And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.

LUKE 7:14KJV
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Luke 7:14 (KJV)

What does Luke 7:14 mean?

Luke 7:14 describes Jesus approaching a funeral procession, touching the bier (the platform carrying the dead man), and commanding the young man to rise. The verse shows Jesus directly addressing the dead man and calling him back to life with authority.

In this scene, Jesus is outside the town of Nain, where a widow’s only son has died. As the funeral procession moves out of the city, Jesus interrupts it by physically touching the bier, which would have been unexpected and even shocking in that culture. Jesus then speaks directly to the young man, telling him to get up, demonstrating both compassion for the grieving mother and power over death.

The Greek behind Luke 7:14

  • "βῆμα" (bier, transliterated as "bēma") refers to the platform or stretcher used to carry the body. The use of this word highlights the public and final nature of the situation—this was a real funeral, not just a private moment.
  • "νεανίσκος" (man, transliterated as "neaniskos") means a young man, emphasizing that this was someone in the prime of life, making his death especially tragic for his mother.
  • "ἐγείρω" (Arise, transliterated as "egeirō") is often used in the New Testament for resurrection or being raised up, not just waking up. Here, it signals a literal return to life, not simply standing up.

Why Luke 7:14 matters

  • Luke 7:14 makes clear that Jesus’ authority extends even to death, as he commands the dead to rise with a simple word.
  • The verse highlights Jesus’ compassion, as he intervenes in a moment of deep loss for the widow, who would have been left without support.
  • This moment connects to other resurrection stories in the Gospels, showing a consistent theme of Jesus bringing hope and life where there is none.

Where else these words appear

“man” Greek G3495 · used in 9 verses

  • Matthew 19:20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?
  • Mark 14:51 And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him:
  • Acts 5:10 Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.

“bare” Greek G941 · used in 27 verses

  • Matthew 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
  • John 10:31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.
  • Romans 11:18 Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.

“touched” Greek G680 · used in 33 verses

  • Matthew 8:3 And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
  • Mark 5:27 When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment.
  • Luke 8:44 Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched.

“came” Greek G4334 · used in 85 verses

  • Matthew 4:3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
  • Matthew 21:14 And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them.
  • Luke 9:12 And when the day began to wear away, then came the twelve, and said unto him, Send the multitude away, that they may go into the towns and country round about, and lodge, and get victuals: for we are here in a desert place.