Understanding δακρύω (dakruō) Strong’s G1145: The Divine Tears That Reveal the Messiah’s Compassionate Heart

Pronunciation Guide: dak-roo’-o (where the ‘oo’ is pronounced as in ‘food’)

Basic Definition

Strong’s G1145: δακρύω (dakruō) is a Greek verb meaning “to weep, shed tears.” This powerful expression of emotion denotes the physical act of tears flowing from the eyes, often as a response to deep emotional pain, sympathy, or compassion. In the New Testament, it is notably used of Jesus Himself, revealing the Messiah’s genuine human emotions and divine compassion toward those who suffer.

Etymology and Morphology

• Verb (present active indicative, 1st person singular)
• Derived from the noun δάκρυ/δάκρυον (dakru/dakruon) meaning “a tear”
• Indo-European origin, related to Latin “lacrima” and English “tear”
• Primary usage in narrative sections, particularly in John’s Gospel
• Appears only once in the New Testament (John 11:35)

δακρύω Morphology:

• δακρύω (present active indicative, 1st person singular) – I weep, I shed tears
• δακρύεις (present active indicative, 2nd person singular) – you weep, you shed tears
• δακρύει (present active indicative, 3rd person singular) – he/she/it weeps, sheds tears
• ἐδάκρυσεν (aorist active indicative, 3rd person singular) – he/she/it wept, shed tears (the form used in John 11:35)
• δακρύοντες (present active participle, nominative plural masculine) – weeping ones, those who are weeping

Origin & History

The verb δακρύω derives from the Indo-European root *dakru-, which gave rise to various related words across language families. In classical Greek literature, the term appears in the works of Homer, where it often describes warriors weeping in moments of great loss or emotional intensity. In the Iliad, Homer uses the term to describe Achilles weeping over the death of Patroclus, demonstrating that even the mightiest heroes experienced profound grief.

In the Septuagint (LXX), the Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures, related forms of δάκρυ appear frequently, especially in the Psalms and prophetic literature to express deep sorrow and repentance. For example, in Psalm 6:6 (LXX 6:7), David writes of his bed being flooded with tears (δάκρυσιν). The Church Fathers, particularly John Chrysostom in his homilies, emphasized Jesus’ weeping at Lazarus’ tomb as evidence of His true humanity and compassion, noting that His tears demonstrated the depth of His love for humanity.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• To shed tears physically, as a natural bodily response to emotion
• To weep publicly, expressing grief, sorrow, or compassion
• To experience profound emotional response that manifests physically through tears
• To express sympathy or empathy through the act of weeping

δακρύω Translation Options:

• To weep – Emphasizes the active expression of emotion through tears
• To shed tears – Focuses on the physical manifestation of the emotional response
• To cry – A more contemporary equivalent, though potentially less precise in capturing the dignified nature of Jesus’ weeping
• To tear up – Describes the beginning stage of weeping where tears form but may not fully flow, though this is less precise for the aorist tense used in John 11:35 which indicates a completed action

Biblical Usage

The verb δακρύω appears only once in the entire New Testament, making it a rare and significant term. Its singular occurrence in John 11:35, “Jesus wept” (ἐδάκρυσεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς), is notably the shortest verse in many English Bible translations. This profound moment occurs at the tomb of Lazarus, where Jesus is moved by the grief of Mary, Martha, and the mourners, as well as by His own love for His friend Lazarus.

While the specific verb δακρύω appears only once, related forms of the noun δάκρυ/δάκρυον (tear) occur several times throughout the New Testament, highlighting the importance of tears in expressing genuine emotion in biblical narrative:

• “Jesus wept [ἐδάκρυσεν].” John 11:35
• “She began to wet His feet with her tears [τοῖς δάκρυσιν].” Luke 7:38
• “Night and day with tears [δακρύων].” Acts 20:31
• “I wrote to you out of much affliction and anguish of heart and with many tears [δακρύων].” 2 Corinthians 2:4
• “Serve the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears [δακρύων].” Acts 20:19
• “God shall wipe away all tears [δάκρυον] from their eyes.” Revelation 7:17
• “God shall wipe away all tears [δάκρυον] from their eyes.” Revelation 21:4

Cultural Insights

In ancient Jewish culture, weeping was a socially acceptable and expected expression of grief. Professional mourners were even hired for funerals to lead in lamentation. However, Jesus’ weeping at Lazarus’ tomb was different from ritualistic mourning—it was a genuine expression of His compassion and love. This distinction would have been noticed by the Jewish observers present, who remarked, “See how He loved him!” (John 11:36).

The Jewish tradition recognized tears as spiritually significant. The Talmud teaches that “the gates of tears are never locked,” suggesting that sincere tears in prayer have special access to God. This concept is reflected in Psalm 56:8, where David writes that God keeps track of his sorrows and collects his tears in a bottle. Jesus’ tears at Lazarus’ tomb therefore carried powerful cultural resonance, connecting His expression of grief with the Jewish understanding of tears as a holy language of the heart that God particularly attends to.

