33 When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, 34 And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see. 35 Jesus wept. 36 Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him! 37 And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died? (John 11:33-37 KJV)
William Burkitt’s Commentary
Observe here, 1. The condolency and tender sympathy expressed by our Saviour upon this occasion: He groaned in his spirit, and was troubled: or, as the original has it, he troubled himself, intimating that our Saviour’s passions were pure and holy, not like ours, muddy and mixed with sinful imperfection. The commotions of his affections were like the shaking of pure water in a crystal glass, which still remains clear; and they arose and were calmed at his pleasure; he was not overpowered by them, but had them at his command.
Learn hence, That as Christ took upon him the human nature so he did assume also human affections, thereby evidencing himself to be our brother and near kinsman, according to the flesh.
Learn, 2. That the passions and affections, which our Saviour had and expressed, were always holy and innocent: he was not without them, but he was above them; they did never violently and immoderately trouble him, but when he pleased, he troubled himself Jesus groaned in spirit, and troubled himself.
Observe, 2. How our Saviour manifests his condolency and tender sympathy with Martha and Mary, by his weeping. Jesus wept: partly from compassion, and partly for example; in compassion first to humanity to see how miserably sin had debased the human nature and rendered man like unto the brute beasts that perish.
Secondly, in compassion to Lazarus, whom he was now about to bring back into a sinful and troublesome world. Thus St. Jerome, Non flevit Chrystus lachrymas nostras, &c. “Christ, says he, did not weep tears, he mourned over Lazarus, not because dead, but because now to be brought again to life.”
Again Christ wept for our example, to fetch sighs and tears from us, at the sight of others’ miseries, and especially at the funerals of our godly friends.
Learn hence, That mourning and sorrow, and this expressed by tears and weeping, is an affection proper for those that go to funerals, provided it be decently kept within due bounds and is not excessive: for immoderate sorrow is hurtful to the living, and dishonourable to the dead: neither is it an argument of more love, but an evidence of less grace.
Note, 3. How the Jews observing Christ’s sorrow for, admire his love to, dead Lazarus: Behold, how he loved him! Christ’s love to his people is admirable and soul amazing: such as see it may admire it, but can never fully comprehend it.
Note, 4. How some of the malicious Jews attempt to lessen the reputation of our Saviour, not willing to own him to be God, because he did not keep Lazarus from dying; as if Christ could not be the Son of God, because he did not at all times, and in all cases, exert and put forth his divine power. Whereas Christ acted freely, and not necessarily, governing his actions by his own wisdom, as he saw most conducing to the ends and purposes of his own glory.