Luke 7:12
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.
Original Language Analysis
ὡς
when
G5613
ὡς
when
Strong's:
G5613
Word #:
1 of 28
which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πύλῃ
to the gate
G4439
πύλῃ
to the gate
Strong's:
G4439
Word #:
5 of 28
a gate, i.e., the leaf or wing of a folding entrance (literally or figuratively)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πόλεως
of the city
G4172
πόλεως
of the city
Strong's:
G4172
Word #:
7 of 28
a town (properly, with walls, of greater or less size)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
8 of 28
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
υἱὸς
son
G5207
υἱὸς
son
Strong's:
G5207
Word #:
12 of 28
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μητρὶ
mother
G3384
μητρὶ
mother
Strong's:
G3384
Word #:
15 of 28
a "mother" (literally or figuratively, immediate or remote)
αὐτῇ
her
G846
αὐτῇ
her
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
16 of 28
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
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
17 of 28
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτῇ
her
G846
αὐτῇ
her
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
18 of 28
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
χήρα
a widow
G5503
χήρα
a widow
Strong's:
G5503
Word #:
20 of 28
a widow (as lacking a husband), literally or figuratively
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
21 of 28
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὄχλος
people
G3793
ὄχλος
people
Strong's:
G3793
Word #:
22 of 28
a throng (as borne along); by implication, the rabble; by extension, a class of people; figuratively, a riot
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
23 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πόλεως
of the city
G4172
πόλεως
of the city
Strong's:
G4172
Word #:
24 of 28
a town (properly, with walls, of greater or less size)
ἱκανὸς
much
G2425
ἱκανὸς
much
Strong's:
G2425
Word #:
25 of 28
competent (as if coming in season), i.e., ample (in amount) or fit (in character)
Historical Context
First-century Jewish widows without male relatives faced desperate poverty, having no inheritance rights or means of support. The Torah commanded care for widows (Deuteronomy 24:19-21), but reality often fell short. This widow's only son represented her sole security, making his death economically catastrophic as well as emotionally devastating.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the widow's utter helplessness illustrate humanity's condition before Christ—spiritually dead and without hope?
- What does Jesus' intervention in this uninvited, unasked situation teach about His sovereign compassion?
- How should Christ's concern for the most vulnerable (widows, orphans) shape your ministry priorities and social ethics?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
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. The collision of two crowds—Jesus' disciples and mourners carrying a corpse—sets the stage for divine intervention. The Greek idou (ἰδού, behold) alerts readers to something extraordinary. The dead man was monogenēs (μονογενής, only-begotten/only son)—the same term describing Christ as God's only Son (John 3:16), creating poignant irony.
The widow's triple tragedy compounds: chēra (χήρα, widow) already bereaved of her husband, now losing her monogenēs, leaving her utterly destitute and alone. Ancient widows without sons faced economic ruin and social vulnerability. The large crowd (ὄχλος...ἱκανός) signifies community compassion but offers no real help. Only Christ can reverse death's finality and restore this woman's hope.