7:11–12 Jesus’ travels continue, as he next visits the small town of Nain (cf. 8:1), “twenty-five miles south of Capernaum and six miles southeast of Nazareth.”94 Bock estimates that two hundred people lived there.95 Jesus’ disciples are with him, and his works ensure that a large crowd attend him as well (cf. 6:17; 9:37). As Jesus draws near to the town, he runs into a funeral procession. Luke zeroes in on the plight of the woman. Her one and only son has died (cf. 8:42; 9:38) and is being carried out to his place of burial. But this is not all; she is also a widow and thus has no means of support since she no longer has a husband or a son to support her. This is probably the most agonizing and anguishing day of her life (cf. Jer. 6:26; Amos 8:10; Zech. 12:10). Clearly, the people of the town are grieving with her, since they are going to the place of burial with her. The story reminds us of the widow of Zarephath, whose son died and was subsequently raised from the dead by Elijah (1 Kings 17:17–24). Elisha also raised a son from the dead, though in this case the mother was not a widow (2 Kings 4:32–37).

7:13–15 Seeing the widow, Jesus—as so often in his ministry—feels compassion for her (cf. Luke 10:33; 15:20), and he instructs her not to weep (cf. 6:21; 8:52). We see here that Luke identifies Jesus as Lord, showing his authority (cf. 1:43; 2:11; 6:5, etc.), which was evident also in the previous story of the centurion. Jesus does not merely speak but also acts. He touches the bier, which would render him unclean (Num. 19:11, 16; cf. also Luke 5:13; 8:54), and when he does so those carrying the young man stop. But we see that Jesus’ holiness, his purity, his power, do not subside but give life to the dead. Jesus speaks to the young man—to the one who is dead!—summoning him to arise. We see again the inherent authority of Jesus’ word, for when he speaks, life is given to the dead. Thus the young man sits up and speaks. The manner of Jesus’ healing and the instant result that follow contrast with the resuscitations under Elijah and Elisha mentioned above. Jesus also shows his compassion by comforting the mother and giving her son back to her.

7:16–17 An awesome fear sweeps over all present (cf. 1:65; 5:26; 8:37), who give glory to God for his act of deliverance (cf. 2:20; 5:25–26; 13:13; 17:15; 18:43; 23:47). They recognize that Jesus is a “great prophet,” and they are surely right in seeing him as such (cf. 4:24; 7:39; 9:18–19; 13:33; 24:19; Acts 3:22). They are doubtless thinking of Elisha and Elijah, who also raised dead sons (1 Kings 17:17–24; 2 Kings 4:32–37). But they do not recognize Jesus also as Lord, as more than a prophet, as the Son of God. At the same time, however, they realize that God is visiting his people and acting on their behalf. Zechariah earlier saw that God was visiting Israel and fulfilling his covenant promises (Luke 1:68–71, 78). As a consequence of this great miracle, Jesus’ fame spreads throughout the region and in Judea (4:14, 44).