Jesus Wept: Men, Emotions, and Mental Health

"Jesus wept." – John 11:35. The shortest verse in the Bible, yet perhaps one of the most powerful. These two words reveal something extraordinary about Jesus: His deep compassion, His humanity, and His willingness to feel. In a culture where showing emotion—especially for men—is often seen as weakness, this verse invites us to see tears differently.

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Jesus, the Son of God, the Savior of the world, cried. He cried not because He had no power, but because He had so much love. He cried for His friend Lazarus, but more so, He cried for the people mourning around Him. He entered into their grief, showing us what it means to empathize, to truly be with others in their pain.

This single moment breaks the cultural myth that real men don't cry. On the contrary, real strength includes the capacity to feel deeply. Jesus didn't shy away from grief. He didn't mask His emotions to appear stronger. He wept openly. He felt deeply. And in doing so, He gave us permission to do the same.

In today’s world, the phrase “man up” has unfortunately led many to believe that showing emotion is a form of failure. But Jesus redefines masculinity—not as emotional suppression, but as spiritual and emotional honesty. In John 11, He models a strength rooted in love and empathy, not in stoicism.

Men and Emotions: Breaking the Silence

For countless men, mental health remains a silent struggle. Anxiety, depression, burnout, and emotional fatigue are widespread, yet often remain unspoken due to stigma and shame. Christian men are not exempt. In fact, many feel additional pressure to appear spiritually "strong" by suppressing their inner battles.

But the example of Jesus in John 11:35 challenges this. He was strong, yet soft-hearted. Divine, yet deeply human. He knew He would raise Lazarus from the dead—but He still stopped to grieve. He cried not because He lacked faith, but because He had deep compassion.

That is a critical truth for men today: tears are not the opposite of faith—they are an expression of it.

If Jesus wept, then crying cannot be a sign of weakness. Rather, it’s a spiritual act of releasing, surrendering, and connecting.

The Bible gives room for emotion. Ecclesiastes 3:4 tells us there is “a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.” There is a sacred rhythm to human emotion, and denying one part of it disrupts the balance God designed.

Christian Mental Health: Embracing Emotional Honesty

As Christians, we are often encouraged to rejoice in the Lord always—and rightfully so. But rejoicing does not mean denying the reality of pain. Jesus shows us that joy and sorrow can coexist. The Psalms are full of raw, honest emotions—David crying out in anguish, confusion, even despair—yet never disconnected from faith.

In fact, the healthiest Christians are not those who hide their emotions, but those who bring them fully to God.

The Bible and mental health are not at odds. Scripture continually affirms that God is close to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18), that He collects our tears in a bottle (Psalm 56:8), and that He renews our minds (Romans 12:2).

When we avoid emotions, especially grief or sadness, we actually block the healing that God wants to bring. Christian mental health begins with spiritual vulnerability. And vulnerability means being honest with our feelings—before God and with others.

Photo Credit: The Chosen Series

Jesus and Compassion: Why His Tears Matter Today

Why did Jesus weep? Because He saw the pain of others and didn’t ignore it. He didn’t rush past it to perform a miracle. He paused. He entered the moment. He felt what others felt. This is divine compassion.

Jesus’ tears matter because they validate our own. They remind us that God is not distant or cold—He’s near, feeling with us and for us.

When men cry today—whether from grief, stress, heartbreak, or burnout—they are not alone. Jesus understands. He has been there. He wept.

This changes the narrative: strength is not found in silence, but in surrender. It takes courage to feel. It takes faith to trust that God is present even in our lowest, most emotional moments.

Faith and Feelings Can Coexist

Some believe that strong faith means always being joyful, composed, and in control. But that’s not the picture Scripture paints. Jesus cried. David lamented. Paul despaired. Jeremiah was called “the weeping prophet.” Yet each of these men was deeply loved and used by God.

Men and women alike must learn that faith and feelings are not enemies. In fact, it’s through our feelings that we often encounter God most deeply.

Jesus didn’t cry because He lacked faith. He cried because He loved. And if love doesn’t move us to tears at times—are we really paying attention?

We can—and should—laugh, hope, rejoice, and sing. But we should also allow room to cry, grieve, feel, and lament.

God Is Not Ashamed of Your Tears

One of the most comforting truths in the Bible is this: God sees every tear. He doesn’t rebuke us for crying. He doesn’t shame us for breaking down. Instead, He draws near.

Psalm 34:18: “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

This verse is a lifeline for anyone struggling silently. When your heart breaks, God is not far—He is closer than ever.

Men, especially—this is your reminder: your tears are not a threat to your masculinity. They are a bridge to healing. They are a reflection of God's heart within you.

Your emotional honesty can be a testimony of strength, courage, and trust in God.

Let the Church Be a Safe Place to Cry

It’s time for Christian communities to welcome tears, not judge them.

We need spaces where men can cry without shame, where leaders can say, “I’m not okay,” and where honesty is seen as spiritual maturity—not weakness.

Jesus wept. If the Savior of the world could show His sorrow, we can too.

It’s in that place of vulnerability that real healing begins.

Final Thoughts: Embracing True Strength

Jesus’ example of weeping is not just about crying—it’s about something deeper. It’s about compassion, empathy, and emotional honesty. When we embrace our emotions, we create room for healing and connection with God and others. Real strength is found in vulnerability, in acknowledging that we don’t have to carry our burdens alone. Just as Jesus wept in solidarity with those who mourned, we too are called to show up for each other in our moments of pain.

As we learn to navigate our emotions and mental health, we must remember that Jesus doesn’t just understand our struggles—He shares them. His tears remind us that crying is not a weakness; it’s a powerful act of faith. When men (and women) are able to weep, to be honest about their grief and pain, they are embracing the strength that comes from knowing that God is near, ready to heal, comfort, and restore.

Take your Faith to the Next Level 

References 

Holy Bible, New International Version. (2011). John 11:35. Zondervan.

Holy Bible, New International Version. (2011). Ecclesiastes 3:4. Zondervan.

Holy Bible, New International Version. (2011). Psalm 34:18. Zondervan.

American Psychological Association. (2020). Men and mental health. https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress/2020/report

Mental Health Foundation. (2022). Men and mental health. https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/a-z-topics/men-and-mental-health

Movember Foundation. (n.d.). Changing the face of men's health. https://uk.movember.com/about/mental-health