John 11:33

The phrase "deeply moved" translates the Greek word enebrimesato. It invariably describes an angry, outraged, and indignant attitude (cf. John 11:38; Matthew 9:30; Mark 1:43; Mark 14:5). These emotions mingled in Jesus’ spirit as He contemplated the situation before Him. John also described Jesus as "troubled" (Gr. etaraxen). This is another strong verb that describes emotional turmoil (cf. John 5:7; John 12:27; John 13:21; John 14:1; John 14:27). Jesus was angry, but at what? The context provides some help in identifying the cause of His anger.

Evidently as Jesus viewed the misery that death inflicts on humans and the loved ones of those who die He thought of its cause: sin. Many of the Jews present had come from Jerusalem where Jesus had encountered stubborn unbelief. The sin of unbelief resulted in spiritual death, the source of eternal grief and mourning. Probably Jesus felt angry because He was face to face with the consequences of sin and particularly unbelief.

Other explanations for Jesus’ anger are that Jesus resented being forced to do a miracle. [Note: Barrett, p. 399.] However, Jesus had waited to go to Bethany so He could perform a miracle (John 11:11). Another idea is that Jesus believed the Jews’ mourning was hypocritical, but there is nothing in the text that indicates that the mourners were insincere. Others believe that John meant that Jesus was profoundly moved by these events, particularly the attitude of the mourners who failed to understand His person. [Note: Morris, p. 494.]