Vincent's Word Studies in the NT

John 16:20

Weep - lament - be sorrowful [κ λ α υ σ ε τ ε - θ ρ η ν η σ ε τ ε - λ υ π η θ η σ ε σ θ ε]. Of these three words, the last is the most general in meaning, expressing every species of pain, of body or of soul, and not necessarily the outward manifestation of sorrow. Both the other words denote audible expressions of grief. Qrhnew marks the more formal expression. It means to utter a dirge over the dead. Thus Homer, of the mourning over Hector in Troy :

"On a fair couch they laid the corse, and placed Singers beside it leaders of the dirge [θ ρ η ν ω ν], Who sang [ε θ ρ η ν ε ο ν] a sorrowful, lamenting strain, And all the women answered it with sobs."

"Iliad," 24 720 - 722.

The verb occurs Matthew 11:17; Luke 7:32; Luke 23:27. Klaiw means audible weeping, the crying of children, as distinguished from dakruw, to shed tears, to weep silently, which occurs but once in the New Testament, of Jesus ' weeping (John 11:35). See on Luke 7:32.

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Vincent's Word Studies in the NT

John 16:20

Old Testament

New Testament