11Soon afterward he went to a city called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went with him. [7:12] As he drew near to the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out — the only-born son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a considerable crowd from the city was with her. [7:13] When the Lord saw her, he was moved with deep compassion for her and said to her, "Do not weep." [7:14] And coming forward he touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, "Young man, I say to you — rise." [7:15] And the dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. [7:16] Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has arisen among us!" and "God has visited his people!" [7:17] And this account about him spread through all of Judea and all the surrounding region.
LUK 7:11-17
Jesus Raises a Widowʼs Son
In the world it was spoken into
In the 1st-century Mediterranean world, widows were among the most vulnerable members of society, lacking the protection and provision of a husband or adult son. The widow in Nain, mourning her (only-born) son, faced not only personal grief but also the loss of her sole means of economic and social security. The public procession with the (bier) was a customary display of communal mourning, emphasizing the tragedy of her situation. Jesus’ response, marked by (deep compassion), aligns with Jewish expectations of divine mercy toward the marginalized. His act of touching the bier, though potentially ritually defiling, underscores his authority over purity codes and death itself. The crowd’s reaction, declaring Jesus a ‘great prophet,’ reflects Jewish messianic hopes tied to Elijah and Elisha, who also raised the dead. This miracle would have been understood as a sign of God’s kingdom breaking into the present age, restoring life and dignity to the destitute.
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How other translations render this
LUK 7:11
- KJV
- And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people.
- BSB
- Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain. His disciples went with Him, accompanied by a large crowd.
- Koinōnos
- Soon afterward he went to a city called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went with him.
LUK 7:12
- KJV
- Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her.
- BSB
- As He approached the town gate, He saw a dead man being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her.
- Koinōnos
- As he drew near to the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out — the only-born son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a considerable crowd from the city was with her.
LUK 7:13
- KJV
- And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not.
- BSB
- When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said, “Do not weep.”
- Koinōnos
- When the Lord saw her, he was moved with deep compassion for her and said to her, "Do not weep.
LUK 7:14
- KJV
- And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.
- BSB
- Then He went up and touched the coffin, and those carrying it stood still. “Young man,” He said, “I tell you, get up!”
- Koinōnos
- And coming forward he touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, "Young man, I say to you — rise.
LUK 7:15
- KJV
- And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother.
- BSB
- And the dead man sat up and began to speak! Then Jesus gave him back to his mother.
- Koinōnos
- And the dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother.
LUK 7:16
- KJV
- And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people.
- BSB
- A sense of awe swept over all of them, and they glorified God. “A great prophet has appeared among us!” they said. “God has visited His people!”
- Koinōnos
- Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has arisen among us!" and "God has visited his people!
LUK 7:17
- KJV
- And this rumour of him went forth throughout all Judaea, and throughout all the region round about.
- BSB
- And the news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and all the surrounding region.
- Koinōnos
- And this account about him spread through all of Judea and all the surrounding region.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
LUK 7:12
- only begotten:The word translated 'only begotten' here emphasizes the unique and singular nature of the son, indicating he was the sole offspring, not merely the youngest or most favored.
- a widow;:In this context, a 'widow' was a particularly vulnerable member of society, often lacking financial support and social protection, making her situation especially precarious.
LUK 7:13
- was moved with compassion:The phrase 'was moved with compassion' describes a deep, visceral reaction, as if the emotion came from the very core of one's being, not just a superficial feeling of pity.
LUK 7:14
- bier;:The 'bier' mentioned here was an open stretcher or litter used to carry the deceased, making the public display of the body and the mother's grief very evident.