Shortest Verse in the Bible (John 11:35)
Quick Summary
The shortest verse in the Bible is also one of its most profound: “Jesus wept” (John 11:35). With just two words, Scripture reveals the depth of Christ’s compassion and humanity. Standing before the tomb of his friend Lazarus, Jesus feels the ache of grief and joins those who mourn. The brevity of the verse magnifies its power.
The Context of John 11:35
The setting is the village of Bethany. Lazarus, a close friend of Jesus, has died. His sisters, Mary and Martha, are overwhelmed with sorrow. When Jesus arrives, he does not minimize their pain or explain it away. Though he knows resurrection is moments away, he first allows himself to feel the full weight of the moment.
John 11:35 stands quietly amid a chapter of miracles and movement. It interrupts the story with stillness—a pause that reminds us that love is not hurried. Before Jesus raises Lazarus, he weeps. Those tears are not weakness but witness. They show us that divine strength includes tenderness.
The Meaning of Jesus’ Tears
“Jesus wept” is more than a record of emotion; it is a revelation of character. His tears show us that God is not distant from human suffering. He does not hover above pain but steps into it. The same Word who spoke creation into being now stands beside a tomb and cries. In that moment, the eternal becomes personal.
The verse also reveals that grief and faith can coexist. Jesus knew resurrection was coming, yet he still wept. Faith does not erase feeling. It transforms it. In those two words, we learn that hope and sorrow often walk side by side.
The Power of Brevity
The shortest verse carries one of the longest echoes. Across languages and translations, the phrase remains strikingly simple. It proves that Scripture’s power is not measured by word count but by truth. “Jesus wept” has comforted countless people because it reminds us that God understands tears.
Sometimes we imagine that holiness means being unmoved or unbothered. But in this verse, holiness looks like empathy. The Savior’s tears tell us that sorrow can be sacred—that compassion is a form of strength.
John 11:35: Meaning for Today
For modern readers, John 11:35 offers assurance that our grief is never unseen. When we mourn, we do so beside a Savior who has known loss himself. His tears give permission for ours. They show that lament is not a lack of faith but an expression of love.
In two words, the gospel shows us both God’s heart and his hope. Jesus wept, and then he called Lazarus out. That rhythm still holds true: God enters our pain before he brings our deliverance.
FAQ
What is the shortest verse in the Bible?
“Jesus wept” (John 11:35) is the shortest verse in the Bible.
Why did Jesus weep?
He wept out of compassion for Mary, Martha, and the mourners, sharing in their grief even though he knew he would raise Lazarus.
What does “Jesus wept” teach us about God?
It shows that God is not detached from human suffering but enters into it with us.
How can Christians apply this verse today?
By learning to show empathy, to pause with those who hurt, and to believe that sorrow and faith can exist together.
What happens right after Jesus wept?
He goes to the tomb, prays, and calls Lazarus out—demonstrating that love feels before it acts.
