The Widow's Son
This was the very first image of the series that Iain painted. The obvious image to portray from this scene would be a dramatic picture of Jesus raising this man from the dead, but in our culture, particularly in a city centre context, death is usually hidden in hospital.
However, we do regularly see signs of death in the city centre – flowers are often attached to railings where a sudden death has occurred, football shirts are hung up, candles are lit and a temporary shrine is created. In this image is the suggestion of death and resurrection: the flowers have wilted – all but one, which is alive.
Jesus raises a widow’s son
Soon afterwards, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him. As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out – the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, ‘Don’t cry.’
Then he went up and touched the bier they were carrying him on, and the bearers stood still. He said, ‘Young man, I say to you, get up!’ The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.
They were all filled with awe and praised God. ‘A great prophet has appeared among us,’ they said. ‘God has come to help his people.’ This news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding country.
Luke 7: 11-17 (NIVUK)
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The Widow's Son: Gospel Sketchbook Download
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The Widow's Son: Painting Handout Download
This study considers both the Biblical text and the painting on which it is based, encouraging participants to think about how to apply the Biblical text to their context.
The Widow's Son: Bible Study Download
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The Portrait Gospel
The Gospel of Luke uniquely illustrated by Iain Campbell
The Portrait Gospel is uniquely illustrated by Iain Campbell. By using modern day Glaswegians as his models, Iain’s compelling paintings bring 21st century life to the words of a first century disciple.
Copies of The Portrait Gospel are available to buy in person from St George’s Tron Church, Glasgow.
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