Dead (People): The Widow's Son
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The account of the widow's son being raised from the dead is a significant event recorded in the New Testament, specifically in the Gospel of Luke. This miracle is one of the instances where Jesus Christ demonstrates His divine authority over life and death, offering a profound revelation of His compassion and power.

Biblical Account:

The story is found in Luke 7:11-17. Jesus, accompanied by His disciples and a large crowd, approaches the town of Nain. As He nears the town gate, He encounters a funeral procession. The deceased is the only son of a widow, a situation that would have left the woman in a precarious social and economic position, given the cultural context of the time.

"When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said, 'Do not weep.' Then He went up and touched the coffin, and those carrying it stood still. 'Young man,' He said, 'I tell you, get up!' And the dead man sat up and began to speak! Then Jesus gave him back to his mother" (Luke 7:13-15).

Theological Significance:

This miracle is rich in theological meaning. First, it underscores Jesus' compassion. His response to the widow's plight is immediate and empathetic, reflecting the heart of God towards human suffering. The act of raising the widow's son is not merely a display of power but a profound expression of divine love and mercy.

Second, the miracle serves as a testament to Jesus' authority over death. By commanding the young man to rise, Jesus demonstrates that He holds dominion over life and death, affirming His identity as the Son of God. This event foreshadows His own resurrection and the promise of eternal life for believers.

Cultural and Social Context:

In the ancient Jewish context, the death of an only son would have been devastating, not only emotionally but also economically. Widows relied heavily on their sons for support and protection. Thus, the restoration of the widow's son is also a restoration of her hope and security.

Response of the People:

The reaction of the crowd is one of awe and reverence. "Fear gripped them all, and they began to glorify God, saying, 'A great prophet has appeared among us!' and 'God has visited His people!'" (Luke 7:16). This acknowledgment highlights the recognition of Jesus as a prophet and a divine agent, though His true identity as the Messiah would be fully revealed later.

Conclusion:

The raising of the widow's son at Nain is a powerful narrative that encapsulates the essence of Jesus' earthly ministry—His compassion for the suffering, His authority over death, and His role as the bringer of hope and salvation. This miracle not only provided immediate relief to a grieving mother but also pointed to the greater reality of Jesus' mission to conquer death and offer eternal life to all who believe in Him.
Nave's Topical Index
Luke 7:12-15
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

Jesus Raises the Widow's Son.
... 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 ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xliv jesus raises the widows.htm

Giving Life to a Widow's Son
... Just as Jesus came to the gate of the town, he saw one who was dead being carried
out. He was the only son of his mother who was a widow. Many people of the ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/giving life to a widows.htm

Raising the Widow's Son.
... 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 ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his life/raising the widows son.htm

Raising of Jairus's Daughter. --And of the Widow's Son at Nain.
... said he to them; "she is not dead, but sleepeth ... circumstances, especially in view
of the dispositions of the people. ... and in the sad line a widow, mourning for ...
/.../section 134 raising of jairuss.htm

Concerning the Centurion's Faith the Raising of the Widow's Son. ...
... He raised also the widow's son from death ... He, of course, whose people they were,
and from whom had come ... of His glory in this raising of the dead, undoubtedly He ...
/.../chapter xviii concerning the centurions faith.htm

The Evil one Said, "I Fear Him, Even Jesus, Lest He Destroy My ...
... The people used to hear that God is one; they ... Elisha brought the dead to life, and
conquered death in the upper chamber, and brought to life the widow's son. ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn xli the evil one.htm

Synopsis. --Arbitrary Criticism of the Biblical Narratives of the ...
... saying the same at the bier of the widow's son,[20] is ... needful for us in the case
of the "dead" than in ... wrought as the Great Physician of his people, and may ...
/.../miracles and supernatural religion/iii synopsis arbitrary criticism of the.htm

The Little Chamber on the Wall.
... "I dwell among mine own people.". ... to the Shun-amite's house he went into his little
room where the dead child lay ... [Illustration: Elijah raises the widow's son]. ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xxviii the little chamber.htm

The Raising of the Young Man of Nain - the Meeting of Life and ...
... its people pass Him to carry one dead to the ... miracle, and the fact that much people,'
or rather a ... on that spring afternoon, they were carrying the widow's son. ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xx the raising of.htm

Demonstration viii. --Of the Resurrection of the Dead.
... known his tomb, the children of his people might go ... first Coming raised up three
that were dead, that the ... For when He raised up the widow's son, He called him ...
/.../aphrahat select demonstrations/demonstration viii of the resurrection of.htm

Resources
Is Jesus dead? | GotQuestions.org

How many people were raised from the dead in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What are the Dead Sea Scrolls and why are they important? | GotQuestions.org

