New Testament

Luke 7:12

The Clear Bible Translation matches the King James Version, written at a 10th-grade reading level in plain English

At a Glance

In this verse, Jesus arrives at a town and encounters a funeral procession.

Author
Luke the physician
Written
Around AD 60-62
Genre
Gospel and history
Original Audience
Gentile Christians (addressed to Theophilus)
CBTClear Bible Translation

As he approached the town gate, a funeral procession was coming out. The dead man was the only son of a widow, and a large crowd from the town was with her.

KJVKing James Version

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.

Verse Analysis

Plain-English insight for readers

In this verse, Jesus arrives at a town and encounters a funeral procession. The deceased is a young man, the only son of a widow, which highlights the tragedy of her loss. In ancient times, a widow without a son faced significant hardship, as she would have lost her primary means of support. The presence of a large crowd indicates that the community is mourning with her, showing their support and compassion. This scene sets the stage for Jesus to demonstrate His compassion and power over death, as He is about to perform a miracle. The emotional weight of the situation is profound, as it reflects themes of loss, community support, and the hope of restoration. This moment emphasizes the importance of empathy and the impact of loss on individuals and families, particularly in vulnerable situations.

Key themes

Related topics

compassion, loss, community

How to apply Luke 7:12 to your life

This verse encourages us to be aware of those who are grieving in our communities. We can offer support and compassion to those who are suffering, just as the crowd did for the widow. Small acts of kindness can make a significant difference in someone's life.

Curated for this public verse page. Luke Summary

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick, clear answers about this verse

What does Luke 7:12 mean?

Luke 7:12 describes Jesus encountering a funeral procession for a young man who was the only son of a widow. This highlights the widow's profound loss and the community's support during her time of grief.

What is the significance of the widow in Luke 7:12?

The widow in Luke 7:12 represents vulnerability and loss, as she has lost her only son, leaving her without support in a society where widows often faced great hardship.

What themes are present in Luke 7:12?

Key themes in Luke 7:12 include compassion, loss, community support, and the hope of restoration, as it portrays the emotional weight of the widow's situation and the crowd's solidarity.

How does Luke 7:12 relate to community support?

Luke 7:12 shows the importance of community support during times of grief, as the large crowd accompanying the widow signifies collective mourning and compassion for her loss.

The Book of Luke
Book Summary

The Book of Luke

Luke 1: The Births of John the Baptist and Jesus Foretold

In the days of Herod, king of Judaea, a priest named Zacharias serves in the temple. He and his wife Elisabeth are both righteous but have no children because Elisabeth is barren, and they are both old. While Zacharias burns incense, the angel Gabriel appears to him and says Elisabeth will bear a son who is to be named John. The child will be great before the Lord, will drink no wine or strong drink, and will be filled with the Holy Ghost from his mother's womb. He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. Zacharias asks how he can know this, since he and his wife are old. Gabriel says Zacharias will be unable to speak until these things come to pass because he did not believe.

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