Luke 7:12 - Now when he came near to the gate of the city, behold, one who was dead was carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. Many people of the city were with her.

Generated Verse: Luke 7:12

What does "Luke 7:12" mean?


This verse from Luke 7:12 sets the scene for a poignant and dramatic encounter. Let's break it down:

"Now when he came near to the gate of the city...": "He" refers to Jesus. Luke establishes that Jesus and his disciples are approaching the city gates, suggesting they are arriving from traveling. The city is later identified as Nain. Gates in ancient cities were significant points of entry and exit, where people would gather and where important events often took place.

"...behold, one who was dead was carried out...": "Behold" is an exclamation that grabs the reader's attention, signaling something significant is about to happen. The phrase "one who was dead was carried out" means a funeral procession is leaving the city to bury the deceased. It's a somber scene of death and mourning.

"...the only son of his mother...": This is a crucial detail that immediately evokes sympathy. This was not just any death; it was the loss of an only son, making it particularly tragic. Only sons often carried the family name and inheritance, making their death a significant loss for the entire family line.

"...and she was a widow.": This compounds the tragedy. The woman has already lost her husband and is now losing her only son, her sole source of support and companionship in that society. Widows were often in a vulnerable and precarious position, relying on family, particularly sons, for survival.

"Many people of the city were with her.": This shows the community's support and empathy for the grieving widow. It also suggests that the woman and her son were likely respected or well-known in the city. Funerals were important social events and showed the deceased and their family's standing in the community.

Overall Meaning

The verse paints a powerful picture of grief, loss, and vulnerability. It establishes a stark contrast: Jesus, representing life and hope, is entering the city just as a funeral procession, representing death and despair, is leaving. The stage is set for a dramatic encounter between Jesus and the grieving widow, and the verse heavily implies that something significant is about to happen that will challenge the natural order of death. It emphasizes the depth of the woman's sorrow and isolation, making the subsequent miracle even more impactful.