Crying is a profoundly human experience – something we all do, whether in moments of grief, joy, or frustration. As Dana G. Smith humorously observes in her recent New York Times article on November 14, 2024, Why Humans Cry, “Claire Danes does it. Kim Kardashian does it. Even Michael Jordan does it.” While other species produce tears to protect or lubricate their eyes, humans are unique in shedding tears that express emotions, as Smith mentions, “after a breakup, during a graduation, or while watching The Notebook.” But we, as Christians, also know from the Bible that our tears also reveal something profound about what it means to be human.

Scripture shows us that tears are a biological response and a sacred expression of the soul. From King David’s laments to Jesus’ tears at the tomb of Lazarus, the Bible treats crying as a meaningful and often spiritual act. The psalmist even suggests that God treasures our tears, writing:

You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book?” —Psalm 56:8

This verse reminds us that our tears are precious to God, seen and recorded by Him.

But what can we learn from the Bible about our tears? Why does God collect them? And how do they connect us to His design for humanity? While science helps us understand the physical function of tears, Scripture reveals deeper truths about their spiritual purpose. 

Lessons from Hannah, Jeremiah, and Peter

Tears are more than a biological response to pain or sorrow; they are deeply spiritual expressions of our humanity. While scientists may emphasize that humans are unique in their ability to cry as a response to emotion, we Christians know a deeper meaning. As Smith notes, “other species produce tears, but ours is the only one that scientists believe consistently cries not just to lubricate and protect the eyeballs, but also to express emotion” (Smith, New York Times, 2024). This uniquely human quality resonates with the Biblical understanding of tears as a way to connect with God and others.

Charles Spurgeon aptly described tears in his Morning and Evening devotional as “the diamonds of heaven, and the essence of earnestness. They are the fit incense of the heart.” Whether born of sorrow, repentance, or joy, tears offer a raw and intimate means of bringing our hearts before God. This spiritual truth unfolds vividly in the lives of Biblical figures whose tears reveal profound emotional and spiritual dimensions.

For example, Hannah’s weeping captured the depth of her anguish and faith. The Scriptures tell us:

She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly. – 1 Samuel 1:10 

Hannah’s tears weren’t just expressions of sorrow – they were an act of trust. In her grief, she chose to approach God, pouring out her pain and longing for a child. Her tears embodied her belief that God heard her and cared deeply for her situation. This vulnerability before God opened the door to His provision and reminds us that tears of faith are never wasted.

Then there is Jeremiah, known as the “weeping prophet,” whose tears were not for himself, but for his people. His lamentations are striking:

Oh, that my head were waters, and my eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people! – Jeremiah 9:1 

Jeremiah’s tears were born from a heart in sync with God’s grief over sin and rebellion. His sorrow reminds us that tears can also be prophetic, an invitation to share in God’s heartbreak for the world. These weren’t tears of hopelessness, but intercession – a call to repentance and restoration.

Lastly, Peter’s tears, by contrast, are intensely personal. After denying Jesus three times, the Gospel of Luke recounts:

And he went out and wept bitterly. – Luke 22:62 

Here, we see tears of failure and remorse. Peter’s weeping wasn’t defensive or self-preserving, but a profound, transformative sorrow. His tears prepared his heart for the forgiveness and restoration Jesus would later offer. Far from being the end of Peter’s story, his brokenness became the foundation for a ministry defined by courage and boldness.

In these stories, tears are not signs of weakness but of strength – strength to confront our failures, grieving over sin, and surrendering our deepest longings to God. They are reminders that God meets us in our most vulnerable moments, offering grace and renewal.

How We Cry with God and Each Other

Tears often flow from a profound sense of helplessness, whether from physical pain, emotional sorrow, or spiritual longing. Smith mentions, “what many tearful experiences have in common is a sense of helplessness or powerlessness” (Smith, New York Times, 2024). This resonates deeply with the Biblical understanding of human frailty and dependence. Far from being signs of defeat, tears can mark moments when we acknowledge our need for God, allowing Him to meet us in our brokenness.

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. – Psalm 34:18 

This verse captures the paradox of tears: they emerge from pain but carry the healing potential. When we cry out in our weakness, we encounter the God who draws near, offering His comfort and strength. Tears are not just a reflection of our humanity but a bridge to divine grace.

Jesus Himself wept, demonstrating that even the Son of God was not immune to the vulnerability of tears. In the book of John, we find the shortest verse in the Bible:

 Jesus wept. John 11:35 

Though brief, these words speak volumes. In The Case for Christ, Lee Strobel notes, “that Jesus wept shows the depth of His compassion and the reality of His humanity.” Jesus’ tears at Lazarus’s tomb are a profound testament to His empathy and divine authority. They reveal that our pain matters to God – not in an abstract way, but in the deeply personal way that only a Savior who shares in our suffering could embody.

