When we think of Jesus, we see Him as strong. We think of Him calming storms and healing sick people. But the Bible also shows a soft side of our Savior. It shows a man who felt deep feelings, just like us. This leads us to a touching question: how many times did Jesus cry in the Bible? This is not just about counting. It is a question that opens up God’s heart.
The Bible tells us of three times that Jesus cried. Each time, His tears show us something good about Him. They show a Savior who is not far away or cold. He came into our world as a human. He feels our sadness. He is sad about sin. He knows our pain. These moments help us know we have a High Priest who feels for us. His tears are a sign of His great love.
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What is the Most Famous Time Jesus Wept in the Bible?
The shortest verse in the Bible is also one of the strongest. In the book of John, a two-word line gives us great comfort: “Jesus wept” (John 11:35). This is the most famous time that Jesus cried.
Why Did Jesus Cry at Lazarus’s Tomb?
The story is about Jesus’s good friend, Lazarus. Lazarus had died. When Jesus came, Lazarus had been dead for four days. He found Lazarus’s sisters, Mary and Martha. They were very sad. The Bible says that when Jesus saw Mary crying, and others crying too, He was “deeply moved in spirit and troubled” (John 11:33).
They took Him to the tomb. He cried. Now, Jesus knew He would raise Lazarus from the dead soon. So, His tears were not from a loss of hope. Why did He cry? He cried because His friends were sad. He felt their pain. He felt deep care for their sorrow. He also cried because He saw how awful death is. Death was not in God’s first plan. It is an enemy. It is a sad result of sin in the world. Jesus’s tears showed He felt their pain. He was also angry at the pain that death brings. This event is a key answer to how many times did Jesus cry in the Bible.
What Does “Jesus Wept” Teach Us About Our Own Grief?
This short verse is a great comfort. It helps anyone who has lost a loved one. It tells us that God is not far from our pain. He does not look at our sadness and say, “be strong.” He comes into our sadness with us. He cries with us.
Jesus’s tears show us it is okay to be sad. They show that sadness is a normal part of loving someone. It is okay to cry. It is okay to feel the deep pain of loss. Our Savior knows how it feels. He has been there. This moment shows us we have a God with a soft heart. He is with us in our sad times.
When Else Do We Learn How Many Times Did Jesus Cry in the Bible?
Another strong time of Jesus crying is in the book of Luke. This time, His tears are not for one family. They are for a whole city. It is a new kind of sadness, but it shows us more of God’s heart.
Why Did Jesus Weep Over Jerusalem?
The event is what we call the Triumphal Entry. Jesus is riding into Jerusalem on a donkey. Big crowds are there. They are shouting praise. They are waving palm branches. They treat Him like a great king. It looks like a happy time.
But as Jesus got close to the city and saw it, the Bible says, “he wept over it” (Luke 19:41). With all the cheers, Jesus was crying. Why? He cried because He saw the future. He knew the same people shouting “Hosanna!” would soon shout “Crucify him!” He cried because they missed their chance for real peace. He said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes.” He saw the bad things that would happen to the city years later. This was because they said no to Him, their true King and the source of all peace.
What Does Jesus’s Sorrow for Jerusalem Mean for Us?
Jesus’s tears for the city show us God’s soft heart for lost people. God does not like to see judgment. The Bible says He is “not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). Jesus’s sadness was for the people who chose a road that led to ruin.
This makes us think. Do we have that same kind of heart for our own towns and cities? Do we feel sad for those who do not know the peace of Jesus? Jesus’s example calls us to see the world with His eyes of care. It tells us to pray for lost people. This sorrowful moment is important when we ask how many times did Jesus cry in the Bible. It tells us to share the good news of His peace with them.
What Other Texts Mention How Many Times Did Jesus Cry in the Bible?
There is a third time the Bible talks about Jesus’s tears. This one is not in a story. It is in a letter to the first Christians. It tells us about Jesus’s inner life on earth.
What Does Hebrews Say About How Many Times Did Jesus Cry in the Bible?
The book of Hebrews gives us a strong look into Jesus’s prayer life. It says, “During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission” (Hebrews 5:7).
