Time after Pentecost · Proper 5 · Year C
Luke 7:11-17
Jesus Raises a Widow’s Son
June 11, 2028
Overview & Insights
“‘Young man, I say to you, arise.’ And the dead man sat up and began to speak.” (Luke 7:14–15)
After the controversies of 5:17–6:11 and the collection of teaching on discipleship in 6:12–49, Luke now resumes his account of Jesus’s public activity in and around Capernaum with two instances of Jesus’s spectacular healing power. These two healings are of men, one of whom is already dead; in 8:40–56 Luke will tell of the healing of two women, one of whom is already dead. Luke often likes to balance male and female in the stories he tells. This section also brings together two stories in which Jesus responds to the needs of first a man and then a woman, each facing the loss of a loved one. Matthew’s account of the healing of the centurion’s servant (8:5–13) emphasizes the centurion’s status as a Gentile and develops that theme with a powerful saying about the universal scope of the kingdom of heaven (8:11–12), which Luke has elsewhere (13:28–29).
From Sermons.com: Join Today to access the most scholarly & well written preaching resources anywhere.
Take it further
Commentary
Luke 7 Commentary Enduring Word · David Guzik
David Guzik's commentary on Jesus' compassion and the raising of the widow's son.
Luke 7 Commentary Precept Austin
A detailed inductive study of this account and its echo of Elijah's ministry.
Luke 7:11 Commentaries BibleHub
A single page collecting several classic commentaries on this account.
Luke 7 (Barnes' Notes) StudyLight
Albert Barnes' verse-by-verse notes on the raising at Nain.
Commentary on Luke 7:11-17 Working Preacher
Reflects on Jesus' compassion for the widow as the heart of the miracle.
Background & Word Study
The Church Fathers
Worship & Prayers
Art & Music
Questions preachers ask
What happens at Nain?
Meeting a widow burying her only son, Jesus is moved with compassion, touches the bier, and raises him, giving him back to his mother; the crowd glorifies God (Luke 7:11–17).
Prep at sermons.com
Ready to write?
- Full sermons on Luke 7:11-17
- Illustrations cleared for use in worship
- Commentary, quotes, and Bible dictionary
Trusted by pastors since 1995.
Free every Tuesday
Illustrations & Sermon Prep in your inbox
The coming Sunday’s readings, a cleared-for-use illustration, and a sermon-prep head start. One email, free.