Read Verse Keyword Strong's
Prev

Luke 7:12

Next

Now when he came nigh 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.

Now {G1161} when {G5613} he came nigh {G1448} to the gate {G4439} of the city {G4172}, behold {G2532}{G2400}, there was {G1580} a dead man {G2348} carried out {G1580}, the only {G3439} son {G5207} of his {G846} mother {G3384}, and {G2532} she {G846} was {G2258} a widow {G5503}: and {G2532} much {G2425} people {G3793} of the city {G4172} was {G2258} with {G4862} her {G846}.

As he approached the town gate, a dead man was being carried out for burial. His mother was a widow, this had been her only son, and a sizeable crowd from the town was with her.

As He approached the town gate, He saw a dead man being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her.

Now when 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 city was with her.

Commentary

Luke 7:12 describes a pivotal moment in Jesus' ministry, setting the scene for one of His profound miracles. As Jesus approached the city gate of Nain, He encountered a solemn funeral procession. The deceased was "the only son of his mother, and she was a widow," a detail that underscores the immense tragedy and vulnerability of the woman.

Context

This verse is situated early in Luke's account of Jesus' public ministry, following a series of teachings and healings, including the healing of the centurion's servant in Capernaum. Jesus was traveling through Galilee, and Nain was a small village south of Nazareth. The encounter at the city gate was significant; it was a common place for public gatherings and where people entered and exited the city. A widow in ancient society, especially one who had lost her only son, faced extreme hardship, often left without support or protection. The presence of "much people of the city" indicates the community's empathy for her dire situation, highlighting the public nature of her grief and destitution.

Key Themes

  • Divine Encounter with Human Suffering: The verse vividly portrays a collision between the forces of life (Jesus) and death (the funeral procession). It emphasizes Jesus' direct confrontation with sorrow and loss.
  • Jesus' Profound Compassion: While the verse itself only sets the scene, the subsequent verses (Luke 7:13-15) reveal Jesus' immediate and heartfelt compassion for the grieving widow, leading Him to intervene.
  • Vulnerability and Despair: The description "the only son of his mother, and she was a widow" paints a picture of ultimate human vulnerability and despair. For a widow, an only son was her hope for future security and lineage.
  • Foreshadowing of Authority Over Death: The encounter sets the stage for Jesus to demonstrate His unique power over death, a central aspect of His divine authority and mission.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "only son" translates from the Greek word monogenes (μονογενής), which literally means "one of a kind" or "unique." While often translated as "only begotten" (as in John 3:16), here it emphasizes the singular, irreplaceable nature of this son to his mother, intensifying the tragedy. The custom of carrying the dead "out" of the city gate for burial was common practice, signifying separation from the living community and ritual purity concerns.

Practical Application

This verse reminds us that Jesus is not distant from human suffering. He actively seeks out and encounters those in pain. It highlights that no sorrow, however personal or profound, escapes His notice or compassion. For believers, it offers a powerful promise: even in our deepest grief and loss, Jesus sees our struggle and has the ultimate power to intervene. It also calls us to emulate His compassion, to be present with and minister to those who are grieving or marginalized in our own communities, reflecting the heart of Christ as seen in this narrative and in other accounts of Jesus' miracles, such as the raising of Lazarus from the dead.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Luke 8:42 (3 votes)

    For he had one only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she lay a dying. But as he went the people thronged him.

  • Zechariah 12:10 (2 votes)

    And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for [his] only [son], and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for [his] firstborn.

  • 1 Kings 17:12 (2 votes)

    And she said, [As] the LORD thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I [am] gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die.

  • Job 29:13 (2 votes)

    The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me: and I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy.

  • John 11:19 (2 votes)

    And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.

  • Genesis 22:12 (2 votes)

    And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only [son] from me.

  • 1 Timothy 5:4 (2 votes)

    But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.