Luke 7:14

And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare [him] stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.

And {G2532} he came {G4334} and touched {G680} the bier {G4673}: and {G1161} they that bare {G941} him stood still {G2476}. And {G2532} he said {G2036}, Young man {G3495}, I say {G3004} unto thee {G4671}, Arise {G1453}.

Then he came close and touched the coffin, and the pallbearers halted. He said, "Young man, I say to you: get up!"

Then He went up and touched the coffin, and those carrying it stood still. “Young man,” He said, “I tell you, get up!”

And he came nigh and touched the bier: and the bearers stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.

Context of Luke 7:14

Luke 7:14 is a pivotal moment in the narrative of Jesus raising the son of the widow of Nain. Prior to this verse, Jesus encounters a large funeral procession leaving the town of Nain. The deceased was the only son of a widow, a situation that would have left her utterly destitute and without support in that ancient society. The scene is set with immense grief, as the community accompanies the mother. Jesus, moved by her sorrow, approaches the bier.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Compassion: Jesus' action is first motivated by profound compassion for the grieving mother. He sees her plight and is deeply moved, demonstrating His empathy for human suffering.
  • Authority Over Death: This verse powerfully showcases Jesus' absolute authority over life and death. Unlike other miracles where He might pray or perform an elaborate action, here He simply touches the bier and issues a direct command: "Arise." This is a clear demonstration of His divine power, echoing His claim to be "the resurrection, and the life".
  • The Power of God Manifest: The immediate response—the young man sitting up and speaking—leaves no doubt that a miraculous, life-giving power has been unleashed. This miracle, along with the raising of Jairus' daughter and Lazarus, foreshadows Jesus' own victory over the grave in His resurrection (Luke 24:6).

Linguistic Insights

The KJV text states, "And he came and touched the bier." In Jewish custom, touching a dead body or anything associated with it would render a person ceremonially unclean (Numbers 19:11-13). Jesus' willingness to touch the bier signifies His transcendence of ritual law and His direct engagement with human suffering and death. He does not become unclean; rather, His touch brings life and purity.

The command, "Young man, I say unto thee, Arise," uses the Greek word egeire (ἔγειρε), which means to "rise" or "wake up." It's a forceful, authoritative imperative, not a request. This same word is often used in the New Testament to describe rising from the dead, further emphasizing Jesus' unique power.

Practical Application

The miracle at Nain offers enduring hope and comfort. It reminds us that Jesus is not detached from our pain; He is a God of profound compassion who actively intervenes in human sorrow. For those experiencing grief or loss, this verse testifies to Jesus' ultimate power over death and His ability to bring life where there is despair. It encourages believers to trust in His sovereignty and His promise of future resurrection (1 Thessalonians 4:16), knowing that He holds the keys to life and death.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • John 11:43

    And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.

  • John 11:44

    And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.

  • John 5:25

    Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.

  • Acts 9:40

    But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning [him] to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.

  • Acts 9:41

    And he gave her [his] hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.

  • John 11:25

    Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

  • John 5:28

    Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,

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