No indication is given of why Jesus wept, though the Jews interpreted his weeping as a sign of his love for Lazarus. The word translated wept is used only in this verse in the New Testament. The word used of Mary in verse 33 indicates loud wailing, but the word used here comes from a noun meaning “tears.”

Rather than the imperative expression See how much he loved him, one may employ an expression of possibility, for example, “You can see how much he loved him” or “… loved Lazarus.” The people said may be translated “The people said to one another.”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on the Gospel of John. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1980. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .