The Bible records two explicit scenes in which Jesus is described as weeping: John 11:35, when He wept before raising Lazarus from the dead, and Luke 19:41, when He wept over Jerusalem. Hebrews 5:7 also describes Jesus offering prayers and supplications with “strong crying and tears,” commonly understood in connection with His intense anguish, particularly in the context of His suffering. Therefore, three major biblical passages describe Jesus weeping or crying with deep emotion, although the Bible does not give a definitive numerical count of every occasion on which He may have cried.
How Many Times Did Jesus Cry in the Bible?
Jesus Christ is known for His miracles, teachings, love, and power. Yet the Bible also reveals His deeply human emotions. Jesus experienced sorrow, compassion, and grief, and Scripture shows that He was not indifferent to human suffering.
One question many Bible readers ask is: How many times did Jesus cry in the Bible?
The Bible records three notable occasions commonly associated with Jesus weeping or expressing deep sorrow. These are found in John 11:35, Luke 19:41, and Hebrews 5:7. However, an important distinction matters: John 11:35 and Luke 19:41 explicitly describe Jesus weeping, while Hebrews 5:7 says that He offered prayers and supplications with “strong crying and tears.”
These passages reveal different dimensions of Jesus’ sorrow. He wept at the death of Lazarus, mourned over Jerusalem, and prayed with intense anguish during His earthly life.
In this article, we will examine these three passages, explain their meaning, and discover what Jesus’ tears teach us about God’s compassion, the reality of grief, and the importance of faith.
1. Jesus Wept at the Tomb of Lazarus — John 11:35
Bible verse: John 11:35
“Jesus wept.” — John 11:35 (KJV)
This is perhaps the most famous verse about Jesus’ tears. It is also the shortest verse in the King James Bible.
The verse appears in the account of Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha. Lazarus became sick and died before Jesus arrived in Bethany. When Jesus came, Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days.
Mary and Martha were grieving deeply, and their friends had gathered to comfort them.
When Jesus saw Mary weeping and the people around her weeping, He was moved with compassion and sorrow.
John 11:33 says:
“When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled.” — John 11:33 (KJV)
Then comes the familiar statement:
“Jesus wept.” — John 11:35 (KJV)
Why Did Jesus Cry When Lazarus Died?
Jesus knew that He was about to raise Lazarus from the dead. Earlier in the chapter, He had told His disciples that Lazarus’ sickness would ultimately reveal God’s glory (John 11:4). He also told Martha that He was the resurrection and the life (John 11:25).
Yet Jesus still wept.
This reveals that knowing God’s power does not make human sorrow meaningless. Jesus did not dismiss the grief of Mary, Martha, or the people mourning Lazarus.
Several truths emerge from this moment.
Jesus felt compassion for people who were suffering. He saw their grief and responded emotionally rather than remaining distant.
Jesus entered into human sorrow. He did not stand apart from the pain of others. He shared the emotional weight of the moment.
Jesus’ tears did not mean He lacked faith. He knew what He was about to do, yet He still mourned with those who were grieving.
Jesus has authority over death. Shortly afterward, He called Lazarus out of the tomb (John 11:43–44).
What Can We Learn From Jesus Weeping at Lazarus’ Tomb?
This passage offers comfort to anyone who has experienced the death of a loved one.
Sometimes people believe that strong faith means never crying. But Jesus’ example shows that sorrow and faith can exist together.
You can trust God and still feel grief. You can believe in the resurrection and still miss someone you love. You can have hope for eternity and still experience the pain of loss today.
Jesus’ tears remind us that grief is not necessarily a sign of spiritual weakness.
Key lesson: Jesus understands human sorrow and responds to suffering with compassion.
2. Jesus Wept Over Jerusalem — Luke 19:41
Bible verse: Luke 19:41–44
“And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it,” — Luke 19:41 (KJV)
The second explicit scene occurs as Jesus approaches Jerusalem.
This event takes place during His triumphal entry, when crowds welcomed Him and praised God. Yet as Jesus looked at the city, He wept.
His tears were not primarily about personal disappointment. They reflected His sorrow over Jerusalem and the spiritual consequences that would follow because the city had not recognized the things that made for its peace.