But tears are not only personal; they are also profoundly communal. The apostle Paul calls us to:

Weep with those who weep. —Romans 12:15

Here is a reminder that our shared humanity should compel us to bear one another’s burdens. Smith’s observation that “people who receive a supportive response, like a hug or validation of their feelings, tend to feel better” (New York Times, 2024) aligns with this call to compassion. When we kindly respond to another’s tears, we reflect God’s relational nature, fostering connection and healing.

Jesus modeled this beautifully in His interaction with Mary and Martha:

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… Jesus wept. – John 11:33–35

Here, Jesus’ tears are not just an acknowledgment of His love for Lazarus, but a response to the shared grief of the community around Him. He doesn’t rush to solve the problem or rebuke their sorrow; instead, He enters into their pain, sharing it fully. His response challenges us to offer comfort not as a solution, but as an act of presence and solidarity.

Tears are more than expressions of helplessness – they are invitations. They invite us to lean on God in our weakness, empathize with others in their sorrow, and reflect Christ’s compassionate heart. In a world often quick to dismiss tears as a sign of weakness, The Bible calls us to see them as sacred moments of connection with God and one another.

A Bridge to Grace and Connection

Tears reflect our pain and open a pathway to healing and restoration. They are moments of raw vulnerability that can transform sorrow into strength when directed toward God. The Psalms are filled with examples of David pouring out his anguish, finding solace in God’s unwavering presence:

I am weary with my moaning; every night, I flood my bed with tears; I drench my couch with my weeping… The Lord has heard my plea; the Lord accepts my prayer. – Psalm 6:6, 9 

David’s tears reveal a profound truth: crying out to God in our pain is an act of faith, acknowledging that He hears and cares for us even in our lowest moments. As Spurgeon beautifully wrote, “When our prayers are salted with tears, they are so much the more acceptable to God, who has a bottle and a book for the tears of His saints.” This imagery evokes Psalm 56:8, where David proclaims that God collects our tears in a bottle, reminding us that no sorrow escapes His notice.

Smith discusses how scientists have studied the mystery of emotional tears. She explains, “tears may also hold an evolutionary advantage over howls… alerting others nearby to someone’s distress without giving the person away to predators” (Smith, New York Times, 2024). While science offers explanations rooted in survival, Christians recognize tears as part of God’s intentional design. They are not merely biological phenomena, but a reflection of our Creator’s wisdom, allowing us to express vulnerability and foster connection.

Tears can also serve as bridges – between ourselves and God and one another. Crying often elicits empathy, as Smith notes: “people who receive a supportive response, like a hug or validation of their feelings, tend to feel better” (Smith, New York Times, 2024). This echoes the Christian call to weep with those who mourn in Romans 12:15, and to bear one another’s burdens as a reflection of Christlike love.

In The Problem of Pain, C.S. Lewis observed, “the tears of God are the meaning of history.” Through Christ’s tears, we see the heart of God breaking for a fallen world. Stroble wrote in The Case for Christ, “the fact that Jesus wept shows the depth of His compassion and the reality of His humanity.” Christ’s tears at Lazarus’s tomb were not merely a response to grief, but a declaration of His solidarity with our suffering and His determination to redeem it through His death and resurrection.

In this light, tears are far more than a response to pain; they are sacred. They allow us to confront our brokenness while opening the door to God’s restoration. They invite us to bear one another’s burdens and to glimpse the compassionate heart of God, who is always near to the brokenhearted.

The Hope Found in Our Tears

Tears are a gift from God, serving as a physical release and a spiritual act of faith. They remind us of our dependence on Him and point us to the hope of redemption. One day, in the new creation, God will wipe away every tear:

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away – Revelation 21:4 

Until that day, let us cry out to the Lord with confidence, knowing that our tears are precious to Him and that He is near the brokenhearted.

Join the Conversation

Tears are a universal experience, yet their meaning and significance often feel deeply personal. Have you ever had a moment when your tears led to healing or brought you closer to God? Or perhaps you’ve experienced the profound connection of sharing someone else’s sorrow. What do you think about God collecting our tears, as Psalm 56:8 suggests? 

The opinions expressed here are my own and do not reflect the views or positions of my employer.

I’m a dad who blogs about the intersections of life, faith, family, and technology. These are the threads that weave through my personal and spiritual walk.