Nain – The Village in Galilee Where Jesus Raised the Widow's Son

Nain – The Village Where Jesus Raised the Widow's Son

Located in the beautiful lower Galilee some 8 miles southeast of Nazareth, Nain is a small Arab village, also spelled Nein, Nin, or Naim, that holds a unique place in Christian history. This small village hosts a church commemorating one of Jesus' most touching miracles, the resurrection of a widow's only son.

The miracle at Nain, occurred when Jesus approached the village and encountered a funeral procession for a widow's only son. Moved with compassion, Jesus touched the bier, halted the procession, and said, "Young man, I say to you, arise." The young man immediately sat up and began to speak, astounding the crowd. This act brought him back to life and offered hope and faith to those present, affirming Jesus' divine authority and compassion.

Nain in the New Testament

The most important mention of a town called Nain in the bible southwest of Capernaum is in the scene in the Gospel of Luke of one of Jesus' miracles of giving life. It immediately follows the account of Jesus' healing of the centurion's servant at Capernaum. Jesus and the disciples approached the city gate of Nain as a funeral was about to take place:

“When the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, 'Do not weep.' Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still. And He said, "Young man, I say to you, arise.' So he that was dead sat up and began to speak. And He presented him to his mother.” (Luke chapter 7:13–15)

The reaction was immediate and powerful:

“Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, 'A great prophet has risen among us'; and, 'God has visited His people.'” (Luke 7:16)

This miracle of Jesus represents the manifestation of His divine authority. Also, it brings continuity with the Old Testament story of Elisha raising the son of the Shunammite woman (2 Kings 4:32–37), connecting the people's faith to their spiritual heritage.

Church of the Resurrection of the Widow's Son in Nain

The Church of the Resurrection of the Widow's Son in Nain stands as a humble yet profound testament to one of Jesus' most compassionate miracles. The Franciscans built it in 1880, this modest church commemorates the moment Jesus restored life to the only son of a grieving widow. Nestled in the heart of a small Arab village, the church’s simple architecture reflects the solemnity of the miracle it honors. Inside, visitors can find a peaceful atmosphere enhanced by two paintings illustrating the biblical event, as well as a stone coffin symbolizing the miracle of resurrection. Though the church remains locked most of the time, it is accessible by prior arrangement, offering pilgrims and visitors an intimate space for reflection and prayer. This church, cared for by a local family, connects the past with the present, making it a meaningful stop for those retracing the footsteps of Jesus in Galilee.

Archaeological Finds in Nain: Connecting History to Faith

Nain is readily identified as the modern Arab village of Nein, which sits in a picturesque setting on the northwest slope of a hill some 1½ miles WSW from Mt. Tabor. Because of its obvious New Testament connection, it has no early tradition of pilgrimage or cultus. However, this was almost certainly because of the region's generally inhospitable environment, sparsely inhabited by Christians throughout history.

Excavation at Nain has brought to light only a few items from the Roman and Byzantine periods, but ruins from a Mamluk-age building from the 13th to 14th century CE exist. Unfortunately, no significant features from the biblical period—at least from the 1st century—have been excavated so far, such as the village gate or houses. However, nearby Shunem (modern Sulam), on the other hand, has produced archaeological remains relating to the biblical period of this region. 

Elisha and Jesus the Saviour: Miracles Across Centuries 

The miracle in Nain—the raising of the widow's son by Jesus—finds one of its deepest Old Testament counterparts in the raising of the Shunammite woman's son done by the prophet Elisha. Indeed, these two accounts bear striking features of similarity that both strongly underscore the compassionate element of God and His rule over death. By resurrecting the son of the widow at Nain, Jesus reconfirmed not only His identity as a prophet but also raised to a higher plane the ministry He had undertaken about the prophetic tradition in Israel.

This connection impresses on the minds of the faithful, showing continuity within the Old and New Testaments. This miracle of Elisha prefigures a great authority that was to be manifested by Jesus, pointing to His character as the fulfillment of all divine promises. These visits to Nain and its environs allow pilgrims to trace this spiritual continuity, further informing their understanding of the events described in the Bible. The parallel stories of Elisha and Jesus illustrate something of the shared heritage of the Jewish and Christian faiths, drawing together in a powerful connection both the ancient prophets and the Messiah.

Visiting Nain Today

For those who wish to, quite literally, walk along the steps of Lord Jesus Christ, The ancient town of Nain is a site reserved for profound and quiet thoughts. The village of Nain is often toured among the general Christian sites throughout northern Israel, at times in combination with other attractions such as Nazareth, Mount Tabor, and Shunem.

• Location: Nain is about 30 minutes by car from Nazareth or Tiberias.
• Access: The church is normally locked, but prior arrangements, especially for groups, can be made.
• Timing: The best time to see the site is during the morning hours, as a visitor gets a serene climate that aids in reflecting on the resurrection story of rebirth and mercy.

How to Visit Nain on a Christian Tour

Nain is one of the most important Lower Galilee Christian sites for any Christian pilgrim who comes to northern Israel. Most tours that originate in cities like Jerusalem or Tel Aviv include a visit to this holy site during a day trip to Galilee. Travelers can see, among other things:

• Nazareth: The city where Jesus spent His childhood.
• Mount Tabor: Traditionally identified as the Mount of Transfiguration.
• Shunem or Sulam: Another place in the Bible associated with resurrection miracles.
• Mount Gilboa - View across the plain to Carmel.
• Samaria - The mountains of the West Bank.
• Jezreel Valley - Armageddon, the last battle between the light and darkness.
• Mount Hermon - The White Peak of the Golan Heights.

A guided tour will more easily enable visitors to understand and appreciate the historical and spiritual significance of Nain and help bring the stories of the Gospel into reality.

Why Nain Deserves Your Attention

Nain may not boast magnific or extensive ruins and archaeological artifacts among Christian pilgrimage sites in Israel, but it has a timeless story about the son of a widow that speaks volumes to the hearts of believers. It is a testimony to Jesus' empathetic heart and His divine power over life and death. A visit to Nain offers more than just a walk into history, here you can see the house of the widow and connect to the mother's only son true story.

The tomb of the dead man that Jesus met may not exist since Jesus raised the young man and Luke's gospel brings the story to life.

Book a Tour of Christian Pilgrimage Sites in Lower Galilee and Visit Nain Where Jesus Raised the Widow's Son From the Dead