I am grieving

What this passage says

Jesus arrives after Lazarus has died. He speaks with Martha about resurrection and life, and asks Mary where the body is. Verse 33 says he groaned in the spirit and was troubled, verse 35 that he wept. Then he raises Lazarus.

What describes your situation best?

Only if it helps. Nothing you choose is saved or sent anywhere.

• Someone I love has died
• The loss is recent
• It has been a long time and it still hurts
• I lost something other than a person
• I do not know how to grieve

What would help you most right now?

• Give me Scripture to read
• Help me understand what Scripture says
• Guide me through prayer
• Give me a short study
• Create a 7-day Scripture journey

Read these next

• The same thing taught elsewhere

  Loading 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18…

  Paul writes so believers do not grieve as those without hope; he does not tell them not to grieve.

• The same theme carried on

  Loading Psalm 34:15-22…

  The Lord is near the broken-hearted, stated among the righteous who cry out.

• Old and New Testament together

  Loading Revelation 21:1-5…

  Death and mourning are named as things God ends.

What this means for you

The shortest verse in the chapter is the one that matters most for a grieving reader. Jesus knew what he was about to do and still wept.

One thing to do

Do not rush the passage. Read John 11:17-44 whole, and let verse 35 stand as it is.

Pray this passage

Lord Jesus, you wept at a grave. You did not scold Mary and Martha for their sorrow, and you do not scold mine. I miss them. This passage says you are the resurrection and the life. Hold that in front of me while I grieve, and be near, as Psalm 34 says you are near the broken-hearted.

Or pray in your own words

• Say their name to God, and say what you have lost.
• Ask him to be near the broken-hearted, as Psalm 34:18 says.
• Ask for one person who can sit with you this week.

A 7 day Scripture path

Seven passages, one a day, read in your own translation. Kept in this browser only.

Where to go from here

• Read the whole chapter around John 11:17-44
• Put one of these verses to memory
• Save a verse or write a note in your library
• Choose another subject