What does the Bible say about grief?

Scripture grieves honestly yet with hope: God is near the broken-hearted (Psalm 34:18), the mourning are comforted (Matthew 5:4), and death is undone for those in Christ (Revelation 21:4).

What is a good Bible verse for grief?

Revelation 21:4 ('God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes'), Psalm 34:18, and Matthew 5:4 are among the most comforting verses for grief.

Yes. At the tomb of His friend Lazarus, 'Jesus wept' (John 11:35), the shortest verse in the Bible. Isaiah 53:3 calls Him 'a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief.' He understands your sorrow from the inside.

How does God comfort the grieving?

He draws near to the broken-hearted (Psalm 34:18), He is 'the God of all comfort' who comforts us in all our tribulation (2 Corinthians 1:3-4), and He binds up wounds (Psalm 147:3).

Is it okay to be sad or angry when I grieve?

Yes. The Psalms pour out raw sorrow to God (Psalm 6:6, Psalm 42:3), and He welcomes it. You can cast the whole weight of it on Him, 'for he careth for you' (1 Peter 5:7).

What hope does the Bible give about death?

For those in Christ, death is not the end. Paul writes, 'sorrow not, even as others which have no hope' (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14), and one day God will end death itself, with 'no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying' (Revelation 21:4).

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Bible verses

Bible Verses About Grief

Scripture does not rush the grieving; it sits with them and points to a God near the brokenhearted who will one day wipe every tear away. Psalm 34:18, Matthew 5:4 and Revelation 21:4 are among the clearest verses about grief. Grief is not a lack of faith; even Jesus wept (John 11:35), and God gathers up every tear.

Bible verses about grief

“The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.”

Psalm 34:18 · King James Version (public domain)

“Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.”

Matthew 5:4 · King James Version (public domain)

“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain.”

Revelation 21:4 · King James Version (public domain)

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me.”

Psalm 23:4 · King James Version (public domain)

“He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.”

Psalm 147:3 · King James Version (public domain)

God is pictured as a gentle physician who tends the wounds of grief rather than demanding we simply move on.

“Jesus wept.”

John 11:35 · King James Version (public domain)

At the grave of a friend, God in the flesh wept; grief is not unspiritual, and our tears are shared by the Lord.

“Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;”

2 Corinthians 1:3 · King James Version (public domain)

The very titles God takes for Himself, Father of mercies and God of all comfort, tell us where the mourner can turn.

How these verses point to Christ

Grief is honest, and the Bible never scolds it. Jesus stood at a tomb and wept, and He was Himself a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. He did not stay outside our loss; He entered it, dying and rising, so that He could promise a day when God wipes away every tear. Until then He does not offer forced cheer but nearness, comforting the broken-hearted as one who has carried sorrow Himself.

Read these verses in full

Each of these has its own page with the whole verse, what it means, and how it points to Christ.

You do not have to carry this alone

On The Living Bread you can read these passages in full, ask Simon what they mean, hear how Christ has met others in the same place, and pray them with a community that will pray for you by name. You are welcome exactly as you are.

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Questions people ask about grief

What does the Bible say about grief?: Scripture grieves honestly yet with hope: God is near the broken-hearted (Psalm 34:18), the mourning are comforted (Matthew 5:4), and death is undone for those in Christ (Revelation 21:4).
What is a good Bible verse for grief?: Revelation 21:4 ('God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes'), Psalm 34:18, and Matthew 5:4 are among the most comforting verses for grief.
Did Jesus grieve?: Yes. At the tomb of His friend Lazarus, 'Jesus wept' (John 11:35), the shortest verse in the Bible. Isaiah 53:3 calls Him 'a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief.' He understands your sorrow from the inside.
How does God comfort the grieving?: He draws near to the broken-hearted (Psalm 34:18), He is 'the God of all comfort' who comforts us in all our tribulation (2 Corinthians 1:3-4), and He binds up wounds (Psalm 147:3).
Is it okay to be sad or angry when I grieve?: Yes. The Psalms pour out raw sorrow to God (Psalm 6:6, Psalm 42:3), and He welcomes it. You can cast the whole weight of it on Him, 'for he careth for you' (1 Peter 5:7).
What hope does the Bible give about death?: For those in Christ, death is not the end. Paul writes, 'sorrow not, even as others which have no hope' (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14), and one day God will end death itself, with 'no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying' (Revelation 21:4).

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