The Resurrection of the Widow's Son at Nain

Context & Setting

• Main Biblical Reference: Luke 7:11–17
• Location: Nain (a town in Galilee), at the town gate
• The Need: A widow’s only son has died, and his body is being carried out for burial—an irreversible human loss and a crisis of death and bereavement.

⚡ The Miraculous Act

The Encounter:
Jesus goes to Nain with His disciples, and a large crowd accompanies Him. As He draws near the gate of the town, He meets a funeral procession carrying out a dead man—the only son of a widow—with a sizeable crowd from the town.

The Divine Intervention:
Seeing the widow, the Lord has compassion on her and says, “Do not weep.” He then touches the bier (the platform on which the body is carried), and the bearers stop. Jesus speaks directly with commanding authority: “Young man, I say to you, arise.”

The Immediate Result:
The dead man sits up and begins to speak, and Jesus gives him to his mother. Fear seizes the people, and they glorify God, saying, “A great prophet has arisen among us!” and “God has visited his people!” The report about Jesus spreads through Judea and the surrounding region.

What This Miracle Reveals About Jesus

This resurrection openly displays Jesus’ divine authority over death. With a word, He reverses what no human power can undo, showing that His mission includes God’s saving visitation to His people. The crowd’s response—fear, glorifying God, and recognizing God’s visitation—presents the miracle as a sign pointing to who Jesus is and the nearness of God’s kingdom.

Historical & Cultural Insight

In first-century Jewish life, a widow without a husband or son was especially vulnerable. By restoring the widow’s only son, Jesus not only conquers death but also restores her family security and social standing—an act of mercy that is both personal and publicly visible at the town gate.

Key Memory Verse

“And he said, ‘Young man, I say to you, arise.’” — Luke 7:14