John 11:36
What does John 11:36 mean?
A plain-English look at John 11:36 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 11:36 means
Witnessing His tears, some of the Jews say, “Behold how he loved him!” They rightly discern that Jesus’ weeping flows from love. Their comment confirms that Jesus’ relationship with Lazarus was marked by genuine affection. Yet this recognition, while true, does not yet grasp the full measure of His love—a love that will act with power. The verse shows that even skeptics can see love in Christ’s face. It prepares the reader to value the miracle not only as a display of strength but as the outworking of personal, compassionate love toward a friend and his grieving sisters.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000The Jews therefore said, Behold how he loved him!
KJV
King James Version · 1611Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901The Jews therefore said, Behold how he loved him!
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949So the Jews said, See how dear he was to him!
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862The Jews, therefore, said, `Lo, how he was loving him!'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752The Jews therefore said: Behold how he loved him.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890The Jews therefore said, Behold how he loved him!
Context
This reaction follows Jesus’ weeping and captures one stream of interpretation among the crowd. The others, in the next verse, will question His power. The combination of admiration and skepticism creates a charged atmosphere as Jesus nears the tomb. This mixed response underscores that the sign to come will both confirm His love and answer the challenge of His ability, leading some to faith and others to report Him to His opponents.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 John 4:9
Herein was the love of God manifested in us, that God hath sent his only begotten Son into the world that we might live through him.
- Revelation 1:5
and from Jesus Christ, who isthe faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loveth us, and loosed us from our sins by his blood;
- Ephesians 5:2
and walk in love, even as Christ also loved you, and gave himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for an odor of a sweet smell.
- John 11:3
The sisters therefore sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.
- John 21:15
So when they had broken their fast, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of John, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
- 2 Corinthians 8:8
I speak not by way of commandment, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity also of your love.
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