Luke 7:11
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.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐγένετο
it came to pass
G1096
ἐγένετο
it came to pass
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
2 of 20
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐπορεύετο
that he went
G4198
ἐπορεύετο
that he went
Strong's:
G4198
Word #:
6 of 20
to traverse, i.e., travel (literally or figuratively; especially to remove (figuratively, die), live, etc.)
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
7 of 20
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
καλουμένην
called
G2564
καλουμένην
called
Strong's:
G2564
Word #:
9 of 20
to "call" (properly, aloud, but used in a variety of applications, directly or otherwise)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
11 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
συνεπορεύοντο
went with
G4848
συνεπορεύοντο
went with
Strong's:
G4848
Word #:
12 of 20
to journey together; by implication, to assemble
αὐτοῦ
him
G846
αὐτοῦ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
13 of 20
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτοῦ
him
G846
αὐτοῦ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
16 of 20
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἱκανοὶ,
many
G2425
ἱκανοὶ,
many
Strong's:
G2425
Word #:
17 of 20
competent (as if coming in season), i.e., ample (in amount) or fit (in character)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
18 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Historical Context
Nain was a small village about 25 miles southwest of Capernaum, near Mount Tabor. First-century funeral processions left from the city gate, as burial occurred outside city walls. The timing of Jesus' arrival at the precise moment of the funeral procession demonstrates divine providence.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the immediate sequence from healing to resurrection reveal the progressive unveiling of Christ's divine authority?
- What does Jesus' deliberate journey to Nain teach about His intentional compassion toward those in desperate need?
- How should the presence of many witnesses encourage confidence in the historical reality of Jesus' miracles?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
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. The phrase en tō hexēs (ἐν τῷ ἑξῆς, on the next [day]) marks the temporal connection—immediately after demonstrating authority over disease, Jesus reveals authority over death itself. Nain (Ναΐν, likely from Hebrew 'pleasant') was a small village, yet it witnessed one of Scripture's three recorded resurrections performed by Jesus (the others: Jairus's daughter, Lazarus).
Luke emphasizes the crowd: ochlós polys (ὄχλος πολύς, a great crowd). This ensured numerous witnesses to the coming miracle. The progression is deliberate: faith of a Gentile centurion (verses 1-10), then compassion toward a Jewish widow (verses 11-17)—demonstrating Christ's mission to all people, and His authority over sickness and death.