Luke 7:15

KJV

And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} he that was dead {G3498} sat up {G339}, and {G2532} began {G756} to speak {G2980}. And {G2532} he delivered {G1325} him {G846} to his {G846} mother {G3384}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Yeshua gave him to his mother.

Berean Standard Bible

And the dead man sat up and began to speak! Then Jesus gave him back to his mother.

American Standard Version

And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he gave him to his mother.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 7:15 captures the astonishing climax of Jesus' interaction at Nain, where He encounters a funeral procession for a widow's only son. Through a simple command, Jesus brings the deceased young man back to life, who immediately sits up and speaks, demonstrating Jesus' unparalleled authority over death and His profound compassion. The verse culminates in Jesus' tender act of restoring the son to his grieving mother, signifying not only a physical resurrection but also a complete relational and social restoration.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This miraculous event in [Luke 7:11-17](/luke/7-11-17 "Jesus Raises the Widow's Son at Nain") is strategically placed in Luke's Gospel, following the healing of the Centurion's servant ([Luke 7:1-10](/luke/7-1-10 "The Healing of the Centurion's Servant")). Both narratives highlight Jesus' authority and compassion, but the raising of the dead man at Nain escalates the demonstration of His power to an unprecedented level. The immediate aftermath, described in [Luke 7:16-17](/luke/7-16-17 "The People's Reaction to the Miracle at Nain"), shows the profound awe and fear that fell upon the crowd, who glorified God and recognized Jesus as a great prophet, confirming the significance of this sign. This miracle also serves as a powerful piece of evidence Jesus later presents to John the Baptist's disciples when they inquire about His identity ([Luke 7:22](/luke/7-22 "Jesus' Response to John the Baptist's Disciples")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is Nain, a small village in Galilee, likely chosen by Luke to emphasize Jesus' ministry reaching beyond major centers. Funerals in ancient Israel were public and deeply communal events, often involving a procession from the home to the burial site outside the city gates. The presence of a "large crowd" accompanying the widow underscores the community's shared grief. For a widow in that society, losing her "only son" was catastrophic, as it meant the loss of her primary source of support, protection, and social standing. Such a woman would be left utterly destitute and vulnerable, highlighting the profound despair Jesus encountered and the immense relief His miracle brought. The act of touching the bier, which would have rendered Jesus ritually unclean according to Mosaic Law ([Numbers 19:11](/numbers/19-11 "The Law of Uncleanness from the Dead")), further emphasizes His divine authority that transcends human ceremonial laws.
* **Key Themes:** Luke 7:15 powerfully illustrates several core themes within Luke's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores [Jesus' absolute authority over death](/john/11-25 "Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life"), a divine prerogative demonstrated through a simple command, not a prayer or elaborate ritual. This miracle, alongside the [raising of Jairus's daughter](/mark/5-41-42 "Jesus Raises Jairus's Daughter") and [Lazarus](/john/11-43-44 "Jesus Raises Lazarus from the Dead"), unequivocally establishes Jesus as the Lord of life. Secondly, it highlights Jesus' profound **compassion** for the marginalized and suffering, particularly widows, a group often emphasized in Luke's Gospel as recipients of God's special care ([Luke 18:1-8](/luke/18-1-8 "The Parable of the Persistent Widow")). His action is driven by empathy, not merely a display of power. Lastly, the event serves as compelling **evidence of Jesus' Messiahship**, fulfilling prophetic expectations of a time when God would intervene to bring life and restoration, affirming His unique identity as the Son of God and the promised deliverer.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **dead (Greek, _nekrós'_):** This word, derived from a root meaning "corpse," emphasizes the absolute state of lifelessness. It signifies not merely unconsciousness or a coma, but a complete cessation of life, making the subsequent restoration all the more miraculous and undeniable. The young man was genuinely, physically deceased.
* **sat up (Greek, _anakathízō'_):** This verb, a compound of "up" (ἀνά) and "to sit" (καθίζω), describes a deliberate, active movement from a prone position to an upright, seated one. It denotes a full and conscious reanimation, not a mere twitch or reflex. This detail underscores the completeness of the miracle – the young man was not just revived, but fully restored to his faculties.
* **delivered (Greek, _dídōmi'_):** This versatile verb means "to give" or "to hand over." In this context, it conveys Jesus' intentional act of presenting the resurrected son back to his mother. It signifies a restoration of relationship and order, a return of what was lost, and a compassionate act of giving life and family back to the grieving widow.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he that was dead sat up":** This clause immediately communicates the astonishing and undeniable reality of the miracle. The subject, "he that was dead," emphasizes the prior state of absolute lifelessness, making the action of "sat up" a direct and dramatic reversal of death. It signifies a complete and instantaneous reanimation, demonstrating Jesus' supreme authority over the most ultimate human limitation.
* **"and began to speak":** Following the physical reanimation, this clause provides further, irrefutable proof of the young man's full restoration to consciousness and cognitive function. Speaking is a complex human act requiring brain activity, vocal cord function, and conscious thought. The phrase "began to speak" indicates a return to normal human interaction and communication, confirming that he was not merely revived but fully restored to life and personhood.
* **"And he delivered him to his mother":** This final clause highlights the deeply compassionate and relational aspect of Jesus' miracle. It is not just a display of power but an act of profound restoration. Jesus, the Giver of life, personally hands the son back to his grieving mother, reversing her sorrow into joy and restoring her family unit and social standing. This act completes the miracle, emphasizing the personal and redemptive purpose behind Jesus' divine intervention.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 7:15 employs several powerful literary devices to underscore the significance of the event. The most prominent is **Dramatic Irony**, as the funeral procession, moving towards the city gates for burial, is dramatically interrupted by the Lord of Life, who reverses the expected outcome of death. This creates a profound **Contrast** between the hopelessness of death and the triumph of divine power. The narrative also uses **Emphasis** through the sequential actions: "sat up" followed by "began to speak," which builds the impact and provides irrefutable proof of the completeness of the resurrection. The final act, "delivered him to his mother," serves as a powerful **Symbolism** of Jesus' role as the restorer of brokenness and the Giver of life, not just physically but relationally, bringing wholeness and joy where there was despair.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 7:15 stands as a profound theological statement about Jesus' divine nature and mission. It reveals Him not merely as a prophet or healer, but as the very source of life, possessing ultimate authority over death itself. This miracle, driven by compassion for a grieving widow, underscores God's active involvement in human suffering and His desire to bring restoration and hope. It foreshadows the ultimate victory over death promised to all who believe in Christ, and serves as a powerful affirmation of the resurrection hope that is central to Christian faith. The act of returning the son to his mother also highlights the relational aspect of God's redemptive work, restoring not just individuals but families and communities.

