Luke 7:16

KJV

And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} there came {G2983} a fear {G5401} on all {G537}: and {G2532} they glorified {G1392} God {G2316}, saying {G3004}, That {G3754} a great {G3173} prophet {G4396} is risen up {G1453} among {G1722} us {G2254}; and {G2532}, That {G3754} God {G2316} hath visited {G1980} his {G846} people {G2992}.

Complete Jewish Bible

They were all filled with awe and gave glory to God, saying, "A great prophet has appeared among us," and, "God has come to help his people."

Berean Standard Bible

A sense of awe swept over all of them, and they glorified God. “A great prophet has appeared among us!” they said. “God has visited His people!”

American Standard Version

And fear took hold on all: and they glorified God, saying, A great prophet is arisen among us: and, God hath visited his people.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 7:16 captures the profound and immediate reaction of the crowd to Jesus' miraculous raising of the widow's son in Nain. Overwhelmed by the display of divine power, the eyewitnesses were struck with a deep sense of awe and reverence, leading them to glorify God. Their declarations reveal a dual recognition: that a "great prophet" had indeed appeared among them, reminiscent of the mighty prophets of old, and, more significantly, that God Himself had graciously intervened and "visited His people" through Jesus, signaling a moment of divine redemptive presence.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the climactic response to Jesus' compassionate and powerful miracle in [Nain](/luke/7-11 "Luke 7:11 - Jesus Raises the Widow's Son at Nain"). Immediately preceding [Luke 7:16](/luke/7-16 "Luke 7:16 - The Crowd's Reaction"), Jesus encounters a funeral procession for the only son of a widow, a situation of profound despair. Moved with pity, Jesus commands the young man to rise, and he is restored to life ([Luke 7:11-15](/luke/7-11-15 "Luke 7:11-15 - Jesus Raises the Widow's Son")). The verse thus encapsulates the immediate, overwhelming impact of this unprecedented display of authority over death, framing it as a divine act that elicits awe and worship from all who witnessed it. It highlights Jesus' unique power and compassion, setting the stage for subsequent narratives about His identity and mission.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, death was seen as the ultimate enemy, and raising the dead was an act reserved for God or His specially empowered agents. Prophets like Elijah and Elisha had performed similar miracles ([1 Kings 17:17-24](/1-kings/17-17-24 "1 Kings 17:17-24 - Elijah Raises the Widow's Son") and [2 Kings 4:32-37](/2-kings/4-32-37 "2 Kings 4:32-37 - Elisha Raises the Shunammite's Son")), making the crowd's recognition of Jesus as a "great prophet" deeply significant. Furthermore, the concept of God "visiting His people" carried profound historical and eschatological weight. It evoked memories of God's past interventions, such as the Exodus ([Exodus 3:16](/exodus/3-16 "Exodus 3:16 - God's Promise to Visit Israel")), and fueled expectations for a future, decisive visitation of salvation, often associated with the coming of the Messiah. The crowd's reaction, therefore, reflects their understanding of Jesus within the framework of divine action in Israel's history.

