Jesus gets mad at our pain, hurts, and losses. “When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled” (John 11:33). The phrase “he was deeply moved” is a challenging phrase to translate. It comes from the Greek word ἐνεβριμήσατο; in English spelled enebrimēsato. This word only appears in this passage, but its counterparts are translated deeply moved, sternly warned, strictly instructed, groaning, murmured, or grumbled at. Some translations change “deeply moved” to very upset, a terribly upset, angry, or deep anger welled up within him. Here is a list of the English translations of that verse.
Strong’s Concordance claims the word enebrimesato comes from two root words, the beginning en or ene for “engaged in” and root brimaomai for “to snort.” It also suggests this is “to snort like an angry horse” or “to snort or roar with rage.” A rage that is indignant and intends to sternly admonish.
We can relate to these feelings if we think of a family weeping and mourning for a loved one killed by a drunk driver, an invading army, or terminal cancer in one’s youth. We see their pain and it riles up frustration and anger inside. Jesus, like us, is deeply moved. He sees the pain of sin and death and he is mad. Sin and death taint God’s good creation, and Jesus hates the fracturing of Shalom. He hates sin and death so much he went to and endured the cross. He defeated death and sin for the Father’s glory and our rescue.
Pastor John Riley
Jr. High Ministry