What does the Bible say about grief?

Key Bible verses about grief

1. John 11:33-35

   When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews weeping who came with her, he groaned in the spirit and was troubled, and said, “Where have you laid him?” They told him, “Lord, come and see.” Jesus wept.

2. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14

   But we don’t want you to be ignorant, brothers, concerning those who have fallen asleep, so that you don’t grieve like the rest, who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.

3. Psalm 34:18

   The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves those who have a crushed spirit.

4. Psalm 56:8

   You count my wanderings. You put my tears into your container. Aren’t they in your book?

5. Psalm 147:3

   He heals the broken in heart, and binds up their wounds.

6. Matthew 5:4

   Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

7. Isaiah 53:3-4

   He was despised and rejected by men, a man of suffering and acquainted with disease. He was despised as one from whom men hide their face; and we didn’t respect him. Surely he has borne our sickness and carried our suffering; yet we considered him plagued, struck by God, and afflicted.

8. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

   Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, through the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

9. Romans 12:15

   Rejoice with those who rejoice. Weep with those who weep.

10. Ecclesiastes 3:1-4

    For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

11. Lamentations 3:31-33

    For the Lord will not cast off forever. For though he causes grief, yet he will have compassion according to the multitude of his loving kindnesses. For he does not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men.

12. Revelation 21:4

    He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; neither will there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain any more. The first things have passed away.”

Scripture: World English Bible (public domain). Short quotations in the introduction are from the ESV. Read each passage in its chapter for the full context.