Luke 7:15

Luke 7:15, in plain English

The dead man sat up and started talking! Then Jesus gently gave him back to his mother. Life, hope, and family — all restored in an instant.

Why it's here

He didn't just raise a dead man — He restored a mother's son, a widow's provider, a woman's entire future.

Who's speaking

Luke describes the miracle and Jesus' tender act of reuniting mother and son.

Where it sits in the story

Jesus didn't just perform a miracle and walk away. He gave the son back to his mother. He cares about the relationships, the families, the futures. His restoration is always complete.

The scholarly reading

The dead man anekathisen ("sat up") and ērxato lalein ("began to speak"), providing incontrovertible proof of resurrection. The phrase edōken auton tē mētri autou ("He gave him to his mother") echoes Elijah's restoration of the widow of Zarephath's son (1 Kings 17:23).

Language and setting

The deliberate parallel with Elijah establishes Jesus as a prophet in the Elijah tradition while simultaneously surpassing Elijah — Jesus raises the dead by His own authority, not through prayer.

Voice

Luke narrates the resurrection and Jesus' act of restoring the son to his mother.

Significance

The restoration is both physical and social: the son is returned to life and returned to his mother, addressing both the miracle and the widow's practical need.

13When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said, “Do not weep.”

14Then He went up and touched the coffin, and those carrying it stood still. “Young man,” He said, “I tell you, get up!”

15And the dead man sat up and began to speak! Then Jesus gave him back to his mother.

16A sense of awe swept over all of them, and they glorified God. “A great prophet has appeared among us!” they said. “God has visited His people!”

17And the news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and all the surrounding region.

Read all of Luke 7 — A Roman centurion's faith astonishes Jesus, a widow's dead son is raised, and a sinful woman's tears become an act of worship.