And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother.
LUKE 7:15KJVWhat does Luke 7:15 mean?
Luke 7:15 describes how the man who had died sat up and started speaking, and Jesus then gave him back to his mother. This verse shows the moment when Jesus brings a dead man back to life in front of a crowd, restoring him to his grieving family.
In this scene, Jesus is in the town of Nain, where he encounters a funeral procession for a widow’s only son. Moved with compassion, Jesus speaks to the dead man, who immediately sits up and talks. The verse highlights not only the miracle itself but also Jesus’ personal care, as he physically returns the son to his mother, reuniting a broken family.
The Greek behind Luke 7:15
- νεκρός (nekros, “dead”): This word refers to someone who is physically dead, emphasizing the reality of the situation and the power of what Jesus did.
- ἐκάθισεν (ekathisen, “sat up”): This verb often describes someone rising from a lying position, making it clear that the man was truly lifeless before this moment.
- παρέδωκεν (paredōken, “delivered” or “gave”): The Greek here carries the sense of handing someone over personally, highlighting Jesus’ direct involvement in restoring the son to his mother.
Why Luke 7:15 matters
- Luke 7:15 makes clear that the miracle was immediate and public, leaving no doubt that the man was truly dead and then alive again.
- The verse emphasizes Jesus’ compassion and personal touch, not just performing a miracle but also caring for the grieving mother.
- This event connects to the wider theme in Luke’s Gospel of Jesus bringing hope and restoration to those who are suffering and marginalized.