1. The Miracles of Jesus Lesson 12: Raising the Widow’s Son at Nain Luke 7:11-17

2. The City of Nain Nain faces the Valley of Jezreel opposite Megiddo.
Nain can be seen from Nazareth, about nine miles to the southeast.
Nain was located near Shunem where Elisha raised the son of a woman who had given him hospitality (2 Kings 4:8-37).

3. The City of Nain
The small town of Nain is located on the northern slope of the Hill of Moreh There are many ancient tombs located to the east of the village.

4. View of Mt. Moreh and Nain as seen from Megiddo

5. Background to the Miracle
Jesus had healed the Centurion’s servant the day before.
Jesus’ disciples and “a large crowd” accompanied Him to Nain.
A funeral procession with “a large crowd” was coming out of the city as Jesus approached.

6. Notes From Alfred Edersheim (Book 3, Chapter 20) Funeral Processions in Ancient Galilee
“It was deemed the duty of the poorest Jew on the death of his wife, to provide at least two flutes and one mourning woman.”
“Immediately before the dead came the women, this being peculiar to Galilee, the Midrash giving this reason of it, that woman had introduced death into the world.”
“The body was…laid on a bier or in an open coffin.”
“Behind the bier walked the relatives, friends and then the sympathizing multitude, for it was deemed like mocking one’s Creator not to follow the dead to his last resting place.”

7. The Status of Widows in Bible Times
A widow was especially vulnerable in legal and financial matters in ancient times.
Special instructions had been given to the Israelites for the care and consideration of widows. (Deuteronomy 14:29; 24:17-21; 27:19; Isaiah 1:17; Zechariah 7:10)
Similar concern should be shown today! (1 Timothy 5; James 1:27)
Yet wicked men often took advantage (Psalm 94:6; Isaiah 1:23; 10:1-2; Ezekiel 22:6-7; Matthew 23:14; Luke 20:47)

8. Details of the Miracle Jesus had compassion on the widow.
A quality of God! (Deut. 10:18; Psalm 146:9)
Jesus touched the coffin.
Jesus commanded the man to “arise.”

9. The Reaction of the Multitude
They feared
They glorified God
They acknowledged Jesus as a “great prophet”
They recognized that God had visited His people (cf. Luke 1:68; Jer. 29:10; 15:15; Psalm 106:4)

10. Jesus Was “Doing Good” Through His Miracles -- Acts 10:38
Jesus’ was moved by compassion to meet human needs and alleviate human suffering!
Healing the sick (Matthew 14:14)
Feeding of the 5,000 (Mark 8:1-9)
Cleansing of the leper (Mark 1:41)
Raising the widow’s son (Luke 7:13)

11. The Significance of Miracles
Verification of DIVINE PRESENCE (John 3:1-2)
Evidence for FAITH (John 20:30-31)
Verification of a DIVINE MESSAGE (Hebrews 2:1-4)
The Special Significance of Resurrection Miracles:
The raising of the widow’s son is also verification that Jesus has power over death, and the power to raise us from the dead! This gives US hope!
Raising the dead is an ability of GOD! (John 5:20-21; Acts 26:8)