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G3484 · Greek · New Testament
Ναΐν
Nain
Proper noun
Nain; Village of the Widow's Son

Definition

Nain — the village in Galilee where Jesus raised a widow's only son from the dead, his compassion overflowing before any request was made.

Usage & Theological Significance

The Greek Nain (Hebrew: na'im, pleasant) was a village in Galilee, identified with modern Nein at the base of the Hill of Moreh. It appears only in Luke 7:11-17 — the account of Jesus raising a widow's only son. As the funeral procession came out of the city gate, Jesus 'saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, 'Don't cry.'' Then he touched the bier and commanded: 'Young man, I say to you, get up!' The crowd glorified God saying 'A great prophet has appeared among us' and 'God has come to help his people.'

The Nain miracle stands out in the Gospels because Jesus raised the dead without being asked. No one petitioned him — the widow was weeping, not requesting. Jesus acted from pure compassion (esplagchnisthē — 'his heart went out to her') before any faith was expressed. This is the grace of God unasked: the initiative of divine mercy that arrives before the prayer forms. The crowd's response — 'God has come to help (epeskepsato) his people' — uses the language of the Benedictus (Luke 1:68), the word of God 'visiting' His people. In Nain, that visitation took the form of a village funeral interrupted by resurrection.

Key Bible Verses

Luke 7:11 Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him.
Luke 7:13 When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, 'Don't cry.'
Luke 7:14 Then he went up and touched the bier they were carrying him on, and the bearers stood still. He said, 'Young man, I say to you, get up!'
Luke 7:16 They were all filled with awe and praised God. 'A great prophet has appeared among us,' they said. 'God has come to help his people.'
1 Kings 17:22 The LORD heard Elijah's cry, and the boy's life returned to him, and he lived.

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