Luke 7:12
New International Version
As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out—the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her.

New Living Translation
A funeral procession was coming out as he approached the village gate. The young man who had died was a widow’s only son, and a large crowd from the village was with her.

English Standard Version
As he drew near to the gate of the town, behold, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow, and a considerable crowd from the town was with her.

Berean Standard Bible
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.

Berean Literal Bible
And as He drew near to the gate of the town, also behold, one having died was being carried out, the only begotten son of his mother; and she was a widow. And a considerable crowd of the town was with her.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the city was with her.

New American Standard Bible
Now as He approached the gate of the city, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow; and a sizeable crowd from the city was with her.

NASB 1995
Now as He approached the gate of the city, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow; and a sizeable crowd from the city was with her.

NASB 1977
Now as He approached the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow; and a sizeable crowd from the city was with her.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now as He approached the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a sizeable crowd from the city was with her.

Amplified Bible
Now as He approached the city gate, a dead man was being carried out—the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the city was with her [in the funeral procession].

Christian Standard Bible
Just as he neared the gate of the town, a dead man was being carried out. He was his mother’s only son, and she was a widow. A large crowd from the city was also with her.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Just as He neared the gate of the town, a dead man was being carried out. He was his mother’s only son, and she was a widow. A large crowd from the city was also with her.

American Standard Version
Now when he drew near to the gate of the city, behold, there was carried out one that was dead, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her.

Contemporary English Version
As they came near the gate of the town, they saw people carrying out the body of a widow's only son. Many people from the town were walking along with her.

English Revised Version
Now when he drew near to the gate of the city, behold, there was carried out one that was dead, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
As he came near the entrance to the city, he met a funeral procession. The dead man was a widow's only child. A large crowd from the city was with her.

Good News Translation
Just as he arrived at the gate of the town, a funeral procession was coming out. The dead man was the only son of a woman who was a widow, and a large crowd from the town was with her.

International Standard Version
As he approached the entrance to the city, a man who had died was being carried out. He was his mother's only son, and she was a widow. A large crowd from the city was with her.

Majority Standard Bible
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.

NET Bible
As he approached the town gate, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother (who was a widow), and a large crowd from the town was with her.

New Heart English Bible
And when he drew near to the gate of the city, then look, a man who was dead was carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow; and a large crowd from the city was with her.

Webster's Bible Translation
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 many people of the city were with her.

Weymouth New Testament
And just as He reached the gate of the town, they happened to be bringing out for burial a dead man who was his mother's only son; and she was a widow; and a great number of the townspeople were with her.

World English Bible
Now when he came near to the gate of the city, behold, one who was dead was carried out, the only born son of his mother, and she was a widow. Many people of the city were with her.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and as He came near to the gate of the city, then, behold, one dead was being carried forth, an only son of his mother, and she a widow, and a great multitude of the city was with her.

Berean Literal Bible
And as He drew near to the gate of the town, also behold, one having died was being carried out, the only begotten son of his mother; and she was a widow. And a considerable crowd of the town was with her.

Young's Literal Translation
and as he came nigh to the gate of the city, then, lo, one dead was being carried forth, an only son of his mother, and she a widow, and a great multitude of the city was with her.

Smith's Literal Translation
And as he drew near to the gate of the city, behold, he dead was carried out, the only son of his mother, and she a widow; and a sufficient crowd of the city was with her.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold a dead man was carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow: and a great multitude of the city was with her.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then, when he had drawn near to the gate of the city, behold, a deceased person was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the city was with her.

New American Bible
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.

New Revised Standard Version
As he approached the gate of the town, a man who had died was being carried out. He was his mother’s only son, and she was a widow; and with her was a large crowd from the town.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And when they came near the gate of the city, he saw a dead man being carried out, who was the only son of his mother, and his mother was a widow; and many people of the city were with her.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And when he approached the gate of the city, he saw as a dead man was being escorted who had been the only son of his mother, and his mother was a widow, and many of the people of the city had assembled with her.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And when he came near the gate of tho city, behold, they were carrying out a dead man, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow; and a great multitude from the city was with her.

Godbey New Testament
And when He drew nigh unto the gate of the city, behold, a dead man, an only born son to his mother, and she a widow, was indeed being carried out: and a great multitude of the city was along with her.

Haweis New Testament
And as he drew near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was carrying out, an only son to his mother, and she a widow; and a great concourse of the city was with her.

Mace New Testament
as he drew near the gate of the city, there was a dead man just then carrying out to be buried, who was his mother's only son, and she a widow: and many people of the town came with her.

Weymouth New Testament
And just as He reached the gate of the town, they happened to be bringing out for burial a dead man who was his mother's only son; and she was a widow; and a great number of the townspeople were with her.

