Luke 17:16
and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
What's easy to miss is that Jesus's question, "Were not ten cleansed?" is immediately followed by the observation that this Samaritan, an outsider in the eyes of the Jews, was the only one who returned to give thanks. This highlights the profound irony and rebuke: the one considered least likely to honor God was the only one who did.
Jesus, passing through a region shared by Samaritans and Jews, encounters ten lepers who, due to their condition, must keep their distance. After Jesus sends them to show themselves to the priests, one leper, realizing he's been healed, turns back to Jesus, falling at his feet in gratitude. This man's deep thankfulness is highlighted by the fact that he was a Samaritan, a group generally despised by Jews, making his return all the more striking compared to the nine other healed lepers who did not return.
When healing came, ten men were made clean, but only one returned. And who was this one? A Samaritan, a people historically at odds with the Jews.
This story powerfully highlights that genuine gratitude and faith aren't confined by ethnicity or social barriers.
A Divine Reversal
The Jewish people, for whom Jesus’ ministry was primarily intended, often showed a striking lack of thankfulness. Nine Jewish lepers were healed, but they walked away without acknowledging Jesus.
The Outsider's Faith
In stark contrast, this Samaritan, an 'outsider' in the eyes of many Jews, demonstrates profound faith and thankfulness. He not only recognizes his healing but actively seeks out Jesus to express his deepest gratitude, falling at his feet in worship.
Jesus' Observation
Jesus himself notes this, asking, "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 isn't to diminish the healing of the nine, but to emphasize the remarkable faith of the one.
This Samaritan didn't just get his skin cleared; Jesus told him, 'Your faith has saved you.' What did that 'saving' mean beyond the physical cure?
The narrative contrasts the physical healing received by all ten with the deeper spiritual salvation experienced by the one.
Temporal vs. Eternal
While all ten lepers were cleansed from their physical affliction, Jesus' words to the Samaritan point to a more profound benefit. The healing of the nine was a temporal gift, a physical restoration.
Faith as the Key
For the Samaritan, his act of returning, falling at Jesus' feet, and giving thanks was evidence of a living faith. Jesus declared, 'Your faith has saved you.' This suggests that his faith connected him to something eternal – a relationship with God through Jesus.
Understand the original words
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 text highlights the deep animosity between Jews and Samaritans, making the Samaritan's return to thank Jesus even more remarkable, especially when compared to the nine Jewish lepers who did not return.
c. 2nd century BC - 1st century AD
Jewish-Samaritan Hostility
A deep-seated animosity existed between Jews and Samaritans, stemming from religious and historical differences. This often prevented them from interacting socially or even traveling through each other's territories.
Early 1st century AD
Jesus' Ministry in Galilee and Samaria
Jesus traveled and ministered in both Jewish and Samaritan regions, challenging the prevailing social and religious barriers of the time.
Early 1st century AD— this verse
Jesus Travels Towards Jerusalem
Jesus was on a journey towards Jerusalem, a significant pilgrimage route for Jews. His path took him through the region of Samaria, where he encountered the ten lepers.
Early 1st century AD
Cleansing of the Ten Lepers
Jesus miraculously healed ten lepers who called out to him. However, only one of them, a Samaritan, returned to express his gratitude.
This passage highlights the historical animosity between Jews and Samaritans, making the Samaritan leper's act of gratitude even more striking in contrast to the ungrateful Jews.
Leviticus 14:2-7Jesus sends the cleansed lepers to the priests to fulfill the Mosaic Law for purification, showing that even in His miracles, Jesus affirmed the Old Testament commands, which the priests would oversee.
Psalm 103:1-5This Psalm is a powerful expression of thanksgiving for God's forgiveness and healing, echoing the spirit of the Samaritan leper who 'fell on his face... giving him thanks' for his complete restoration.
Romans 1:21This verse describes humanity's tendency to become futile in thinking and have darkened hearts, failing to give thanks to God, which directly parallels the ingratitude of the nine unthankful lepers.
1 Corinthians 1:27Paul speaks of how God often chooses the weak and foolish things of the world to shame the wise and strong, which resonates with Jesus highlighting the grateful Samaritan leper, an outsider, over the ungrateful Jewish lepers.
bengelLuke 17:16: "And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan."
Luke 17:16 . Σαμαρείτης , a Samaritan ) Luke 17:11 [Belonging to Samaria , through the borders of which Jesus was ‘passing’].
calvinLuke 17:11-21: "And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee."
- And it happened, while he was going to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and of Galilee. 12. And as he was entering into a certain village, there met him ten men, lepers, who stood at a distance; 13. And, lifting up their voice, said, Jesus, Master, take pity on us. 14. When he saw them, he said, Go, show yourselves to the priests. And it happened that…
What's easy to miss is that Jesus's question, "Were not ten cleansed?" is immediately followed by the observation that this Samaritan, an outsider in the eyes of the Jews, was the only one who returned to give thanks. This highlights the profound irony and rebuke: the one considered least likely to honor God was the only one who did.
Jesus, passing through a region shared by Samaritans and Jews, encounters ten lepers who, due to their condition, must keep their distance. After Jesus sends them to show themselves to the priests, one leper, realizing he's been healed, turns back to Jesus, falling at his feet in gratitude. This man's deep thankfulness is highlighted by the fact that he was a Samaritan, a group generally despised by Jews, making his return all the more striking compared to the nine other healed lepers who did not return.
Jesus, passing through a region shared by Samaritans and Jews, encounters ten lepers who, due to their condition, must keep their distance. After Jesus sends them to show themselves to the priests, one leper, realizing he's been healed, turns back to Jesus, falling at his feet in gratitude. This man's deep thankfulness is highlighted by the fact that he was a Samaritan, a group generally despised by Jews, making his return all the more striking compared to the nine other healed lepers who did not return.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Luke 17:16 is available in the Sola app.
The Gift of God
This wasn't just about being cured; it was about being recognized, valued, and brought into the fold of God's redemptive plan. His faith sanctified the gift of healing, making it a pathway to salvation, not just a physical cure.
"and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan." — What's easy to miss is that Jesus's question, "Were not ten cleansed?" is immediately followed by the observation that this Samaritan, an outsider in the eyes of the Jews, was the only one who re…