Luke 19:42 records His words:
“If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.” — Luke 19:42 (KJV)
Jesus then spoke about the destruction that would come upon the city.
Why Did Jesus Cry Over Jerusalem?
Jesus wept because Jerusalem failed to recognize the opportunity for peace and the significance of His coming.
His sorrow reflects several important truths.
Jesus cared deeply about the people of Jerusalem. His warning was not delivered with indifference. He grieved over what would happen to the city.
Jesus understood the seriousness of rejecting God’s purposes. The passage connects Jerusalem’s failure to recognize its visitation with coming judgment and destruction.
Jesus desired peace for the city. His words express sorrow over the fact that Jerusalem did not recognize the way of peace.
Jesus’ tears reveal both compassion and truth. He cared for the city while honestly addressing its spiritual condition and the consequences of its choices.
What Happened to Jerusalem?
In Luke 19:43–44, Jesus describes enemies surrounding Jerusalem and bringing destruction upon it.
Many Christians understand this prophecy in connection with the Roman destruction of Jerusalem and the temple in AD 70.
The important point in Luke’s account is that Jesus foresaw the city’s coming suffering and mourned over it before the events took place.
What Can We Learn From Jesus Weeping Over Jerusalem?
This passage teaches us that compassion includes caring about people’s spiritual direction and the consequences of their choices.
Jesus did not celebrate the suffering that would come upon Jerusalem. He wept over it.
His example challenges believers to care about others, pray for their well-being, and speak truth with compassion rather than contempt.
Key lesson: Jesus’ tears reveal His deep concern for people who are moving away from God’s way of peace.
3. Jesus Offered Prayers With Crying and Tears — Hebrews 5:7
Bible verse: Hebrews 5:7
“Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;” — Hebrews 5:7 (KJV)
The third major passage is found in Hebrews.
Unlike John 11:35 and Luke 19:41, this verse does not simply say, “Jesus wept.” Instead, it describes Him offering prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears.
The verse reflects the intensity of Jesus’ earthly suffering and His dependence on the Father.
Many Christians connect this passage with Jesus’ anguish in Gethsemane, where He prayed before His arrest and crucifixion. The language of Hebrews emphasizes His earnest prayer, suffering, and reverence toward God.
What Was Jesus Experiencing?
Hebrews 5 describes Jesus as the Son who experienced suffering and obedience during His earthly life.
The verse highlights His humanity. Jesus did not face suffering as someone untouched by pain. He prayed earnestly and experienced deep emotional anguish.
In the Garden of Gethsemane, the Gospels describe Jesus’ profound distress as He faced the suffering ahead.
Matthew 26:38 records His words:
“My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.” — Matthew 26:38 (KJV)
Luke 22:44 describes His agony in prayer.
These Gospel accounts help readers understand the depth of Jesus’ suffering, although Hebrews 5:7 does not explicitly name Gethsemane as the location of the crying and tears it describes.
Why Did Jesus Pray With Strong Crying and Tears?
Several important truths emerge from this passage.
Jesus experienced genuine human suffering. His tears show that His earthly life involved real anguish, not merely an appearance of pain.
Jesus brought His anguish to the Father. In His suffering, He prayed earnestly to the One who was able to save Him from death.
Jesus demonstrated reverence and obedience. Hebrews places His prayers within its wider discussion of His obedience and His role as High Priest.
Jesus understands human weakness and suffering. The book of Hebrews repeatedly emphasizes that Jesus can sympathize with human weakness while remaining without sin (Hebrews 4:15).
What Does It Mean That Jesus Was Heard?
Hebrews 5:7 says that Jesus was heard by the Father. This does not mean He was spared the crucifixion. Jesus did suffer and die.
Christians commonly understand this as referring to the Father’s response to Jesus’ prayer in the context of His obedience, suffering, and ultimate victory over death.
The verse should not be taken to mean that sincere prayer always results in being spared from painful circumstances. Jesus’ own experience shows that faithfulness to God may involve enduring suffering.
Key lesson: Jesus understands deep anguish and shows us the importance of bringing our pain honestly to God in prayer.
