John Calvin Commentary Luke 7:12

"Now when he drew near to the gate of the city, behold, there was carried out one that was dead, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her." — Luke 7:12 (ASV)

The only son of his mother. The reason which led Christ to restore the young man to life was that He saw the widow deprived of her only son, and had compassion on her: for He did not hold back His favor until someone requested it, as He did on other occasions; but anticipated the prayers of all, and restored the son to his mother, by whom nothing of this sort was expected. We have here a striking emblem of His freely bestowed compassion in raising us from death to life. By touching the coffin, perhaps He intended to show that He would by no means shrink from death and the grave in order to obtain life for us. He not only condescends to touch us with His hand, in order to quicken us when we are dead, but, so that He might raise us to heaven, He Himself descends into the grave.