Bethany
Jesus visits Bethany, the home of his friends Lazarus, Mary, and Martha, forging a close personal bond with them.
Early 1st century AD
Lazarus falls ill and dies
Lazarus, a close friend of Jesus, becomes gravely ill and dies while Jesus is away, causing great grief to his sisters.
Early 1st century AD— this verse
Jesus arrives in Bethany
Jesus arrives in Bethany four days after Lazarus's burial, finding Mary and Martha mourning with many Jewish visitors.
Early 1st century AD
Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead
Jesus demonstrates his divine power over death by calling Lazarus forth from the tomb, a powerful public miracle.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus's crucifixion and resurrection
Following the raising of Lazarus, the religious authorities accelerate their plot against Jesus, leading to his death and subsequent resurrection.
This verse also describes God's deep emotional reaction to the sinfulness of humanity, showing a parallel to Jesus' profound distress at the sight of death's devastation.
Psalm 35:14This verse speaks of personal grief and mourning, reflecting the deep sympathy Jesus displayed when He 'groaned in the spirit' and was 'troubled' by the sorrow around Him.
Isaiah 53:3This prophetic passage describes the Suffering Servant as 'despised and rejected' and 'acquainted with grief,' which resonates with Jesus' profound emotional engagement with human suffering and death.
Romans 8:22This passage describes all of creation groaning as it awaits redemption, drawing a parallel to Jesus' groan in response to the groaning and sorrow caused by death, which is a consequence of the fall.
Hebrews 4:15This verse highlights Jesus' ability to sympathize with our weaknesses, a truth powerfully demonstrated here as He is deeply moved by the weeping and the reality of death.
vincentJohn 11:33: "When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled,"
He groaned in the spirit (ἐνεβριμήσατο τῷ πνεύματι)See on Mark 1:43. The word for groaned occurs three times elsewhere: Matthew 9:30; Mark 1:43; Mark 14:5. In every case it expresses a charge, or remonstrance, accompanied with a feeling of displeasure. On this passage there are two lines of interpretation, both of them assuming the meaning just stat…
pulpitJohn 11:33: "When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled,"
Verses 33-44. - (3) The struggle with death. Verse 33. - When Jesus therefore saw her walling, and the Jews wailing who came with her, he was moved with indignation in the spirit, and troubled himself. The sight of the wailing Mary and the wailing Jews, who took up her grief and, according to Oriental custom, adopted her expression of it with loud cries…
It's easy to focus on Jesus' sadness here, but the Greek word used for "groaned" actually carries a stronger sense of indignation or stern displeasure, suggesting Jesus was deeply troubled not just by death itself, but possibly by the hypocrisy of the onlookers and the sheer destructive power of sin that death represents. He was agitated within himself, indicating a profound internal struggle against the forces that brought such sorrow.
Jesus has just arrived at Bethany, and Martha rushes to meet Him, expressing her sorrow that He wasn't there to prevent her brother Lazarus's death. Now, as Mary, her sister, comes to Jesus, she echoes Martha's grief, falling at His feet. The presence of other Jewish mourners, who had accompanied Mary, intensifies the scene, prompting Jesus's profound emotional reaction.
Jesus has just arrived at Bethany, and Martha rushes to meet Him, expressing her sorrow that He wasn't there to prevent her brother Lazarus's death. Now, as Mary, her sister, comes to Jesus, she echoes Martha's grief, falling at His feet. The presence of other Jewish mourners, who had accompanied Mary, intensifies the scene, prompting Jesus's profound emotional reaction.
"When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled. And he said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Lord, come and see.” Jesus wept." — It's easy to focus on Jesus' sadness here, but the Greek word used for "groaned" actually carries a stronger sense of indignation or stern displeasure, suggesting Jesus was deeply troubled not just b…
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Last reviewed October 2026
