Soon afterward he journeyed to a city called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd accompanied him. 12 As he drew near to the gate of the city, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. A large crowd from the city was with her. 13 When the Lord saw her, he was moved with pity for her and said to her, “Do not weep.” 14 He stepped forward and touched the coffin; at this the bearers halted, and he said, “Young man, I tell you, arise!” 15 The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. 16 Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, exclaiming, “A great prophet has arisen in our midst,” and “God has visited his people.” 17 This report about him spread through the whole of Judea and in all the surrounding region.
In this passage, we encounter one of the most striking demonstrations of Jesus’ compassion and divine power. He arrives at Nain to find a scene of deep grief: a young man is being carried out for burial, and his mother, a widow, is present. The text emphasizes that the dead man was the only son of this widow, which heightens the tragedy.
In first-century Jewish society, widows were among the most vulnerable. Without a husband, a widow depended on her sons for protection, support, and provision. Losing her only son meant not only profound personal grief but also social and economic insecurity. The community recognized the weight of her loss, which is why a large crowd accompanies her. Jesus’ encounter, therefore, is not just about restoring life to a young man; it is about bringing hope and survival to someone who had no other means of security or protection. The miracle addresses both human and social vulnerability, revealing God’s care for the most defenseless—a concern that runs throughout the Old Testament, where God repeatedly commands the people to protect widows, orphans, and the poor (Ex. 22:22; Deut. 10:18; Ps. 68:5-6).
Jesus’ reaction is immediate and tender. He is “moved with pity” (from the Greek splagchnizomai, often translated as “compassion” or “tender inner emotions”). This term indicates a deep, visceral response that calls him to action. He tells the mother not to weep, then steps forward and touches the coffin—a bold act that would normally render one ritually unclean under Jewish law. Jesus’ touch signals that mercy and life take precedence over ritual boundaries.
His command, “Young man, I tell you, arise!” brings immediate effect. The dead man sits up, speaks, and is returned to his mother. The miracle evokes both fear and awe in the crowd, prompting them to glorify God and recognize that Jesus is a great prophet and that God has truly visited his people. Luke emphasizes both the human compassion and the divine authority of Jesus: he responds to sorrow with mercy, restores life, and reveals God’s active presence in the world.
Modern commentaries highlight that this miracle foreshadows Christ’s ultimate power over death in his own resurrection and in the resurrection he promises to all who believe (Orchard, 1953; Paulist Biblical Commentary, 2018). For the mother, the miracle is profoundly personal: it restores her son, secures her social and economic stability, and renews hope in a moment of despair. For all who witness it, it reveals the reach of God’s kingdom, where sorrow is met with mercy, death is met with life, and God’s care extends to the vulnerable and marginalized.
This passage invites us to recognize Christ’s presence in our own grief and the grief of those around us. Jesus meets suffering personally, compassionately, and with power. Wherever there is sorrow, helplessness, or fear, his mercy offers hope, renewal, and life beyond what we can accomplish on our own.
Lord Jesus, you saw the widow’s pain and raised her son from death. Open our hearts to your mercy, give us trust in your care, and help us to bring hope to those who are suffering. May we learn to turn to you in sorrow and to be instruments of your compassion in the lives of others. Amen.
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Sources and References:
- The Holy Bible, New American Bible, Revised Edition (2011).
- Orchard, Bernard, et al., eds. A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture. 1953.
- Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al., eds. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
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