‘And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said to her, “Do not cry.” '
We are not told of any request made to Jesus. Perhaps all thought that there was nothing that He could do. But Jesus of His own volition went forward to help her because He was filled with compassion at her need. Here was One Who did not look lightly on the sufferings of His people. And gently He said to her, ‘Do not cry.' We are reminded of His earlier words, ‘Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh' (Luke 6:21). Soon the widow's laughter will reach up to God.
‘When the Lord saw her.' The use of ‘the Lord' is not accidental. Here was the One Who was in control of the situation, the Lord of life. Compare Luke 2:11 (a Saviour Who is Christ the Lord); Luke 5:8 (the holy Lord); Luke 5:12 (the Lord over disease); Luke 5:17 (the Lord of power); Luke 6:5 (the Lord of the Sabbath); Luke 6:46 (the Lord of disciples Who must be obeyed). It speaks of authority and power.