Luke 7:11-17
A Son Raised at Nain
Read the passage
11Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain. His disciples went with Him, accompanied by a large crowd.
12As 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.
13When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said, “Do not weep.”
14Then He went up and touched the coffin, and those carrying it stood still. “Young man,” He said, “I tell you, get up!”
15And the dead man sat up and began to speak! Then Jesus gave him back to his mother.
16A 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!”
17And the news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and all the surrounding region.
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
Jesus goes to a town called Nain, accompanied by His disciples and a large crowd. As He approaches the town gate, a dead man is being carried out. He is the only son of his mother, and she is a widow. A second crowd walks with her in grief.
When the Lord sees her, He has compassion and tells her not to weep. He touches the coffin, and those carrying it stand still. Jesus commands the young man to arise.
The dead man sits up and begins to speak. Jesus gives him to his mother. Fear seizes everyone, and they glorify God, saying that a great prophet has arisen and that God has visited His people.
News about Jesus spreads through Judea and the surrounding country. Jesus has come toward this mother before she has asked him for anything. His command reaches a young man who cannot respond until he gives him life. Compassion and power meet at the town gate: the Lord who sees her sorrow also has authority over the death that caused it.
Questions
1 Who is being carried out of Nain?
AnswerA dead young man, the only son of his widowed mother, is being carried out through the town gate for burial.
2 What moves Jesus to act?
AnswerHe sees the widow and has compassion on her. The passage emphasizes His attention to her grief before describing the miracle.
3 What happens when Jesus commands the young man to arise?
AnswerThe young man sits up and speaks, and Jesus gives him back to his mother.
4 How should we hold this miracle alongside present grief?
AnswerReceive it as a sign of Jesus' life-giving authority without promising that every funeral will be reversed. Let compassion lead us toward grieving families.
What This Means for Us
Jesus does not wait for the widow to make a speech or prove her faith. He notices loss and moves toward it. A household shaped by Him should notice who is grieving and offer presence before advice.
This account points to God's power over death, but it does not make death or mourning small. We can hope in resurrection while weeping with people whose loss is real now.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, have compassion on those who mourn. Make our household willing to draw near to grief, patient with tears, and confident that Your life-giving power will finally overcome death. Amen.