Worrell New Testament
And, as He came near to the gate of the city, behold, also there was being carried out one dead, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow; and a large crowd of the city was with her.

Worsley New Testament
and as He came near to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carrying out to be buried, his mother's only son, and she was a widow: and many of the people of the city were with her.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jesus Raises a Widow's Son
11Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain. His disciples went with Him, accompanied by a large crowd. 12 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. 13When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said, “Do not weep.”…

Cross References
1 Kings 17:17-24
Later, the son of the woman who owned the house became ill, and his sickness grew worse and worse, until no breath remained in him. / “O man of God,” said the woman to Elijah, “what have you done to me? Have you come to remind me of my iniquity and cause the death of my son?” / But Elijah said to her, “Give me your son.” So he took him from her arms, carried him to the upper room where he was staying, and laid him on his own bed. ...

2 Kings 4:32-37
When Elisha reached the house, there was the boy lying dead on his bed. / So he went in, closed the door behind the two of them, and prayed to the LORD. / Then Elisha got on the bed and lay on the boy, mouth to mouth, eye to eye, and hand to hand. As he stretched himself out over him, the boy’s body became warm. ...

John 11:32-44
When Mary came to Jesus and saw Him, she fell at His feet and said, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” / When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. / “Where have you put him?” He asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they answered. ...

Acts 9:36-41
In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which is translated as Dorcas), who was always occupied with works of kindness and charity. / At that time, however, she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upper room. / Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to urge him, “Come to us without delay.” ...

Matthew 9:18-26
While Jesus was saying these things, a synagogue leader came and knelt before Him. “My daughter has just died,” he said. “But come and place Your hand on her, and she will live.” / So Jesus got up and went with him, along with His disciples. / Suddenly a woman who had suffered from bleeding for twelve years came up behind Him and touched the fringe of His cloak. ...

Mark 5:21-43
When Jesus had again crossed by boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered around Him beside the sea. / A synagogue leader named Jairus arrived, and seeing Jesus, he fell at His feet / and pleaded with Him urgently, “My little daughter is near death. Please come and place Your hands on her, so that she will be healed and live.” ...

Luke 8:49-56
While He was still speaking, someone arrived from the house of the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” he told Jairus. “Do not bother the Teacher anymore.” / But Jesus overheard them and said to Jairus, “Do not be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.” / When He entered the house, He did not allow anyone to go in with Him except Peter, John, James, and the child’s father and mother. ...

John 5:25
Truly, truly, I tell you, the hour is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.

1 Samuel 2:6
The LORD brings death and gives life; He brings down to Sheol and raises up.

Job 14:14-15
When a man dies, will he live again? All the days of my hard service I will wait, until my renewal comes. / You will call, and I will answer; You will desire the work of Your hands.

Isaiah 26:19
Your dead will live; their bodies will rise. Awake and sing, you who dwell in the dust! For your dew is like the dew of the morning, and the earth will bring forth her dead.

Ezekiel 37:12-14
Therefore prophesy and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘O My people, I will open your graves and bring you up from them, and I will bring you back to the land of Israel. / Then you, My people, will know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. / I will put My Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I, the LORD, have spoken, and I will do it, declares the LORD.’”

Daniel 12:2
And many who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life, but others to shame and everlasting contempt.

Hosea 13:14
I will ransom them from the power of Sheol; I will redeem them from Death. Where, O Death, are your plagues? Where, O Sheol, is your sting? Compassion is hidden from My eyes.

Matthew 11:5
The blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.


Treasury of Scripture

Now when he came near 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.

the only.

Luke 8:42
For he had one only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she lay a dying. But as he went the people thronged him.

Genesis 22:2,12
And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of…

2 Samuel 14:7
And, behold, the whole family is risen against thine handmaid, and they said, Deliver him that smote his brother, that we may kill him, for the life of his brother whom he slew; and we will destroy the heir also: and so they shall quench my coal which is left, and shall not leave to my husband neither name nor remainder upon the earth.

a widow.

Job 29:13
The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me: and I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy.

Acts 9:39,41
Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them…

1 Timothy 5:4,5
But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God…

and much.

Luke 8:52
And all wept, and bewailed her: but he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth.

John 11:19
And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.

Jump to Previous
Afterwards Attended Carried City Considerable Crowd Dead Died Disciples Door Drew Forth Gate Great Large Mother Multitude Nain Nigh Shortly Widow
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Afterwards Attended Carried City Considerable Crowd Dead Died Disciples Door Drew Forth Gate Great Large Mother Multitude Nain Nigh Shortly Widow
Luke 7
1. Jesus finds a greater faith in the centurion;
10. heals his servant, being absent;
11. raises from death the widow's son at Nain;
18. answers John's messengers with the declaration of his miracles;
24. testifies to the people what opinion he held of John;
31. compares this generation to the children in the marketplaces,
36. and allowing his feet to be washed and anointed by a woman who was a sinner,
44. he shows how he is a friend to sinners, to forgive them their sins, upon their repentance.