Summary: The 3 Major Biblical Passages About Jesus Crying
Here is a quick overview of the three passages commonly discussed when asking how many times Jesus cried in the Bible.
| Bible passage | What happened? | Main lesson |
|---|---|---|
| John 11:35 | Jesus wept at Lazarus’ tomb. | Jesus understands grief and shares in human sorrow. |
| Luke 19:41 | Jesus wept over Jerusalem. | Jesus cares about people and grieves over coming judgment. |
| Hebrews 5:7 | Jesus prayed with strong crying and tears. | Jesus experienced deep anguish and brought it to the Father. |
Important distinction: The first two passages explicitly describe Jesus weeping. Hebrews 5:7 describes crying and tears during His prayers and supplications. These are three major passages, not a definitive count of every possible occasion on which Jesus cried.
Did Jesus Cry More Than Three Times in the Bible?
The Bible does not provide a complete count of every time Jesus may have cried.
The three passages discussed above are commonly grouped together because they clearly describe Jesus weeping or crying with deep emotion. However, they differ in how directly they describe the act.
- John 11:35 explicitly says, “Jesus wept.”
- Luke 19:41 explicitly says Jesus “wept over” Jerusalem.
- Hebrews 5:7 describes Jesus praying with strong crying and tears.
Other passages describe Jesus experiencing sorrow, distress, compassion, or agony without explicitly stating that He cried.
For example, Matthew 26:38 records Jesus saying that His soul was exceedingly sorrowful. Luke 22:44 describes His agony in prayer.
It is possible to identify additional passages about His emotional suffering, but we should not automatically count every description of sorrow as a separate occasion of crying.
The most accurate answer is therefore that Scripture contains two explicit scenes of Jesus weeping and another major passage describing His prayers with strong crying and tears.
What Do Jesus’ Tears Teach Us About His Humanity?
Jesus’ tears reveal an important truth about the Christian understanding of His humanity.
The Gospels do not portray Him as emotionally detached from the people around Him. He experienced sorrow, compassion, anguish, and love.
1. Jesus Understands Human Emotions
When Jesus wept at Lazarus’ tomb, He showed that grief is a real human experience. His tears were not a failure of faith or a denial of God’s power.
2. Jesus Was Not Indifferent to Suffering
Jesus saw the grief of Mary and Martha and the coming suffering of Jerusalem. In both cases, He responded with deep emotion.
3. Jesus Experienced Real Anguish
Hebrews 5:7 reminds readers that Jesus prayed with intense crying and tears. His suffering was genuine.
4. Jesus Remains the Source of Christian Hope
The story of Lazarus does not end with Jesus’ tears. He calls Lazarus out of the tomb.
Likewise, the Christian message connects Jesus’ suffering and death with His resurrection and the hope of eternal life.
Jesus’ tears remind us that Christianity does not ignore suffering. It acknowledges pain while pointing toward God’s redemption and hope.
Is It Wrong for Christians to Cry?
No. The Bible does not teach that believers must suppress every tear.
Jesus Himself wept. His example demonstrates that sorrow and faith are not opposites.
Romans 12:15 encourages Christians to:
“Weep with them that weep…” — Romans 12:15 (KJV)
This instruction calls believers to show compassion to people who are grieving.
Grief may follow the death of a loved one, a painful separation, illness, disappointment, or another difficult experience. Crying can be a natural expression of sorrow.
Christian hope does not require people to pretend that suffering is painless. Instead, believers can bring their sorrow to God and receive support from others while continuing to trust Him.
The example of Jesus gives Christians permission to acknowledge grief honestly.
What Can We Learn From Jesus’ Tears in Our Daily Lives?
The three passages offer several practical lessons for Christians today.
1. Show Compassion to People Who Are Grieving
Jesus did not ignore the people mourning Lazarus. He responded to their sorrow.
When someone experiences loss, avoid rushing to explain the situation or telling them to stop crying. Sometimes the most meaningful response is to listen, offer comfort, pray, and remain present.
2. Pray Honestly When You Are Hurting
Hebrews 5:7 shows Jesus offering prayers with strong crying and tears.
You do not need to hide your anguish from God. Prayer can include tears, questions, and honest expressions of pain.
