November 9, 2025
Luke 17:11-19 ESV
On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. 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?” And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”
Discussion Questions:
This week we would like to explore some of the details of this episode of Jesus’s ministry.
1) What is the difference between being “cleansed” (v14) and being “made well” (v19)?
2) What role does gratitude play in this difference?
3) Why is this man’s ethnicity singled out?
Discussion Summary:
The leprosy mentioned in Luke 17 is not necessarily the leprosy we know today, otherwise called Hansen’s Disease. Leprosy in the Bible (Leviticus 13) refers to a skin condition that was considered contagious. It could affect people, buildings and cloth. The description of leprosy in Numbers 12:12 shows that it could be quite severe. The diagnosis of “leprosy” made the person unclean and required them to live outside of the community. Leprosy became a symbol of sin which grows as it is untreated, has a contagious affect, and separates one from God and the people of God. The 10 men in this episode in Luke are affected by the physical condition, but the symbolism is unmistakable.
All ten are “cleansed” or purified of the disease. But only the one who returned to give thanks is “made well” or saved. The cleansing reflected the healing on the outside, but the saving reflected the internal healing of alienation from God. At first the men “stood at a distance.” The one who turned back came up to Jesus and fell at his feet. He praised God, recognizing that through Jesus’ healing power he was able to have his praises heard by God.
Why was this man the only one who returned? We can surmise that the ceremonial aspect of the healing process (verse 14) filled the minds of the other 9 who were Jews. The Samaritan man was not in the same position. Perhaps he was unsure if he would be included in the healing of the group because he was not one of them. His acknowledgement that this was unmerited favor by returning to give thanks reminds us of Luke 7:47, 48, ”Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven –for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” This man’s gratitude arose from his humble heart which was ready to be grounded in full faith and full salvation (James 4:8-10).
As an outsider, this Samaritan discovered that God rewards faith where ever it exists. All Christians should have this same gratitude of heart for the cleansing we have received (Hebrews 12:28).
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