When did this happen? Most Bible experts link this verse to Jesus’s time in the Garden of Gethsemane. This was the night before He was killed on the cross. The Gospels tell us that Jesus was in great pain. He was “overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death” (Matthew 26:38). He was about to take all the sins of the world on Himself. He was about to be cut off from His Father. In this time of great stress, He prayed with “fervent cries and tears.”
What Do His Garden Tears Show About How Many Times Did Jesus Cry in the Bible?
These tears show us that Jesus was truly human. He was not a hero who felt no pain. He was a real person who felt deep pain. His tears show us the great price of our salvation. It was not easy for Jesus to go to the cross. It was the hardest thing anyone has ever done.
His tears also show us His perfect trust and obedience. He was in pain, but His prayer was, “not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42). He said yes to the Father’s plan out of love for us. This makes Him the perfect High Priest. He is able to “empathize with our weaknesses” because He has felt pain Himself. When we are in pain and cry out to God, we know that Jesus gets it. He has been there.
Are There Other Times Jesus Might Have Cried?
The Bible gives us these three clear records. But He may have cried at other times too. The Bible does not tell us every moment of His 33 years on earth. Since He was fully human, it is easy to think He cried at other times.
Did Jesus Cry as a Baby?
Yes, for sure. The Bible is clear that Jesus was a real human baby. He was born in a stable. He was wrapped in cloths and put in a manger. Like all other babies, He would have cried. He would have cried if He was hungry, tired, or needed to be held.
This is a sweet thought. It shows us how much He lowered Himself. The Son of God, who made the world, became a small baby. He fully needed the care of His mother, Mary, and His earthly father, Joseph. His baby tears are a sign of His great love and lowliness.
Could Jesus Have Cried at Other Times?
The Bible does not say so. But we can guess that a person with such a kind heart would have cried at other times.
- Did He cry when He saw how much pain sickness caused?
- Did His heart hurt over the proud hearts of the church leaders?
- Did He cry when His earthly father, Joseph, died?
We cannot know for sure. But these thoughts fit the man we see in the Gospels. He was a “man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering” (Isaiah 53:3). His heart was always soft to the pain of the world He came to save. This is a key part of knowing how many times did Jesus cry in the Bible.
How Many Times Did Jesus Cry in the Bible Our Savior Understands Our Tears
So, how many times did Jesus cry in the Bible? The Bible tells us of three strong moments. He cried because He felt the sadness of His friends. He cried out of sadness for a city that said no to its only hope for peace. And He cried in pain as He faced the cross for our sins.
Each of these moments gives us a good picture of our Savior. He is not a God who is far off and does not care. He is a God who came close. He lived a full human life. He felt joy, and He felt deep sadness. He knows what it is like to have a broken heart. He knows what it is like to feel lost. For more on the sweet human side of Jesus, you can find great resources from places like Dallas Theological Seminary.
His tears give us great comfort. They tell us that when we cry, we have a Savior who knows how we feel. He catches every one of our tears in a bottle. And He is with us. He gives us His peace and strength when we need it.
FAQ – How Many Times Did Jesus Cry in the Bible

Does the Bible suggest Jesus might have cried at other times in His life?
While the Bible explicitly details three occasions, it is likely that Jesus cried at other times as well, such as witnessing human suffering, sickness, or grief, because His heart was always tender and compassionate towards people’s pain.
What can we learn from Jesus weeping over Jerusalem?
Jesus’ tears for Jerusalem show His compassion for lost souls and His sadness over the rejection of salvation. It encourages us to share His heart of care for others and to pray for those who do not yet know His peace.
Why did Jesus cry at Lazarus’s tomb despite knowing He would raise Lazarus from the dead?
Jesus cried because He was moved by the sorrow of His friends and felt the horror of death, which is contrary to God’s original plan. His tears reflected His love for Lazarus and His deep sorrow about the impact of sin.
What is the significance of the shortest verse in the Bible, ‘Jesus wept’?
‘Jesus wept’ is the shortest verse yet one of the most powerful, showing Jesus’ compassion and emotional connection to human grief. It highlights that God understands and shares in our sadness, providing comfort in our times of loss.
How many times did Jesus cry in the Bible and what do these tears signify?
The Bible records three clear instances of Jesus crying, each revealing His deep compassion, love, and sorrow for human pain. His tears demonstrate that He is empathetic and shares in our suffering, showing a soft and caring side of our Savior.