3. Care About the Spiritual Well-Being of Others
Jesus wept over Jerusalem because of the city’s failure to recognize the way of peace.
His example challenges Christians to care about the well-being of their neighbors and to communicate truth with humility and compassion.
4. Remember That Sorrow Does Not Eliminate Hope
Jesus wept at Lazarus’ tomb, yet He also raised Lazarus from the dead.
The account reminds Christians that grief and hope can exist together. Trusting God does not mean refusing to mourn; it means bringing our sorrow into the presence of the One in whom we place our hope.
5. Treat Emotional Pain With Gentleness
Because Jesus experienced suffering, Christians can approach others’ pain with greater understanding.
Instead of judging people for expressing grief, offer patience, kindness, and practical help.
Frequently Asked Questions About How Many Times Jesus Cried in the Bible
1. How many times did Jesus cry in the Bible?
The Bible contains two explicit scenes of Jesus weeping: John 11:35 and Luke 19:41. Hebrews 5:7 also describes Him praying with strong crying and tears. These are three major passages associated with Jesus’ tears, although Scripture does not provide a definitive count of every occasion on which He may have cried.
2. What is the shortest verse in the Bible about Jesus crying?
John 11:35 says: “Jesus wept.” (KJV)
It is commonly identified as the shortest verse in the King James Bible and describes Jesus’ response to the grief surrounding Lazarus’ death.
3. Why did Jesus cry when Lazarus died?
Jesus saw Mary and the people around her grieving. John 11:33–35 describes His emotional response before He raised Lazarus from the dead. His tears reveal His compassion and participation in human sorrow.
4. Why did Jesus weep over Jerusalem?
Luke 19:41–44 describes Jesus weeping over Jerusalem because the city had not recognized the things that made for its peace. He foresaw the suffering and destruction that would come upon it.
5. Did Jesus cry in the Garden of Gethsemane?
The Gospels describe Jesus experiencing intense sorrow and agony while praying in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36–46; Luke 22:39–44). Hebrews 5:7 specifically describes His prayers with strong crying and tears, and many Christians connect this passage with His suffering before the crucifixion. However, Hebrews 5:7 does not explicitly name Gethsemane as the location.
6. Does the Bible say Jesus cried during His crucifixion?
The Gospel accounts of the crucifixion record Jesus’ words and suffering, but they do not explicitly describe Him shedding tears during the crucifixion. Hebrews 5:7 refers more broadly to His prayers and supplications with crying and tears.
7. What does “Jesus wept” mean spiritually?
John 11:35 reveals Jesus’ compassion and genuine humanity. His tears show that He understands grief and does not treat human suffering as insignificant. The surrounding story also points to His authority over death.
8. Does crying mean someone has weak faith?
No. Jesus wept, and Romans 12:15 encourages believers to weep with those who weep. The Bible presents compassion and grief as compatible with faith in God.
9. What can Christians learn from Jesus crying?
Christians can learn to show compassion, pray honestly during suffering, care about others’ spiritual well-being, and remember that grief can coexist with hope. Jesus’ tears demonstrate that love does not require emotional distance.
10. What is the most famous Bible verse about Jesus crying?
John 11:35 is the most widely recognized verse: “Jesus wept.” (KJV)
Its simplicity captures Jesus’ emotional response to the grief surrounding Lazarus’ death.
Final Thoughts: Jesus’ Tears Reveal His Love and Compassion
So, how many times did Jesus cry in the Bible? Scripture gives us two explicit scenes of Jesus weeping and one additional major passage describing His prayers with strong crying and tears.
In John 11:35, Jesus wept at Lazarus’ tomb. In Luke 19:41, He wept over Jerusalem. In Hebrews 5:7, He is described as praying with intense crying and tears during His earthly suffering.
Each passage reveals something important about Jesus. He understands human grief, cares deeply about people, recognizes the consequences of rejecting God’s way, and experienced genuine anguish during His earthly life.
His tears also offer comfort to those who are suffering today. You do not need to hide your sadness to demonstrate faith. You can grieve, pray honestly, seek support, and continue trusting God.
Jesus’ tears remind us that compassion and hope belong together. The One who wept with the grieving also demonstrated His authority over death and remains the center of Christian hope.
