Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Luke 7:14

"And he came nigh and touched the bier: and the bearers stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise." — Luke 7:14 (ASV)

Jesus risked ritual defilement by touching the coffin. He then did what would seem useless—he spoke to a dead person. When the young man returned to life, Jesus “gave him back to his mother,” words similar to those in 1 Kings 17:23 regarding Elijah and the widow.