If someone asked what the shortest verse in the Bible is, most people could answer: “Jesus wept.” (John 11:35)

It’s just two words long, but it reveals more about God’s heart than almost any other verse in Scripture. Those simple words show us that Jesus, the Son of God, feels what we feel. He doesn’t just see our pain from afar — He steps into it.

This verse comes from John chapter 11, where Jesus’ close friend Lazarus has died. By the time Jesus arrived in Bethany, Lazarus had been in the tomb for four days. His sisters, Mary and Martha, were devastated and confused. They believed Jesus could have healed him if He’d come sooner. The whole village was mourning.

But here’s what makes this story incredible: Jesus already knew exactly what He was going to do. Earlier in the chapter, He told His disciples, “This sickness will not end in death. It is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” (John 11:4)

He even told Martha in verse 23, “Your brother will rise again.”

So Jesus wasn’t surprised by the situation — He knew resurrection was coming. Yet when He saw the people weeping and felt the weight of their grief, the Bible says, “Jesus wept.”

He didn’t weep because He was powerless. He wept because He cared.

In that moment, Jesus revealed both His divine power and His human heart. He is fully God — able to raise the dead — yet fully human, moved by compassion. John 11:33 says Jesus was “deeply moved in spirit and troubled.” The Greek word used there, embrimaomai, describes a deep, emotional reaction — a mix of compassion, sorrow, and even anger toward sin and death. His tears weren’t a sign of weakness but of love.

The people around Him noticed and said, “See how He loved him.” (John 11:36) They were right. His tears were love in action — proof that our God is not distant or emotionless.

After weeping, Jesus prayed and called out, “Lazarus, come out!” (John 11:43) And Lazarus — who had been dead for four days — came back to life.

That’s why this short verse is so powerful. It captures the full picture of who Jesus is: a God who reigns with power and feels with compassion. He doesn’t ignore our pain. He joins us in it, then redeems it.

When you face loss or heartbreak, remember this: the same Jesus who wept at Lazarus’s tomb still weeps with you today. He understands every tear you cry. And one day, as Revelation 21:4 promises, “He will wipe every tear from their eyes.”

The shortest verse in the Bible carries one of its greatest truths — God loves you enough to cry with you, and powerful enough to restore what’s been lost.

When you’re not sure how to pray, A.C.T.S. gives you a simple path to follow: Adore, Confess, Thank, and Ask.

Adoration: Jesus, You are powerful and kind. You understand every tear.

Confession: Forgive me for doubting that You care when life hurts.

Thanksgiving: Thank you for being close to the brokenhearted and turning sorrow into hope.

Supplication: Help me trust Your presence in my pain and find peace in your love.

In Jesus name, Amen

“Jesus Wept” by Sia

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Remember, Jesus wept.

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Zach and the Daily Devotion team