Tim Maas Supporter Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

I would say that the anger that Jesus experienced in the cited passage would have been at the sin (and consequent mortality) into which Satan had led humanity, resulting in the kind of intense grief and mourning that people undergo when a loved one dies, and that He was witnessing all around Him (as well as experiencing Himself).

(The Greek word translated as "anger" or "angry" (anglicized as "embrimaomai") occurs five times in the gospels (Matthew 9:30; Mark 1:43; Mark 14:5; John 11:33; and John 11:38). It generally is used to characterize a mood of emphatic seriousness, sternness, or chastisement.)

October 02 2024 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

John Appelt Supporter

At the death of Lazarus, Jesus “groaned in the spirit and was troubled.” John 11:33. A few versions, such as the New Living Translation, mention Jesus being angry. But this is a doubtful translation.

The Greek word is “embrimaomai” which literally means “snort,” as used to describe snorting of horses. This led to thinking it meant hot anger as commentators have assumed it to be, but it instead it has a different meaning, not at all related to any anger issue. Animal experts say that snorting is not what a horse does when it is angry. It snorts when it is content, excited, or in some way anxious.

The word means some kind of a deeply inward feeling bubbling up into some manner of expression. The word is found five times in the New Testament.

In John 11 the death of Lazarus was the situation which affected everyone who had been close to him. Even the Lord was touched with grief as He groaned in the spirit (“embrimaomai”) and was troubled. This is verified by verse 35 which says, “Jesus wept.” The Jews understood this was intense grief when they remarked how Jesus must have loved Lazarus.

The same word is in John 11:38, when Jesus, again deeply moved, approached the tomb. No hint of anger is there (except as indicated in those few translations).

If it were a case of anger, no satisfactory explanation is given in the text or by commentators as to why He was angry. Some suggest Jesus directed His anger at sin, unbelief, or death, but that is reading more into it than the context says. Furthermore, it would have been most strange to be angry and weeping at the same time, as if the Lord was having a mood swing disorder. Instead, He was truly troubled, overwhelmed and emotionally distressed with grief. It was heard as groaning and seen as weeping, expressions of what He felt inside.

Three other times, the Greek word “embrimaomai” is used. In Matthew 9:30 and Mark 1:43, Jesus “sternly warned” the healed to not let anyone know about what He had done. He was seriously restraining them from doing so, as it would harm His ministry by bringing about unnecessary publicity.

One other time, Mark 14:5, it was the disgust of onlookers criticizing Mary for her wasting precious ointment. It bothered and agitated them that she did this, and they let her know that.

In all of these instances, it was not anger but expressions from very strong feelings that welled up from deep within and bubbled up to the surface. Thus, one would hear a sigh, a groan, or some kind of emotional response as in how Jesus spoke to the healed men.

When Lazarus died, Jesus fully felt the grief intensely. In fact, He felt it in the depth of His being, even the spirit, so that He groaned and also wept. As fully human, He shared in the grief of His friends, Isaiah 53:3.

October 10 2024 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Leslie Coutinho Supporter

John 11:38; Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it.

Every child of God the Father needs to heed His Word, which is a good part Mary had chosen. Hearkening to His Word leads one to be a well of water springing up into everlasting life, leading one to have faith in Him, which will not be taken from you. (Luk 10:42/Joh 4:14) The Jews that came to comfort them, Lord Jesus seeing them weeping along with Mary, He groaned in the spirit and was deeply troubled. This groaning was the deep anger that welled within Him because Mary lost her faith in Him. When Lord Jesus groaned within Himself, it was because Satan desired to heave them and sift them as wheat and make them lose their faith in Him. (Lk 22:31)

The Light of this world that shined upon them was to give them the wisdom of understanding and to believe in Him. For it was God the Father who sent Him into this world so that they could see the glory of God given to Him. (John 11:40,42) The groaning that triggered in Him was because some who cried with her, would go and tell the Pharisees and the chief priests who were scared that the Romans would come and take their place and nation. Their preference was to be loved and praised by men rather than the praise of God. (John 12:43) For Lord Jesus is the true vine and God the Father the Husbandman, and these scared people were the branches, that bore no fruit and were taken away because they walked in their own wisdom. (John 15:2) 

Every child of God the Father planted in His vineyard, is represented by the Lord Jesus as the true vine. If a child does not bear fruit, it is dug around and fertilized for a season to bear fruit. (Lk 13:6-9) Lord Jesus interceded for us, praying that we do not fail, so that we go and strengthen everyone in faith to wait upon the Lord. 

Lord Jesus then came to Bethany where they lived. Lazarus sat at the table with Him and Mary came to Him and poured out a costly fragrance of oil over His head, for this was then a testimony of what she had done, to be remembered as a memorial of her doings. (Mat 26:7,11-13/John 12:3)

Luke 22:31-32: And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.”

10 days ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report