* **Key Themes:** The immediate aftermath of the miracle at Nain brings several key themes to the forefront. Firstly, the theme of **Divine Authority over Death** is powerfully established, as Jesus demonstrates power that only God possesses, a power that transcends human limitations and offers a glimpse into His ultimate victory over the grave. Secondly, the declaration of Jesus as a **"great prophet"** highlights the theme of **Prophetic Fulfillment**, aligning Jesus with the lineage of God's chosen spokesmen, particularly those who performed mighty signs and wonders, and pointing toward the fulfillment of the promise of a prophet like Moses ([Deuteronomy 18:15](/deuteronomy/18-15 "Deuteronomy 18:15 - Prophecy of a Prophet Like Moses")). Thirdly, the crowd's pronouncement that **"God hath visited his people"** underscores the theme of **God's Redemptive Intervention**. This phrase signifies a moment of divine presence and action, implying God's active engagement in the affairs of humanity, bringing help, deliverance, and salvation, echoing the language of Zechariah's prophecy concerning the Messiah's coming ([Luke 1:68](/luke/1-68 "Luke 1:68 - Zechariah's Prophecy of God's Visitation")). Finally, the natural response of **Glorifying God** emphasizes that true miracles serve to reveal God's character and lead humanity to worship Him ([Matthew 9:8](/matthew/9-8 "Matthew 9:8 - People Glorify God After Healing")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **fear (Greek, _phóbos'_):** While often translated as 'fear' in a negative sense, in this context, _phóbos_ denotes a profound sense of awe, reverence, or holy dread. It is not terror but an overwhelming respect and wonder in the presence of the divine, a recognition of God's manifest power and holiness.
* **glorified (Greek, _doxázō'_):** Derived from _doxa_ (glory), _doxázō_ means to render or esteem glorious, to magnify, or to give honor. The crowd's act of glorifying God signifies their acknowledgment of His greatness and power, attributing the miracle they witnessed directly to Him.
* **prophet (Greek, _prophḗtēs'_):** This term refers to a foreteller or an inspired speaker. In the biblical context, a prophet is one who speaks on behalf of God, often performing signs and wonders to authenticate their message. The crowd's use of "great prophet" places Jesus in the esteemed lineage of figures like Elijah and Elisha, who also raised the dead.
* **visited (Greek, _episképtomai'_):** This word, in its middle voice, means to inspect, select, or go to see with the intent to help or relieve. When used of God, as here, it signifies a divine intervention or gracious presence, often with the purpose of deliverance, salvation, or providing aid to His people. It implies an active, benevolent engagement.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And there came a fear on all:"** This clause describes the immediate, universal reaction of the crowd. The "fear" here is not terror but a profound sense of awe and reverence, an overwhelming recognition of the divine power that had just been displayed. It signifies a holy dread and wonder in the presence of something utterly beyond human capability.
* **"and they glorified God, saying,"** Following their awe, the crowd's natural and appropriate response was to offer praise and honor to God. They understood that the miracle was not merely a human feat but a divine act, and thus, the glory for it belonged to God alone. Their verbal declaration was an act of worship.
* **"That a great prophet is risen up among us;"** This statement reveals the crowd's interpretation of Jesus' identity based on the miracle. They recognized Him as a "great prophet," linking Him to the powerful prophetic tradition of Israel, particularly figures like Elijah and Elisha who had also raised the dead. This was a significant, albeit partial, understanding of who Jesus was.
* **"and, That God hath visited his people."** This second declaration is a profound theological insight. It expresses the belief that God was actively intervening in human history, specifically among them, through Jesus. The concept of God "visiting" implies a gracious, redemptive, and salvific act, signifying that God had drawn near to His people to bring them help and deliverance, fulfilling ancient promises.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 7:16 employs several **literary devices** to convey the profound impact of Jesus' miracle. The phrase "there came a fear on all" utilizes **Hyperbole** to emphasize the universal and overwhelming nature of the crowd's reaction, indicating that no one present was untouched by the awe-inspiring event. The recognition of Jesus as a "great prophet" and the declaration that "God hath visited his people" serve as **Foreshadowing**, hinting at Jesus' true identity and mission, even if the crowd's understanding was still incomplete. This moment acts as a **Thematic Revelation**, showcasing Jesus as the one through whom God's power and compassion are uniquely manifested. The entire scene is imbued with **Dramatic Irony**, as the crowd's partial understanding of Jesus as merely a "great prophet" contrasts with the reader's growing awareness of His full divine identity as the Messiah and Son of God, who is not just *a* prophet but the very embodiment of God's visitation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 7:16 stands as a powerful testament to God's active presence and intervention in human history through Jesus Christ. The crowd's dual declaration—recognizing Jesus as a "great prophet" and proclaiming that "God hath visited his people"—underscores the profound theological significance of the miracle at Nain. It connects Jesus' ministry directly to the Old Testament tradition of divine visitation and prophetic authority, yet it also hints at something greater. This "visitation" is not merely a fleeting appearance but a decisive, redemptive act of God drawing near to His creation, bringing salvation and life where there was death and despair. It foreshadows the ultimate visitation of God in Christ, who fully embodies the divine presence and power to save.

* [Luke 1:68](/luke/1-68 "Luke 1:68 - Zechariah's Prophecy of God's Visitation"): Zechariah's prophecy, "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people," directly parallels the crowd's declaration, highlighting the Messianic implications of Jesus' ministry.
* [Exodus 4:31](/exodus/4-31 "Exodus 4:31 - Israel Believes God Has Visited Them"): When Moses performed signs, the people "believed... that the Lord had visited the children of Israel," demonstrating a historical pattern of recognizing God's presence through miraculous intervention.
* [Matthew 9:8](/matthew/9-8 "Matthew 9:8 - People Glorify God After Healing"): After Jesus healed the paralytic, the crowds "glorified God, which had given such power unto men," showing a similar response of awe and worship to divine power.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 7:16 invites us to consider our own response to the manifest presence and power of God in our lives and in the world. Just as the crowd at Nain was struck with awe and compelled to glorify God, we too are called to recognize the profound ways in which God "visits" His people today. This visitation may not always be in dramatic miracles like raising the dead, but it is certainly present in the transformative power of the Gospel, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and the ongoing work of Christ in redeeming and restoring lives. This verse challenges us to move beyond a casual acknowledgment of God's existence to a deep, reverential awe that leads to genuine worship and glorification. It reminds us that when we truly grasp the depth of God's compassion and His active intervention in our broken world, our natural response should be one of profound gratitude and adoration, inspiring us to share the good news of His visitation with others.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does my understanding of God's power compare to the awe experienced by the crowd in Luke 7:16?**
* **In what ways have I personally experienced God "visiting" or intervening in my life, bringing help or deliverance?**
* **What does it mean for me to "glorify God" in response to His work, both in grand miracles and in the everyday?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper sense of reverence and awe for Jesus, recognizing Him as more than just a historical figure, but as the one through whom God has truly drawn near?**

