Luke 17:15-18
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. Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The most striking thing here is that this Samaritan, an outsider to the Jewish community, immediately recognizes the divine power at work and prioritizes giving glory to God over completing the ritual commanded by Jesus. His loud praise and immediate return show a profound, spontaneous gratitude that sets him apart, highlighting how genuine thankfulness isn't bound by tradition or outward observance.
As Jesus travels towards Jerusalem, he encounters ten lepers who call out to him for mercy. He instructs them to go and show themselves to the priests, and on their way, they are miraculously healed. This verse highlights the moment when one of the now-healed lepers, a Samaritan, recognizes the miracle and immediately returns to praise God with a loud voice.
When faced with a miracle, what's your first instinct? This healing dramatically interrupted the lepers' journey, but one man's response was immediate and powerful.
Jesus told the ten lepers to "Go, show yourselves to the priests." This was the prescribed way to officially declare healing according to the Law (Leviticus 14:2). However, as they went, they were healed. One leper, upon realizing the miraculous restoration, didn't wait to complete the journey or the official process. He immediately turned back to Jesus. His overwhelming gratitude propelled him to praise God before fulfilling the outward requirement.
This highlights a crucial point: outward obedience is important, but an inner, spontaneous gratitude to God for His mercy can and should come first. It's a recognition that the act of healing itself, the direct encounter with divine power, demanded an immediate response of worship.
Ten men were healed, but only one returned. What made this outsider's response so remarkable in Jesus' eyes, and what does it reveal about true faith?
The Gospel writer points out that the one who returned was a Samaritan. In that cultural and religious climate, Samaritans were often viewed with suspicion and disdain by the Jews. Yet, this Samaritan displayed a profound spiritual insight and gratitude that the nine Jewish lepers lacked.
Jesus himself highlights this disparity: "Were not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? None are found that have returned to give glory to God except this stranger." (Luke 17:17-18). This wasn't just about politeness; it was about recognizing the source of the miracle. While the others saw a physical healing, this man likely perceived Jesus as more than just a healer – perhaps as the Messiah himself. His faith, described by Jesus as the thing that "saved" him (Luke 17:19), was active and demonstrative.
This concept challenges us to consider whether our faith is merely intellectual or if it compels us to action, especially when faced with God's abundant mercies. True faith doesn't just receive; it responds with deep thankfulness and acknowledges God's power and person.
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 narrative vividly contrasts the profound gratitude of a Samaritan, an outsider to Jewish society, with the ingratitude of the nine Jewish lepers. This highlights a recurring theme in Jesus' ministry: true faith and thankfulness can be found in unexpected places, often surpassing the piety of those with greater religious privilege.
c. 1st century AD
Jesus' Ministry in Galilee and Samaria
Jesus traveled and ministered in the regions of Galilee and Samaria, teaching, healing, and performing miracles.
c. 1st century AD— this verse
Jesus Encounters Ten Lepers
As Jesus entered a village, ten lepers, who were required by law to remain separate, called out to him from a distance for mercy.
c. 1st century AD
The Lepers' Command and Healing
Jesus instructed the lepers to go and show themselves to the priests, and as they went, they were cleansed from their leprosy.
c. 1st century AD
One Leper Returns in Gratitude
Upon realizing he was healed, one of the ten, a Samaritan, turned back, praising God loudly and falling at Jesus' feet in thanks.
This passage shows Naaman the Syrian, also a foreigner, miraculously healed of leprosy by God's power through Elisha, and his immediate, grateful response of glorifying God.
Psalm 107:21-22This Psalm directly calls for thanks and praise to God for His wondrous works and the deliverance He provides, mirroring the leper's action of glorifying God aloud.
Romans 1:20-21Paul discusses how humanity, despite knowing God, failed to honor Him or give thanks, leading to futile thinking; this passage highlights the spiritual significance of the leper's gratitude in contrast to general ingratitude.
1 Thessalonians 5:18This verse states that believers should give thanks in all circumstances, emphasizing thanksgiving as a core element of faith and obedience, which the one healed leper exemplified.
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 most striking thing here is that this Samaritan, an outsider to the Jewish community, immediately recognizes the divine power at work and prioritizes giving glory to God over completing the ritual commanded by Jesus. His loud praise and immediate return show a profound, spontaneous gratitude that sets him apart, highlighting how genuine thankfulness isn't bound by tradition or outward observance.
As Jesus travels towards Jerusalem, he encounters ten lepers who call out to him for mercy. He instructs them to go and show themselves to the priests, and on their way, they are miraculously healed. This verse highlights the moment when one of the now-healed lepers, a Samaritan, recognizes the miracle and immediately returns to praise God with a loud voice.
As Jesus travels towards Jerusalem, he encounters ten lepers who call out to him for mercy. He instructs them to go and show themselves to the priests, and on their way, they are miraculously healed. This verse highlights the moment when one of the now-healed lepers, a Samaritan, recognizes the miracle and immediately returns to praise God with a loud voice.
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katharizō · Greek Verb
To be purified or made clean, often used in the context of leprosy to denote both physical healing and ritual restoration to the community.
doxa · Greek Noun
An expression of gratitude or acknowledgment of God's glory and works; it signifies giving God the honor due to Him for His benefits.
allogenēs · Greek Noun
One belonging to another nation or race; a term often used to denote an outsider, highlighting the inclusion of all nations in the scope of God's mercy.
c. 1st century AD
Jesus Questions the Nine
Jesus noted the absence of the other nine cleansed lepers, highlighting that only the 'stranger' (the Samaritan) returned to give glory to God.
"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. Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the ni…" — The most striking thing here is that this Samaritan, an outsider to the Jewish community, immediately recognizes the divine power at work and prioritizes giving glory to God over completing the rit…