Theological Significance

Jesus’ weeping (δακρύω) at Lazarus’ tomb provides one of the most profound theological insights into the incarnation. This singular verb usage reveals that the Messiah, though fully divine, experienced genuine human emotions. His tears demonstrate that God doesn’t stand distant from human suffering but enters into it fully. This is the essence of the incarnation—God taking on flesh not merely in appearance but in the fullness of human experience, including its sorrows.

The juxtaposition of Jesus’ weeping with His subsequent miracle of raising Lazarus creates a powerful theological picture. He weeps even though He knows He will perform a resurrection miracle moments later. This reveals an important truth: God’s omnipotence doesn’t negate His compassion. Even when God is about to turn mourning into dancing, He first joins us in our grief. The Messiah doesn’t rush past human suffering to get to redemption; He fully acknowledges and participates in the pain before transforming it. This gives tremendous comfort to believers experiencing grief—our tears are not a sign of spiritual weakness but can be holy expressions that the Messiah Himself modeled.

Personal Application

When we understand that Jesus wept (δακρύω) despite knowing He would soon raise Lazarus, we learn something profound about walking with God through suffering. Our tears are not evidence of faithlessness but can be expressions of holy empathy. Jesus’ example gives us permission to grieve losses honestly while still trusting in God’s power to redeem our circumstances. We need not suppress emotions to appear spiritually strong; rather, like Jesus, we can weep with those who weep (Romans 12:15) while holding fast to hope.

Moreover, Jesus’ tears remind us that when we suffer, we do not follow a God who is unfamiliar with pain. The Messiah who wept at Lazarus’ tomb is the same One who walks with us through the valley of the shadow of death. In our moments of deepest grief, we can take comfort knowing that our tears are understood by a Savior who has also wept, whose compassion is not theoretical but experiential. This truth invites us to bring our authentic emotions—even the painful ones—to Him, knowing He receives them with understanding.

Related Words

• κλαίω (klaiō, pronounced klie’-o) – To weep, wail, lament; expresses a more demonstrative form of weeping, often with audible sobbing or wailing. While δακρύω focuses specifically on shedding tears, κλαίω encompasses a broader range of grief expressions. See G2799
• θρηνέω (thrēneō, pronounced thray-neh’-o) – To mourn, lament, sing a dirge; describes formal or ritualized expressions of grief, often in public settings. Unlike the spontaneous weeping of δακρύω, θρηνέω frequently refers to ceremonial mourning practices. See G2354
• πενθέω (pentheō, pronounced pen-theh’-o) – To mourn, grieve; indicates a state of deep sorrow, often connected to spiritual mourning or repentance. This differs from δακρύω in that it emphasizes the internal emotional state rather than its physical manifestation through tears. See G3996
• στενάζω (stenazō, pronounced sten-ad’-zo) – To groan, sigh deeply; expresses grief or distress through sounds rather than tears. While δακρύω involves visible tears, στενάζω focuses on audible expressions of suffering or burden. See G4727
• ὀδυρμός (odurmos, pronounced od-oor-mos’) – Lamentation, wailing; refers to intense expressions of grief, often involving both tears and vocal expressions. This term is more intense than δακρύω and encompasses a fuller range of grieving behaviors. See G3602

Did you Know?

• Did you know that John 11:35 (“Jesus wept”) is the shortest verse in the English Bible, but not in the original Greek? In Greek, “Jesus wept” (ἐδάκρυσεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς) contains three words and 16 letters, while “Rejoice always” (1 Thessalonians 5:16) contains only two Greek words (πάντοτε χαίρετε) and 14 letters. This linguistic detail highlights how translations can shift our perception of the text, yet the profound theological significance of Jesus’ tears remains undiminished across languages.
• Did you know that ancient Greeks and Romans collected tears in small glass bottles called lachrymatoriums? These “tear catchers” were used during times of mourning, with mourners collecting their tears as a symbol of respect and remembrance for the deceased. This practice provides a fascinating parallel to Psalm 56:8, where David writes that God collects our tears in His bottle. When Jesus wept (δακρύω) at Lazarus’ tomb, His tears were not just observed by people but were precious to the Father, each one counted and valued.
• Did you know that while most English translations render John 11:35 as “Jesus wept,” a more precise translation of ἐδάκρυσεν (from δακρύω) would be “Jesus shed tears”? The term specifically refers to the physical act of tears flowing rather than the broader concept of weeping (which might include sobbing or wailing). This precision matters theologically because it portrays Jesus expressing genuine emotion in a dignified manner befitting the Messiah—neither stoically suppressing His feelings nor engaging in the excessive demonstrations common to professional mourners of the time.

Remember This

Jesus’ tears (δακρύω) at Lazarus’ tomb reveal the perfect harmony of divine power and human compassion—a God mighty enough to raise the dead yet tender enough to weep with those He loves.