As He approached the gate of the town
This phrase sets the scene for the miraculous event that is about to unfold. The "gate of the town" was a significant location in ancient cities, often serving as a place of gathering, commerce, and legal matters. In the context of Luke 7:12, it symbolizes a threshold between life and death, as Jesus is about to encounter a funeral procession. The Greek word for "gate" (πύλη, pylē) can also imply an entryway to new beginnings, foreshadowing the life-giving miracle Jesus is about to perform.

a dead man was being carried out
This phrase introduces the central figure of the narrative, a "dead man." In Jewish culture, the dead were typically buried outside the city to maintain ceremonial cleanliness. The act of "being carried out" indicates a funeral procession, a moment of deep sorrow and communal mourning. The Greek word for "dead" (νεκρός, nekros) emphasizes the finality of death, setting the stage for the extraordinary power of Jesus over life and death.

the only son of his mother
This phrase highlights the depth of the tragedy. The "only son" (μονογενής, monogenēs) signifies not just the loss of a child but the loss of the mother's future security and lineage. In ancient Jewish society, sons were responsible for the care of their widowed mothers. This detail underscores the mother's vulnerability and the magnitude of her loss, making the miracle that follows even more poignant.

and she was a widow
The mention of the mother being "a widow" adds another layer of desperation to the situation. Widows in biblical times were often left without financial support or social standing, relying heavily on their children for survival. The Greek word for "widow" (χήρα, chēra) conveys a sense of isolation and helplessness, highlighting the compassion of Jesus as He intervenes in her dire circumstances.

And a large crowd from the town was with her
This phrase indicates the communal nature of the mourning process. The "large crowd" (ὄχλος, ochlos) reflects the shared grief and support of the community, as well as the public nature of the miracle that is about to occur. The presence of many witnesses serves to authenticate the miracle and spread the news of Jesus' divine authority and compassion throughout the region.

(12) The only son of his mother, and she was a widow.--The two facts are obviously stated as enhancing the bitterness of the mother's sorrow. The one prop of her life, the hope of her widowhood, had been taken from her. The burial, as was the invariable practice in the East, took place outside the city.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
As
ὡς (hōs)
Adverb
Strong's 5613: Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner.

He approached
ἤγγισεν (ēngisen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1448: Trans: I bring near; intrans: I come near, approach. From eggus; to make near, i.e. approach.

the
τῇ (tē)
Article - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

town
πόλεως (poleōs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 4172: A city, the inhabitants of a city. Probably from the same as polemos, or perhaps from polus; a town.

gate,
πύλῃ (pylē)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4439: A gate. Apparently a primary word; a gate, i.e. The leaf or wing of a folding entrance.

He saw
ἰδοὺ (idou)
Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 2400: See! Lo! Behold! Look! Second person singular imperative middle voice of eido; used as imperative lo!

a dead man
τεθνηκὼς (tethnēkōs)
Verb - Perfect Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2348: To die, be dying, be dead. A strengthened form of a simpler primary thano than'-o; to die.

being carried out,
ἐξεκομίζετο (exekomizeto)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1580: To carry out (of the city gate for burial). From ek and komizo; to bear forth.

the only
μονογενὴς (monogenēs)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3439: Only, only-begotten; unique. From monos and ginomai; only-born, i.e. Sole.

son
υἱὸς (huios)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5207: A son, descendent. Apparently a primary word; a 'son', used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship.

of
τῇ (tē)
Article - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

his
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

mother,
μητρὶ (mētri)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3384: A mother. Apparently a primary word; a 'mother'.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

she
αὐτὴ (autē)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative Feminine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

was
ἦν (ēn)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

a widow.
χήρα (chēra)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5503: Feminine of a presumed derivative apparently from the base of chasma through the idea of deficiency; a widow, literally or figuratively.

And
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

a sizeable
ἱκανὸς (hikanos)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2425: From hiko; competent, i.e. Ample or fit.

crowd
ὄχλος (ochlos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3793: From a derivative of echo; a throng; by implication, the rabble; by extension, a class of people; figuratively, a riot.

from the
τῆς (tēs)
Article - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

town
πόλεως (poleōs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 4172: A city, the inhabitants of a city. Probably from the same as polemos, or perhaps from polus; a town.

was
ἦν (ēn)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

with
σὺν (syn)
Preposition
Strong's 4862: With. A primary preposition denoting union; with or together.

her.
αὐτῇ (autē)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Feminine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.


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NT Gospels: Luke 7:12 Now when he drew near to (Luke Lu Lk)
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