Short verse packs a powerful punch

Roots of Faith


 

 

“Jesus wept.”

Just two words long, John 11.35 is the shortest verse in the Bible. It’s also one of the more difficult to comprehend, a seemingly straightforward sentence that is actually quite complex.

John Chapter 11 tells of the raising of a dead man, Lazarus. The story is set right before Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem for Passion Week. It’s the last miracle he enacts before his death. The raising of Lazarus foretells Jesus’ own upcoming resurrection.

In the book of John, the incident is the last of seven “signs,” marvels that reveal God’s glory. Seven is the biblical number for completion.

Lazarus and his sisters Mary and Martha were three people living in Bethany whom Jesus loved very much. The sisters sent word to Jesus that Lazarus was ill. When he arrived, the text reads, “Jesus wept.” At first glance it seems Jesus is showing compassion and grief over the death of a friend.

Or is he?

Let’s backtrack a few days. When Jesus received word that Lazarus was sick, he tells his disciples, “This illness is not to end in death but is for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be gloried through it” (11.4).

Reach Sally Carpenter at sallyc@theacorn.com.

Reach Sally Carpenter at sallyc@theacorn.com.

If Jesus knew he was going to bring Lazarus back to life, why would he grieve?

Jesus then waited two days before departing for Bethany. If he were concerned about his friend’s health, wouldn’t he leave immediately? Yet Jesus knew how this story would end. He moved on his own timetable, according to God’s will.

Throughout the Gospel of John, Jesus is portrayed as in charge of his destiny. While the other three Gospels show Jesus praying for deliverance in Gethsemane before his arrest, John omits this event. During his trial before Pilate, Jesus is unafraid and strong. So it seems unlikely that John’s Gospel would show Jesus weeping in sorrow.

Translation is not an exact science, since words in Koine Greek, the language of Christian scripture, can have various meanings. When Jesus approached Lazarus’ tomb, we have the following translations of verse 33.

“He was deeply moved in spirit and troubled” (NIV).

“He was greatly disturbed in spirit and deeply moved” (NRSV).

“He became perturbed and deeply troubled” (NABRE).

A footnote in the NABRE states that verse 33 literally reads, “He snorted in anger.” Well! Why is Jesus angry?

The most logical explanation is that Jesus is irked by the unbelief of those with him.

The disciples earlier had warned Jesus not to go to Bethany, as some people there had tried to stone him.

The mourners at the gravesite of Lazarus said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?” (verse 37 NIV). Even Martha, a faithful follower, was hesitant to open her brother’s tomb at Jesus’ command.

What this says to us is that despite all that is going on today, Jesus is in control.

He still has the power to bring life in the face of death. We can trust in his promises.