Luke 7:11-17 - Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

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Bible Comments

The Son of the Widow of Nain (Lk. only). This incident is conditioned by the reply to the Baptist's inquiry in Luke 7:22, the dead are raised up. It is more difficult than the story of Jairus-' daughter, and represents the intermediate step between that incident and the raising of Lazarus (John 11). There is no mention of faith on anyone's part. Loisy rather fancifully sees in it a symbol of Jesus-' work in saving Israel. The widow represents the daughter of Zion (Jerusalem) losing her only son (Israel) and miraculously regaining him through Jesus. May we trace the influence of 1 Kings 17:17-24 and 2 Kings 4:33-37? Shunem was within half an hour of Nain, a little town, eight miles S.W. from Nazareth, on a hill overlooking the valley of Esdraelon. Lk. may have known a tradition that Jesus had wrought a great wonder there. It is only here that he attributes the motive of compassion to Jesus.

17. the whole of Judæ a: Luke 4:44 *.

Related Commentaries of Luke 7:11

Luke 7:11-17

11 And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people.

12 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.

13 And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her,Weep not.

14 And he came and touched the bier:b and they that bare him stood still. And he said,Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.

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

16 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.

17 And this rumour of him went forth throughout all Judaea, and throughout all the region round about.