The Longest Verse in the Bible
What is the longest verse in the Bible?
Esther 8:9 is generally considered to be the longest verse in the Bible. It contains about 71 words, depending on the translation.
Revelation 20:4 is the second longest verse, with 68 words.
But perhaps the verse that says the most is John 11:35,
"Jesus wept."
In two words this verse reveals the heart of God.
Remember the events around this verse. Lazarus, the close friend of Jesus, was sick, and Jesus intentionally delayed his return until Lazarus had died. He knew what he was going to do. He would miraculously raise Lazarus from the dead, Lazarus would step out of his tomb, triumphantly proving that Jesus is lord even over death. Excellent plan! Later, following threats on his life, Lazarus would move to Cyprus and be a leader in a church there. I sat on the grave of Lazarus in the church basement in Larnaka, Cyprus, contemplating what it must have been like to sit under the ministry of Lazarus. Jesus, and Lazarus through Jesus, won!
With the foreknowledge that Jesus had, stepping up to the tomb where Lazarus lay, he could well have been rejoicing, glad, triumphant, excited at what was about to happen. But he wasn't.
"Jesus wept."
Jesus put aside his own understanding, his own foreknowledge, and took upon himself the sorrow and grief of Mary and Martha. He wept because they were hurting. God feels our pain, even when he knows eventually all will be well. His thoughts are not all about himself; he cares about us. Yes, we understand that in the resurrection, in the end, we will be with him in glory and all sorrows will be long gone. But in this life, we suffer with pain, with the death of loved ones, with disappointment and discouragements—and God cares. He is "touched with the feeling of our infirmities" (Hebrews 4:15).
Not only does he feel our pain and sorrows, but he encourages us to do the same. In Romans 12:15 Paul wrote, "Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn." We are sometimes tempted to offer words of encouragement to those who are going through great sadness. We could tell them to cheer up, it will get better. But those cheap words are seldom appreciated, nor do they do much good. We would do better to follow Jesus' example.
"Jesus wept."