The shortest verse in the KJV
The usual answer is John 11:35. In the King James Version, it contains only two words. Other English translations may arrange words differently, so the answer can vary slightly when someone is counting letters or comparing translations. But for readers of the KJV, John 11:35 is the well-known shortest verse.
Short does not mean shallow. John places this moment in a long, deeply human scene of loss, questions, tears, and hope. Those two words have stayed with generations of readers because they show Jesus meeting sorrow rather than standing at a safe distance from it.
Jesus wept.
What was happening?
Lazarus, a friend Jesus loved, had died in Bethany. By the time Jesus arrived, Lazarus had been in the tomb for four days. Martha spoke with Jesus about resurrection and faith, while Mary came to him weeping alongside the mourners who had gathered with her (John 11:17, John 11:25-26, John 11:32-33).
Jesus knew that he was about to raise Lazarus. Yet he still entered into the family's pain. John says he was troubled as he saw their grief, and the people nearby recognised his love for Lazarus when they saw his tears (John 11:33, John 11:36).
Why it matters
This verse reminds us that faith does not require pretending loss is easy. Jesus spoke confidently about resurrection, but he also wept at a grave. Hope and tears can sit together. If you are grieving, this scene shows that your sorrow is not ignored by Christ.
The New Testament also says that Jesus can sympathise with human weakness because he shared our experience of testing, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15). His compassion in Bethany is not merely an idea. It is shown in the presence he gives to grieving people.
For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Read the whole story
John 11:35 is memorable on its own, but it becomes clearer in its setting. Jesus does not leave Lazarus in the tomb. He calls him out, and Lazarus comes alive again (John 11:43-44). The event points beyond one family’s miracle to Jesus' promise that he is the resurrection and the life (John 11:25-26).
Try reading John 11 slowly, especially the conversations with Martha and Mary. Notice both Jesus' authority over death and his tenderness towards people in pain. The Bible's shortest KJV verse opens a window onto both.