Crying is a natural and powerful expression of our emotions, whether in response to pain, loss, joy, or relief. The Bible acknowledges the full range of human emotions, including tears, and offers comfort and hope for those who weep. Through Scripture, we see that God understands our tears, hears our cries, and responds with compassion. Crying can also be a form of prayer, a release of sorrow, and a pathway to healing. Here are 30 Bible verses about crying, each with a brief commentary.
1. Psalm 56:8
“Record my misery; list my tears on your scroll—are they not in your record?”
The psalmist expresses that God remembers every tear. It teaches that God is intimately aware of our sorrows, and He keeps track of our tears, showing His deep care and compassion for our pain.
2. John 11:35
“Jesus wept.”
This is the shortest verse in the Bible, yet profound in meaning. It teaches that Jesus, in His humanity, experienced grief and sorrow, showing us that He fully understands our pain and is with us in our moments of deep sadness.
3. Revelation 21:4
“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
This verse offers a promise of eternal comfort. It teaches that in the new heaven and earth, God will remove all sources of pain and sorrow, bringing an end to crying, and ushering in an era of everlasting peace and joy.
4. Psalm 34:17-18
“The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
The psalmist assures us of God’s response to our cries. It teaches that God is near to those who are heartbroken and listens to their cries, providing deliverance and comfort in times of deep distress.
5. Isaiah 25:8
“He will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove his people’s disgrace from all the earth. The Lord has spoken.”
This verse prophesies the end of suffering. It teaches that God will ultimately conquer death and remove all sorrow, wiping away every tear, and restoring dignity and joy to His people.
6. Psalm 126:5
“Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.”
The psalmist speaks of the transformation of sorrow into joy. It teaches that our tears and suffering are not in vain; they will eventually lead to a harvest of joy, as God turns our mourning into gladness.
7. Matthew 5:4
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”
Jesus offers comfort to those who mourn. It teaches that in the midst of our grief, God’s blessing is upon us, and He promises to bring comfort, turning our sorrow into a deeper experience of His presence and peace.
8. Jeremiah 31:16
“This is what the Lord says: ‘Restrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears, for your work will be rewarded,’ declares the Lord. ‘They will return from the land of the enemy.'”
God speaks to Israel about hope for the future. It teaches that there is a time when God will end our tears and bring about restoration, rewarding our faithfulness and answering our cries for help.
9. Psalm 30:5
“For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.”
This verse highlights the temporary nature of sorrow. It teaches that while we may endure seasons of weeping, they are temporary, and God’s joy and favor will return, bringing light and hope after the darkness.
10. 2 Kings 20:5
“Go back and tell Hezekiah, the ruler of my people, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will heal you.'”
God responds to King Hezekiah’s tears. It teaches that God is attentive to our tears and prayers, and He has the power to bring healing and restoration in response to our heartfelt cries.
11. Psalm 6:6
“I am worn out from my groaning. All night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears.”
David expresses deep anguish and exhaustion from crying. It teaches that even in our most intense moments of despair, God hears our cries and understands our pain, offering His comfort and strength.
12. Job 16:20
“My intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour out tears to God.”
Job speaks of his tears being directed to God. It teaches that in our suffering, we can bring our tears to God, knowing that He is our friend and intercessor who understands and cares for us deeply.
13. Luke 7:38
“As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.”
A woman weeps at Jesus’ feet in repentance and love. It teaches that our tears, when offered to God in repentance or love, are a powerful expression of our heart’s deepest emotions, and they are valued by Him.
14. Ecclesiastes 3:4
“A time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.”
This verse reminds us that there are seasons for every emotion. It teaches that life includes both sorrow and joy, and that crying is a natural and necessary part of the human experience, balancing our times of laughter and dancing.
15. Genesis 21:16
“Then she went off and sat down about a bowshot away, for she thought, ‘I cannot watch the boy die.’ And as she sat there, she began to sob.”
Hagar weeps over the possible death of her son, Ishmael. It teaches that in our moments of deepest despair and helplessness, God sees our tears and hears our cries, offering hope and provision when we are at our lowest.
16. Revelation 7:17
“For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; ‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’ ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.'”