Dead: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Dead

Dead (People): Anointing

Dead (People): Burnings of Incense Made For

Dead (People): Dorcas

Dead (People): Eutychus

Dead (People): Jairus' Daughter

Dead (People): Lazarus

Dead (People): Prepared for Burial by Washing

Dead (People): Raised to Life, (See

Dead (People): The Shunammite Woman's Son

Dead (People): The Son of the Widow of Zarephath

Dead (People): The Widow's Son

Dead (People): The Young Man Laid in Elisha's Grave

Dead (People): Unclassified Scriptures Relating To

Dead (People): Wrapping in Linen

Dead Beat Dads

Dead Body

Dead Sea

Dead Sea: Called Salt Sea

Dead Sea: East Sea

Dead Sea: Former Sea

Dead Sea: Prophecy Concerning

Dead Sea: Sea of the Plain

The Dead in a House Rendered It Unclean

The Dead were Washed and Laid Out

The Dead were Wrapped in Lined With Spices

The Dead: A Priest not to Mourn For, Except when Near of Kin

The Dead: A State of Deep Affliction

The Dead: All offerings To, Forbidden

The Dead: Characterised by Absence of all Human Passions

The Dead: Characterised by Being Incapable of Motion

The Dead: Characterised by Being Without the Spirit

The Dead: Characterised by Ignorance of all Human Affairs

The Dead: Characterised by Inability to Glorify God

The Dead: Diviners

The Dead: Even Bones of, Caused Uncleanness

The Dead: Eyes of, Closed by Nearest of Kin

The Dead: Faith Without Works

The Dead: Freedom from the Law

The Dead: Freedom from the Power of Sin

The Dead: Heathenish Expressions of Grief For, Forbidden

The Dead: High Priest in No Case to Mourn For

The Dead: Idolaters: Consecrated Part of Their Crops To

The Dead: Idolaters: Invoked and Consulted

The Dead: Idolaters: Offered Sacrifices For

The Dead: Idolaters: Tore Themselves For

The Dead: Impotence

The Dead: Instances of, Restored by Christ

The Dead: Instances of, Restored to Life Before Christ

The Dead: Man's State by Nature

The Dead: Mourning For, often by Hired Mourners

The Dead: Mourning For, often with Plaintive Music

The Dead: Mourning For, often: Lasted Many Days

The Dead: Mourning For, often: Loud and Clamorous

The Dead: Mourning For, often: Testified by Change of Apparel

The Dead: Mourning For, often: Testified by Covering the Head

The Dead: Mourning For, often: Testified by Taring the Hair

The Dead: Mourning For, often: Testified by Tearing the Garments

The Dead: Mourning For, often: Very Great

The Dead: Nazarites not to Touch or Mourn For

The Dead: Regard often Shown to the Memory of

The Dead: Return not to This Life

The Dead: Terms Used to Express: Carcases

The Dead: Terms Used to Express: Corpses

The Dead: Terms Used to Express: Deceased

The Dead: Terms Used to Express: Those Who are Not

The Dead: The Jews Looked for a Resurrection From

The Dead: They Who Have Departed This Life

The Dead: Those Defiled By, Removed from the Camp

The Dead: Too Soon Forgotten

The Dead: Touching of, Caused Uncleanness

The Dead: Uncleanness Contracted From, Removed by the Water Separation

Related Terms

Corpses (16 Occurrences)

Half-dead (1 Occurrence)

Siddim (3 Occurrences)

Shades (29 Occurrences)

Zoar (12 Occurrences)

Cities (427 Occurrences)

Corpse (18 Occurrences)

Ciccar

Carcase (38 Occurrences)

Carcass (30 Occurrences)

Carcasses (30 Occurrences)

Sodom (49 Occurrences)

Apostles'

Vale (20 Occurrences)

Alive (166 Occurrences)

Quit (12 Occurrences)

Arabah (32 Occurrences)

Charm (5 Occurrences)

Sleep (136 Occurrences)

Quick (49 Occurrences)

Considered (80 Occurrences)

Cremation

Champaign (1 Occurrence)

Cuttings (5 Occurrences)

Apocyphra

Announce (56 Occurrences)

Apples (11 Occurrences)

Abaddon (7 Occurrences)

Salt (45 Occurrences)

Asleep (50 Occurrences)

Allow (86 Occurrences)

Sela (5 Occurrences)

Stoned (38 Occurrences)

Aren't (102 Occurrences)

Sepulcher (48 Occurrences)

Sleeping (69 Occurrences)

Sepulchre (57 Occurrences)

Hell (53 Occurrences)

Already (171 Occurrences)

Amnon (23 Occurrences)

Yielded (28 Occurrences)

Quicken (16 Occurrences)

Quickened (9 Occurrences)

Contact (4 Occurrences)

Clearly (67 Occurrences)

Cuts (20 Occurrences)

Abyss (11 Occurrences)

Another's (28 Occurrences)

Arnon (23 Occurrences)

Stench (12 Occurrences)

Sepulchers (15 Occurrences)

Shaking (162 Occurrences)

Sleepeth (13 Occurrences)

Slime (6 Occurrences)

Sepulchres (17 Occurrences)

Surprised (46 Occurrences)

Sore (156 Occurrences)

State (51 Occurrences)

Violently (92 Occurrences)

Suffer (195 Occurrences)

Charged (109 Occurrences)

Ceremonially (38 Occurrences)

Cleansing (37 Occurrences)

Sheol (64 Occurrences)

Canaan (102 Occurrences)

Changed (177 Occurrences)

Vine-garden (43 Occurrences)

Quietly (30 Occurrences)

Celebrate (66 Occurrences)

Speaketh (367 Occurrences)

Slept (74 Occurrences)

Cleansed (76 Occurrences)

Conduct (93 Occurrences)

Stead (117 Occurrences)

Spake (704 Occurrences)

Awake (83 Occurrences)

Sell (58 Occurrences)

Speaking (376 Occurrences)

Dead (People): The Son of the Widow of Zarephath
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