Topical Bible: Burial: Attended by Relatives and Friends: The Son of the Widow of Nain

◄ Burial: Attended by Relatives and Friends: The Son of the Widow of Nain ►

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The burial of the son of the widow of Nain is a poignant event recorded in the Gospel of Luke, illustrating the customs and communal aspects of burial practices in ancient Jewish society. This account is found in Luke 7:11-17, where Jesus performs a miraculous resurrection, highlighting His compassion and divine authority over life and death.

Context and Setting

The event takes place in the town of Nain, a small village in Galilee. As Jesus approaches the town, He encounters a funeral procession. The deceased is the only son of a widow, a situation that would have been particularly dire in the cultural context of the time. Widows often relied on their sons for financial support and social standing, and the loss of her only son would have left the widow in a vulnerable position.

Funeral Procession

The funeral procession is described as being attended by a considerable crowd from the town, indicating the communal nature of burial practices. In Jewish tradition, it was customary for relatives, friends, and community members to accompany the deceased to the burial site, offering support and mourning alongside the bereaved family. This public display of mourning underscores the collective responsibility and empathy within the community.

Jesus' Intervention

As the procession moves toward the burial site, Jesus is moved with compassion upon seeing the widow's plight. Luke 7:13 states, "When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said, 'Do not weep.'" Jesus then approaches the bier, an open coffin or stretcher used to carry the body, and touches it. This act is significant, as touching the bier would have rendered Jesus ceremonially unclean according to Jewish law, yet it demonstrates His willingness to transcend social and religious boundaries to bring life and hope.

The Miracle

Jesus commands the young man, "Young man, I say to you, get up!" (Luke 7:14). The dead man sits up and begins to speak, and Jesus gives him back to his mother. This miraculous event not only restores the son to life but also restores the widow's social and economic security. The crowd, witnessing this miracle, is filled with awe and glorifies God, acknowledging Jesus as a great prophet and recognizing God's visitation among His people.

Cultural and Theological Implications

The account of the son of the widow of Nain provides insight into the burial customs of the time, emphasizing the role of community in mourning and support. It also highlights the deep compassion of Jesus and His power over death, serving as a foretaste of the resurrection hope offered to all believers. This narrative reinforces the belief in Jesus as the source of life and the embodiment of divine mercy and grace.

References

· Luke 7:11-17

Nave's Topical Index

Luke 7:12,13
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.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

C. The Third Period. Chs. 6:12 to 8:56
... wending its way out to the place of burial. ... about Galilee preaching the gospel, they
were attended by a ... The real purpose of these relatives was to interrupt ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/c the third period chs.htm