John 11:38 Meaning and Explanation
“Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Jesus approaches the tomb, groaning with deep emotion, and sees it sealed with a stone.
The Context of John 11:38
The scene moves from the weeping bystanders to the tomb itself. Jesus approaches with the sound of his groaning evident to those who hear him.
What Does John 11:38 Mean?
The verb 'groaning'—from stenazō—suggests something deeper than quiet tears. It is the sound of anguish, of resistance, of emotion that must find voice. John has already told us Jesus wept. Now we hear him groan. The dead man in the cave has been sealed away by stone, separated from the living world, his body already in decay. Jesus feels this separation, this finality, even as he approaches it.
The cave describes a burial practiced among the wealthy in first-century Judea. It is not an open grave but a chamber. The stone is not something that will roll away by accident. It is placed deliberately, a barrier between the world of the living and the realm of the dead. Jesus stands before this barrier, groaning.
John 11:38 in the Original Language
stenazō, 'groaning' -- deep emotional expression, suffering or straining under emotion
How to Apply John 11:38 Today
Real encounter with death, even when we know resurrection is possible, is costly. It is not wrong to feel the weight of it. Jesus did not dismiss his own emotional struggle as irrelevant to what was about to happen.
Frequently Asked Questions About John 11:38
What does John 11:38 mean?
Jesus approaches the tomb, groaning with deep emotion, and sees it sealed with a stone.
What is the context of John 11:38?
The scene moves from the weeping bystanders to the tomb itself. Jesus approaches with the sound of his groaning evident to those who hear him.
How can I apply John 11:38 today?
Real encounter with death, even when we know resurrection is possible, is costly. It is not wrong to feel the weight of it. Jesus did not dismiss his own emotional struggle as irrelevant to what was about to happen.