* [John 5:28-29](/john/5-28-29 "The Resurrection of the Dead")
* [1 Corinthians 15:20-22](/1_corinthians/15-20-22 "Christ, the Firstfruits of the Resurrection")
* [Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14-15 "Jesus' Victory Over Death")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The resurrection of the widow's son at Nain offers a powerful and enduring message of hope and divine intervention for believers today. In a world often marked by loss, despair, and seemingly irreversible situations, this passage reminds us that no circumstance is beyond the power of God. Just as Jesus stepped into a funeral procession, a symbol of ultimate finality, and reversed death itself, He is capable of bringing life, hope, and restoration to the most desperate areas of our lives—be it a broken relationship, a lost dream, a spiritual deadness, or overwhelming grief. This miracle calls us to trust in Christ's sovereign authority over all things, including the ultimate enemy, death. It also challenges us to cultivate a compassionate heart, mirroring Jesus' empathy for the suffering, and to be instruments of His life-giving presence in a world that desperately needs it.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus' compassion for the widow at Nain challenge my own response to suffering and loss in others' lives?**
* **In what "dead" areas of my life, or the lives of those I know, do I need to trust in Jesus' life-giving power for restoration?**
* **What does this miracle teach me about the ultimate authority of Jesus Christ over all things, including death, and how does that truth impact my hope for the future?**

### FAQ

**Why did Jesus choose to raise this particular young man, and not others?**

Answer: The biblical narrative does not explicitly state why Jesus chose to raise this particular young man. However, the text emphasizes Jesus' profound "compassion" for the grieving widow, who had lost both her husband and now her only son, leaving her utterly destitute and without support in that society ([Luke 7:13](/luke/7-13 "Jesus' Compassion for the Widow")). This act highlights Jesus' special care for the vulnerable and marginalized, a recurring theme in Luke's Gospel. While Jesus performed many miracles, the specific instances of raising the dead (this one, Jairus's daughter in [Mark 5:35-43](/mark/5-35-43 "The Raising of Jairus's Daughter"), and Lazarus in [John 11:38-44](/john/11-38-44 "The Raising of Lazarus")) served as powerful, undeniable signs of His divine authority over life and death, confirming His identity as the Messiah to those who witnessed them and to future generations.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The resurrection of the widow's son at Nain is a profound Christ-centered fulfillment, serving as a powerful foreshadowing and demonstration of Jesus' ultimate victory over death and His role as the Life-Giver. While this young man was restored to mortal life, only to die again, Jesus' act points forward to His own glorious resurrection from the dead ([Luke 24:1-7](/luke/24-1-7 "The Resurrection of Jesus")), which guarantees the future resurrection and eternal life for all who believe in Him. Jesus is not merely one who can raise the dead; He is "the resurrection and the life" ([John 11:25](/john/11-25 "Jesus: The Resurrection and the Life")). His compassionate intervention at Nain reveals Him as the One who would ultimately conquer sin and death on the cross, disarming the powers of darkness ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Christ's Triumph Over Spiritual Powers")), and offering the promise of a new, imperishable body to His followers ([1 Corinthians 15:53-57](/1_corinthians/15-53-57 "Victory Over Death Through Christ")). Thus, Luke 7:15 is a microcosm of the gospel message: Jesus, out of divine love, enters into humanity's deepest despair (death), speaks a word of life, and restores what was lost, ultimately culminating in His redemptive work that offers eternal life and reconciliation with God for all who put their faith in Him ([Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "The Wages of Sin and the Gift of God")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Kings 17:23

And Elijah took the child, and brought him down out of the chamber into the house, and delivered him unto his mother: and Elijah said, See, thy son liveth.

1 Kings 17:24

And the woman said to Elijah, Now by this I know that thou [art] a man of God, [and] that the word of the LORD in thy mouth [is] truth.

2 Kings 4:32

And when Elisha was come into the house, behold, the child was dead, [and] laid upon his bed.

2 Kings 4:37

Then she went in, and fell at his feet, and bowed herself to the ground, and took up her son, and went out.

2 Kings 13:21

And it came to pass, as they were burying a man, that, behold, they spied a band [of men]; and they cast the man into the sepulchre of Elisha: and when the man was let down, and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived, and stood up on his feet.