Luke 7:13
And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
Jesus' immediate compassion wasn't just a feeling; it was a powerful, active force that compelled Him to intervene. Saying "Do not weep" before the miracle reveals His absolute certainty and power over death, offering a glimpse into the heart of a Savior who acts on His deep empathy.
Jesus is traveling with a large crowd and encounters a funeral procession as he approaches the city gates. He sees a widowed mother, her only son dead, and a multitude mourning with her. Jesus' immediate compassionate response to the grieving mother is to offer comfort before miraculously bringing her son back to life.
Jesus saw a grieving mother and immediately responded. What does this tell us about God's heart for suffering?
When Jesus encountered the widow of Nain, his immediate reaction wasn't just sympathy, but active compassion. The original language uses a powerful word that means his innermost being was stirred – not just a passing feeling, but a deep, visceral empathy.
Before Jesus performs the miracle, he speaks a word of profound comfort. What makes his command "Do not weep" so powerful?
Jesus’ words to the widow, “Do not weep,” were not an insensitive dismissal of her grief. Instead, they were a confident declaration of the hope and relief he was about to bring.
Understand the original words
kyrios · Greek Noun
A common designation for Jesus, acknowledging His sovereign authority, divinity, and lordship over all creation and specifically over death in this context.
splagchnizomai · Greek Verb
A deep, visceral feeling of sympathy and sorrow for the suffering of others, often resulting in concrete action to alleviate that suffering. It is a divine attribute frequently ascribed to Jesus in His ministry.
Early 1st century AD
Jesus' Public Ministry in Galilee
Jesus traveled throughout the region of Galilee, teaching, healing, and gathering disciples. Nain was a small village within this area.
Early 1st century AD
Journey to Nain
Jesus was traveling towards or through the village of Nain, accompanied by many followers and disciples.
Early 1st century AD— this verse
Funeral Procession Encounter
As Jesus approached the gate of Nain, he encountered a funeral procession carrying a young man's body to burial. The deceased was the only son of a widow.
Early 1st century AD
Resurrection of the Widow's Son
Jesus, moved by compassion, stopped the procession, touched the bier, and commanded the young man to rise, restoring him to his mother.
Early 1st century AD
Public Reaction and Report
The miracle caused fear and awe among the witnesses, leading them to glorify God and spread news of Jesus as a great prophet throughout Judea and surrounding regions.
This passage shows Jacob's intense grief over the presumed death of his son Joseph, highlighting the profound sorrow of a parent losing a child, which mirrors the mother's grief in Luke 7.
1 Kings 17:17-24Similar to the widow of Nain, the widow of Zarephath faces the death of her only son, and Elijah's compassionate prayer and miracle lead to the child's revival, showing God's care for grieving mothers.
John 11:33-35Here Jesus is deeply moved 'in His spirit and troubled' when He sees Mary weeping over Lazarus's death, demonstrating His compassion for grief and His power over death, echoing the scene in Luke 7.
Romans 8:11This verse speaks of the life-giving power of the Spirit dwelling in believers, paralleling Jesus' power to raise the dead young man and spiritually quicken us from our 'deadness'.
Isaiah 41:10This promise from Isaiah reassures the fearful with God's presence and strength, reflecting Jesus' comforting words, 'Do not weep,' spoken to a woman in deep distress.
calvinLuke 7:11-17: "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."
- And it happened, when he departed, that he went into a city, which was called Nain, and many of his disciples, and a great multitude, went along with him. 12. And as he was approaching to the gate of the city, there was carried out a dead man, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and a great multitude from the city was with her. 13. A…
jfbLuke 7:13: "And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not."
- the Lord—"This sublime appellation is more usual with Luke and John than Matthew; Mark holds the mean" [Bengel].saw her, he had compassion, &c.—What consolation to thousands of the bereaved has this single verse carried from age to age!
Jesus' immediate compassion wasn't just a feeling; it was a powerful, active force that compelled Him to intervene. Saying "Do not weep" before the miracle reveals His absolute certainty and power over death, offering a glimpse into the heart of a Savior who acts on His deep empathy.
Jesus is traveling with a large crowd and encounters a funeral procession as he approaches the city gates. He sees a widowed mother, her only son dead, and a multitude mourning with her. Jesus' immediate compassionate response to the grieving mother is to offer comfort before miraculously bringing her son back to life.
Jesus is traveling with a large crowd and encounters a funeral procession as he approaches the city gates. He sees a widowed mother, her only son dead, and a multitude mourning with her. Jesus' immediate compassionate response to the grieving mother is to offer comfort before miraculously bringing her son back to life.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Luke 7:13 is available in the Sola app.
"And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.”" — Jesus' immediate compassion wasn't just a feeling; it was a powerful, active force that compelled Him to intervene. Saying "Do not weep" before the miracle reveals His absolute certainty and power…