### FAQ
**What kind of "fear" is mentioned in Luke 7:16?**

Answer: The "fear" (Greek: _phóbos_) mentioned in [Luke 7:16](/luke/7-16 "Luke 7:16 - The Crowd's Reaction") is not a terror-inducing fright but rather a profound sense of awe, reverence, and holy dread. It signifies an overwhelming respect and wonder in the presence of the divine, a recognition of God's manifest power and holiness. This type of fear often accompanies encounters with God's majesty and leads to worship, as seen in the crowd's immediate response of glorifying God. It's a response of humility and astonishment before the supernatural.

**Why did the crowd call Jesus a "great prophet" and not the Messiah?**

Answer: The crowd's identification of Jesus as a "great prophet" was a significant, yet incomplete, understanding of His true identity. In Jewish tradition, prophets were highly esteemed figures through whom God spoke and acted, often performing miracles like raising the dead (e.g., [Elijah in 1 Kings 17](/1-kings/17 "1 Kings 17 - Elijah and the Widow of Zarephath") and [Elisha in 2 Kings 4](/2-kings/4 "2 Kings 4 - Elisha's Miracles")). Given Jesus' miracle at Nain, comparing Him to these powerful prophets was a natural and high compliment. The concept of the Messiah was more complex and often tied to political and nationalistic expectations of a kingly deliverer. While some might have privately wondered if He was the Messiah, publicly declaring Him a "great prophet" was a safer, more understandable category for the crowd, reflecting their immediate interpretation of His miraculous power within their existing theological framework. It shows a partial, but growing, recognition of His unique authority.

**What does "God hath visited his people" mean in this context?**

Answer: The phrase "God hath visited his people" (Greek: _episképtomai_) carries profound theological weight. It signifies a divine intervention or gracious presence, indicating that God has actively drawn near to His people with the intent to help, deliver, or save. In the Old Testament, God's "visitation" often marked moments of divine action, such as the Exodus ([Exodus 3:16](/exodus/3-16 "God's Promise to Visit Israel")). In the New Testament, particularly in Luke's Gospel, it points to the eschatological fulfillment of God's promises through Jesus. It means that God is not distant or absent but has graciously and powerfully entered human history through Jesus to bring about salvation and redemption, fulfilling the long-awaited hope of Israel as seen in [Zechariah's prophecy in Luke 1:68](/luke/1-68 "Luke 1:68 - Zechariah's Prophecy of God's Visitation").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 7:16, while expressing the crowd's awe and their recognition of Jesus as a "great prophet" and God's "visitation," points powerfully to a deeper Christ-centered fulfillment. Jesus is not merely *a* prophet, even a great one, but the Prophet par excellence, the very Word of God made flesh ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). His raising of the widow's son is not just a prophetic sign, but a foretaste of His ultimate victory over death through His own resurrection ([Romans 6:9](/romans/6-9 "Romans 6:9 - Christ's Resurrection")). The crowd's declaration that "God hath visited his people" finds its fullest and most profound meaning in the incarnation of Jesus Christ. God did not merely send a messenger or a representative; in Jesus, God Himself "visited" humanity, dwelling among us ([John 1:1-18](/john/1-1-18 "John 1:1-18 - The Prologue of John's Gospel")), taking on human flesh to redeem His people from sin and death ([Philippians 2:5-8](/philippians/2-5-8 "Philippians 2:5-8 - Christ's Humiliation and Exaltation")). This divine visitation culminates in Jesus' atoning sacrifice on the cross and His glorious resurrection, through which He secured eternal life for all who believe, making His "visitation" the ultimate act of salvation for all mankind ([Colossians 1:19-20](/colossians/1-19-20 "Colossians 1:19-20 - Christ's Fullness and Reconciliation")).

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

Luke 7:39

Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw [it], he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman [this is] that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.

Matthew 9:8

But when the multitudes saw [it], they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.

Luke 1:68

Blessed [be] the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,

Jeremiah 33:9

And it shall be to me a name of joy, a praise and an honour before all the nations of the earth, which shall hear all the good that I do unto them: and they shall fear and tremble for all the goodness and for all the prosperity that I procure unto it.

Exodus 4:31

And the people believed: and when they heard that the LORD had visited the children of Israel, and that he had looked upon their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshipped.

Luke 1:65

And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judaea.

Matthew 21:11

And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.