The New Testament recounts an instance where Jesus, upon approaching the tomb of Lazarus, exhibited profound grief. This emotional display, documented in the Gospel of John, has been subject to theological reflection and interpretation for centuries. Understanding the impetus behind this expression of sorrow requires considering the multifaceted nature of Jesus’s person.
The significance of this emotional display lies in its demonstration of Jesus’s humanity. While understood to be divine, the Gospels portray Jesus as also fully human, experiencing emotions common to humankind. The observed grief highlights a compassionate connection with those who suffer, reflecting empathy for the pain of Mary and Martha, Lazarus’s sisters, and for the universal experience of loss and death. Furthermore, some theological perspectives suggest the grief stemmed from lamenting the presence of death and sin in the world, consequences of the fall of humanity.