This verse promises the ultimate comfort from Christ. It teaches that Jesus, as our shepherd, will guide us to a place of eternal peace and refreshment, where God Himself will wipe away all our tears, ending all sorrow.
17. Jeremiah 9:1
“Oh, that my head were a spring of water and my eyes a fountain of tears! I would weep day and night for the slain of my people.”
Jeremiah expresses deep sorrow for his people. It teaches that crying can be an expression of deep compassion and empathy for others, showing the prophet’s grief over the suffering and loss experienced by his community.
18. Psalm 39:12
“Hear my prayer, Lord, listen to my cry for help; do not be deaf to my weeping. I dwell with you as a foreigner, a stranger, as all my ancestors were.”
David pleads for God to hear his weeping. It teaches that our tears are a form of prayer, and we can trust that God listens to our cries, offering His presence and comfort even when we feel like strangers in the world.
19. Isaiah 38:5
“Go and tell Hezekiah, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will add fifteen years to your life.'”
God acknowledges Hezekiah’s tears and grants him more life. It teaches that God sees our tears and responds with compassion, sometimes even extending grace and favor in ways that exceed our expectations.
20. Psalm 126:6
“Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.”
The psalmist speaks of the reward for those who weep. It teaches that our tears, like seeds, can lead to a fruitful harvest of joy, symbolizing the transformation of sorrow into blessing and celebration.
21. Lamentations 2:18
“The hearts of the people cry out to the Lord. You walls of Daughter Zion, let your tears flow like a river day and night; give yourself no relief, your eyes no rest.”
The prophet urges continual weeping and prayer. It teaches that there are times when persistent crying and prayer are necessary, reflecting deep sorrow and a sincere plea for God’s intervention and mercy.
22. John 20:11
“Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb.”
Mary weeps at the tomb of Jesus. It teaches that tears are often part of our process of dealing with loss and confusion, but they can also lead us to moments of revelation and renewed hope, as Mary would soon discover Jesus’ resurrection.
23. 2 Samuel 1:12
“They mourned and wept and fasted till evening for Saul and his son Jonathan, and for the army of the Lord and for the nation of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword.”
David and his men weep for Saul and Jonathan. It teaches that crying can be a collective expression of grief, especially in response to tragedy and loss, reflecting the deep bonds of love and respect within a community.
24. Mark 14:72
“Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: ‘Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times.’ And he broke down and wept.”
Peter weeps after denying Jesus. It teaches that tears of repentance, like Peter’s, are an important step in seeking forgiveness and restoration, acknowledging our failures and the pain they cause.
25. Psalm 42:3
“My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me all day long, ‘Where is your God?'”
The psalmist expresses deep sorrow and questioning. It teaches that in times of intense emotional pain, our tears may seem overwhelming, but they also represent our deep longing for God’s presence and intervention.
26. Genesis 45:14-15
“Then he threw his arms around his brother Benjamin and wept, and Benjamin embraced him, weeping. And he kissed all his brothers and wept over them. Afterward his brothers talked with him.”
Joseph weeps upon being reunited with his brothers. It teaches that tears can also be an expression of overwhelming joy, reconciliation, and the healing of past wounds, as seen in Joseph’s emotional reunion with his family.
27. Psalm 69:3
“I am worn out calling for help; my throat is parched. My eyes fail, looking for my God.”
The psalmist describes the exhaustion of crying out to God. It teaches that sometimes our crying can feel endless, and we may feel abandoned, but these moments also call us to persist in seeking God, trusting that He hears us even in our weariness.
28. Hebrews 5:7
“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.”
This verse highlights Jesus’ fervent prayers and tears. It teaches that crying in prayer is a powerful way to connect with God, as even Jesus expressed His deepest emotions through tears, showing us the importance of bringing our full selves before God.
29. Luke 19:41
“As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it.”
Jesus weeps for Jerusalem, knowing its future suffering. It teaches that crying can be an expression of deep compassion and sorrow for others, reflecting Jesus’ love and concern for the people and their future.
30. 1 Samuel 30:4
“So David and his men wept aloud until they had no strength left to weep.”
David and his men weep after their families are taken. It teaches that crying is a natural response to great loss and distress, and it’s a way to process grief and pain before seeking God’s guidance and taking action.
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