Luke 17:15-16
Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The remarkable part is that this Samaritan, an outsider by Jewish standards, immediately recognized and vocalized his deep gratitude to God, while the nine Jewish lepers did not. This highlights that genuine spiritual understanding and thankfulness aren't confined by ethnicity or religious affiliation; they spring from a heart truly moved by God's mercy.
Jesus has just encountered ten lepers who cried out to Him for mercy. He instructed them to go show themselves to the priests, and as they went, they were miraculously healed. This verse focuses on one of those ten men, a Samaritan, who, upon realizing his healing, immediately turned back to Jesus to give thanks and praise God.
When Jesus told the ten lepers to 'go show yourselves to the priests,' it was a directive for them to be declared officially clean. But for one man, this obedience became a springboard for something more.
This particular leper didn't just follow instructions; he felt the why behind the healing. While the others likely continued on their way to the priests, he recognized the divine power that had acted upon him. His immediate return, 'praising God with a loud voice,' shows a heart overflowing with spontaneous thanks, prioritizing the giver of the gift over the prescribed process. This wasn't just about being declared clean by religious authorities; it was about acknowledging the Great Benefactor directly.
The Order of Thanks
Jesus himself points out the remarkable nature of this leper's return, calling him a 'stranger.' What makes this man's gratitude so noteworthy?
Jesus highlights a profound truth when he asks, 'Were not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? None are found that have returned to give glory to God except this stranger.' The nine who were healed were likely Israelites, part of God's chosen people. Yet, it was a Samaritan—a group often viewed with suspicion and prejudice by the Jews—who demonstrated true piety and thankfulness.
A Contrast in Hearts
Understand the original words
doxazo · Greek Verb
The act of expressing adoration, honor, and thanksgiving to the Creator for His character and works. It is a central duty and response of those who have experienced God's grace.
iaomai · Greek Verb
The restoration of health, wholeness, or soundness; in a biblical context, it often points to God's restorative power over the effects of the fall, encompassing physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
piptō · Greek Verb
To prostrate oneself; an act of deep reverence, submission, or worship, often used to show humility before God or a superior.
Samareitēs · Greek Noun
An inhabitant of Samaria; in the New Testament, they were considered social and religious outcasts by the Jews, often representing those on the margins who receive grace.
The stark contrast between the one grateful Samaritan and the nine ungrateful Jewish lepers powerfully illustrates Jesus' ongoing mission to break down ethnic and religious barriers, revealing that true piety can be found in unexpected places.
Early 1st century AD
Jesus travels through Samaria and Galilee
Jesus is on his journey towards Jerusalem, passing through the region that encompassed both Samaritan and Jewish territories.
Early 1st century AD
Ten lepers encounter Jesus
Ten men suffering from leprosy, forced to live apart from society, call out to Jesus for help as he approaches their village.
Early 1st century AD
Jesus instructs lepers to see priests
Jesus tells the ten lepers to go and present themselves to the priests, a required step for cleansing according to Mosaic Law.
Early 1st century AD— this verse
Lepers are healed on their way
As the lepers obey Jesus and travel to the priests, they discover they have been miraculously cleansed of their disease.
This verse speaks of joy and thanksgiving, mirroring the leper's loud praise and evident relief upon realizing his healing.
Psalm 103:1-3This passage is a powerful exhortation to praise God for His forgiveness and healing, much like the Samaritan's immediate and vocal glorification of God.
1 Thessalonians 5:18This verse instructs believers to give thanks in all circumstances, reflecting the leper's immediate gratitude, which stands in contrast to the ingratitude of the other nine.
1 Samuel 2:1-2Hannah's prayer of praise after bearing a son shows deep exultation and glorification of God in response to His answered prayer, similar to the leper's overwhelming response to his miraculous healing.
Romans 1:20This verse states that God's invisible attributes are seen through creation, implying that great miracles like this healing reveal God's power and should lead to His glorification, which this one leper did.
barnesLuke 17:15: "And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,"
One of them ... - This man, sensible of the power of God and grateful for his mercies, returned to express his gratitude to God for his goodness. Instead of obeying "at once" the "letter" of the command, he "first" expressed his thanks to God and to his Great Benefactor. There is no evidence, however, that he did not, "after" he had given thanks to God, and had poured out his joy at…
pooleLuke 17:15: "And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,"
Ver. 15,16. It is most probable that this leper first showed himself to the priest, according to the commandment and the direction of our Saviour, and then returned to give our Saviour thanks. Some think that this glorifying God here mentioned, and his giving thanks to Christ, signify the same thing. I doubt it, because nothing appeareth from this story sufficient to convince us that…
The remarkable part is that this Samaritan, an outsider by Jewish standards, immediately recognized and vocalized his deep gratitude to God, while the nine Jewish lepers did not. This highlights that genuine spiritual understanding and thankfulness aren't confined by ethnicity or religious affiliation; they spring from a heart truly moved by God's mercy.
Jesus has just encountered ten lepers who cried out to Him for mercy. He instructed them to go show themselves to the priests, and as they went, they were miraculously healed. This verse focuses on one of those ten men, a Samaritan, who, upon realizing his healing, immediately turned back to Jesus to give thanks and praise God.
Jesus has just encountered ten lepers who cried out to Him for mercy. He instructed them to go show themselves to the priests, and as they went, they were miraculously healed. This verse focuses on one of those ten men, a Samaritan, who, upon realizing his healing, immediately turned back to Jesus to give thanks and praise God.
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When Jesus addresses the Samaritan, he says, 'Thy faith hath saved thee.' This goes beyond a physical cure. What deeper reality is at play?
Jesus distinguishes between the healing of the body and the salvation of the soul. While all ten lepers were physically cleansed, only one truly received the deeper gift because of his faith. His act of returning and praising God wasn't just an expression of thanks; it was the outward evidence of an inward transformation.
The Nature of True Salvation
Early 1st century AD
One Samaritan leper returns to give thanks
One of the healed lepers, a Samaritan, recognizes the divine power behind his healing and returns to Jesus, praising God loudly.
Early 1st century AD
Jesus questions the absence of other lepers
Jesus notes the Samaritan's gratitude and laments that only this 'stranger' returned to give glory to God, highlighting the ingratitude of the other nine.
"Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan." — The remarkable part is that this Samaritan, an outsider by Jewish standards, immediately recognized and vocalized his deep gratitude to God, while the nine Jewish lepers did not. This highlights that…
