Jesus raised a widow’s son from the dead in Luke 7.11-17.  It is not as well-known as the raising of Lazarus, but the episode is filled with the glory of God. 

The funeral procession was headed to the gravesite just as Jesus arrived.   This is another case of Jesus’ perfect not-coincidental timing.  He had compassion on the woman, a widow who had lost her only son; the circumstances of her life would be very difficult.

Jesus touched the funeral bier, unafraid of the “uncleanness” attached to such an action.  He had already dealt with lepers and in the next chapter heals a demoniac and a bleeding woman.  His actions pointed out the relative importance of the law compared to himself; he came not to abolish the law but to fulfill it.

This event early in his ministry helped people understand that something very out of the ordinary was happening.  “Fear seized them all.”  And, appropriately, “they glorified God,” calling Jesus a great prophet and thanking God for visiting them.  The news of this miracle traveled fast, partly because he had brought a large crowd along; they were all witnesses.

Luke the writer helps later generations of Jews to understand the significance of Jesus as prophet.  The phrase “Jesus gave him to his mother” in verse 14 is exactly the wording of 1 Kings 17.23, when Elijah raised a different widow’s son.