The miraculous event took place in the village of Nain, situated two miles south of Mount Tabor. It marks the initial occurrence among three instances in the canonical gospels where Jesus performed the extraordinary act of raising the dead. The other two incidents involve the resurrection of Jairus’ daughter and Lazarus.
- Location: Village of Nain, two miles south of Mount Tabor
- Miracles of Resurrection:
- Raising from the dead in Nain
- Raising of Jairus’ daughter
- Raising of Lazarus
Contents
Who was the first person Jesus raised from the dead?
The initial individual resurrected by Jesus was the son of the widow of Nain (Luke 7:11–17). As Jesus neared the town of Nain, he encountered a funeral procession exiting the city, with the deceased being the only son of a grieving widow. Moved with compassion, Jesus comforted the woman, saying, “Don’t cry” (verse 13).
- Biblical Reference: Luke 7:11–17
- Character: Son of the widow of Nain
- Compassionate Act: Comforting the grieving widow and resurrecting her son
How many people did Jesus raise from the dead?
During his earthly ministry, Jesus performed the miraculous act of raising four individuals from the dead:
- Widow’s Son in Nain
- Biblical Reference: Luke 7:15
- Location: Village of Nain
- Jairus’ Daughter
- Biblical Reference: Mark 5:42
- Description: 12-year-old daughter of Jairus, a synagogue ruler
- Lazarus in Bethany
- Biblical Reference: John 11:44
- Description: Brother of Mary and Martha, resurrected after four days of being dead
Why did Jesus take up his life again?
Jesus reclaimed his life from the grave in accordance with the authority bestowed upon him by God the Father. The Father granted Jesus the power to resurrect, as expressed in John 5:21–22: “As the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will.” This divine charge underscores Jesus’ ability to overcome death and fulfill the Father’s will.
- Biblical Reference: John 5:21–22
- Authority Source: God the Father
- Purpose: Fulfilling divine will and demonstrating power over death
Who were raised to life after Jesus was resurrected?
Following Jesus’ resurrection, a remarkable event occurred as detailed in Matthew 27:52–53. Numerous holy people’s bodies were raised to life, emerging from their tombs and appearing in the holy city to many witnesses. These resurrected saints served as living testimonies in Jerusalem, attesting to the unique life that Jesus alone can bestow.
- Biblical Reference: Matthew 27:52–53
- Event: Resurrection of many holy people after Jesus’ resurrection
- Witnesses: Appeared to many people in the holy city
- Purpose: Testifying to the life granted by Jesus
Who are the dead people Jesus raised?
Jesus performed three notable instances of raising people from the dead:
- Ruler’s Daughter
- Biblical Reference: Matthew 9:23–25
- Widow’s Son
- Biblical Reference: Luke 7:11–17
- Lazarus, the Friend
- Biblical Reference: John 11:38–44
These accounts highlight Jesus’ extraordinary ability to bring the deceased back to life, demonstrating his compassion and divine authority.
- Total Instances: Three
- Diverse Cases: Ruler’s daughter, Widow’s son, and Friend Lazarus
- Biblical Confirmation: Matthew, Luke, and John
Who was the child that Jesus raised from the dead?
The child raised from the dead by Jesus is Jairus’ daughter. This miraculous event is documented in the synoptic Gospels, specifically in Mark 5:21–43, Matthew 9:18–26, and Luke 8:40–56. The narrative is intricately connected with the healing of a woman suffering from bleeding. Jairus’ daughter stands as a testament to Jesus’ power over death and his compassion towards those in need.
- Biblical Reference: Mark 5:21–43, Matthew 9:18–26, Luke 8:40–56
- Character: Jairus’ daughter
- Context: Miracle intertwined with the healing of a bleeding woman
What did Jesus rise from the dead?
The resurrection of Jesus, conveyed in Biblical Greek as ἀνάστασις τοῦ Ἰησοῦ, is the fundamental Christian belief that God restored Jesus to life on the third day following his crucifixion. This divine act marked the beginning or restoration of Jesus’ exalted life as the Christ and Lord. The resurrection is a pivotal event in Christian theology, symbolizing victory over death and the foundation of faith.
- Biblical Reference: ἀνάστασις τοῦ Ἰησοῦ (Biblical Greek)
- Timing: Third day after crucifixion
- Significance: Commencement or restoration of Jesus’ exalted life as Christ and Lord
- Theological Importance: Victory over death, foundational to Christian faith
How many resurrections did Jesus perform?
Jesus performed several notable resurrections during his ministry, demonstrating divine power over death. Three instances are explicitly recorded in the Gospels:
- Ruler’s Daughter
- Biblical Reference: Matthew 9:23–25
- Widow’s Son in Nain
- Biblical Reference: Luke 7:11–17
- Lazarus
- Biblical Reference: John 11:38–44
These miraculous acts highlight Jesus’ authority and compassion, showcasing his ability to bring the dead back to life.
- Total Resurrections: Three
- Demonstrated Power: Over death
- Biblical Confirmation: Matthew, Luke, and John
Who did God raise from the dead in the Old Testament?
In the Old Testament, three explicit instances of resurrection are documented:
- Elijah’s Miracle
- Biblical Reference: 1 Kings 17:17-24
- Event: Elijah’s prayer leads to God raising a young boy from death.
- Elisha and the Woman of Shunem
- Biblical Reference: 2 Kings 4:32-37
- Context: Elisha, having foretold the birth of the Woman of Shunem’s son, later raises him from the dead.
These accounts showcase instances where God intervened to bring individuals back to life, demonstrating His power over death in the Old Testament.
- Total Instances: Three
- Prophets: Elijah and Elisha
- God’s Intervention: Miraculous resurrections in response to prayer and prophecy
Did Jesus raise Lazarus from the dead?
Yes, Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead in a notable miracle documented exclusively in the Gospel of John (John 11:1–44) in the New Testament. According to this account, Jesus resurrected Lazarus of Bethany four days after his entombment. It is worth noting that this miracle is not found in the commonly accepted Gospel of Mark but appears in the disputed Secret Gospel of Mark, a fragment of an extended version of the Gospel of Mark.
- Biblical Reference: John 11:1–44
- Resurrection Timing: Four days after entombment
- Additional Reference: Mentioned in the Secret Gospel of Mark
Why did Jesus not heal James?
In response to Little James’ question about why he hasn’t healed him, Jesus expresses trust in him and provides an explanation. Jesus acknowledges his ability to heal Little James, as he has done for many others, stating that it would indeed make for a compelling story. However, Jesus chooses not to heal him at this moment, emphasizing that there are already numerous individuals capable of sharing such healing stories.
- Dialogue: Little James questions Jesus about healing
- Reasoning: Jesus trusts Little James
- Explanation: Healing would create a compelling story, but there are already many similar testimonies
Reflecting on Jesus’ Miracles of Resurrection
In conclusion, the miraculous acts of Jesus in raising individuals from the dead are pivotal narratives within the Christian tradition. Examining instances such as the raising of Jairus’ daughter, the widow’s son in Nain, and the remarkable resurrection of Lazarus illuminates the compassion, divine authority, and transformative power attributed to Jesus. These events not only serve as testaments to his divine nature but also convey profound messages of hope, faith, and the triumph over death. The diverse stories of those raised from the dead contribute to the rich tapestry of the Gospel narratives, inspiring believers across generations with the profound significance of Jesus’ life and ministry.
