11And it came to pass, in the going toward Jerusalem, that he himself was passing through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. [17:12] And as he was entering a certain village, ten men with severe skin diseases met him, who stood afar off. [17:13] And they themselves lifted up their voice, saying, "Jesus, Master, have compassion on us!" [17:14] And having seen them, he said to them, "Having gone, show yourselves to the priests." And it came to pass, in their going, they were cleansed. [17:15] One then of them, having seen that he was healed, turned back with a loud voice glorifying God, [17:16] and fell on his face at his feet, giving thanks to him — and he himself was a Samaritan. [17:17] Having answered then, Jesus said, "Were not the ten cleansed? But the nine — where?" [17:18] Were there none found having turned back to give glory to God except this foreigner? [17:19] And he said to him, "Having risen up, go forth; your faith has cured you."
LUK 17:11-19
The Ten Lepers
In the world it was spoken into
In first-century Jewish society, leprosy was not merely a physical ailment but a condition that rendered one ritually unclean, excluding them from communal and religious life. Lepers were required to live apart from society and announce their presence to avoid contaminating others (Leviticus 13:45-46). The ten lepers in this passage, standing 'afar off,' reflect this social and religious marginalization. Their plea to Jesus as 'Master' acknowledges his authority, likely rooted in his reputation as a healer. Jesus' instruction to 'show yourselves to the priests' aligns with Levitical law, where priests certified cleansing from leprosy (Leviticus 14:2-3). The Samaritan's return to give thanks highlights the cultural tension between Jews and Samaritans, as Samaritans were often viewed as outsiders. His act of falling at Jesus' feet and glorifying God underscores the recognition of divine intervention in his healing, transcending ethnic boundaries.
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How other translations render this
LUK 17:11
- KJV
- And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.
- BSB
- While Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem, He was passing between Samaria and Galilee.
- Koinōnos
- And it came to pass, in the going toward Jerusalem, that he himself was passing through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.
LUK 17:12
- KJV
- And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:
- BSB
- As He entered one of the villages, He was met by ten lepers. They stood at a distance
- Koinōnos
- And as he was entering a certain village, ten men with severe skin diseases met him, who stood afar off.
LUK 17:13
- KJV
- And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.
- BSB
- and raised their voices, shouting, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”
- Koinōnos
- And they themselves lifted up their voice, saying, "Jesus, Master, have compassion on us!
LUK 17:14
- KJV
- And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.
- BSB
- When Jesus saw them, He said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they were on their way, they were cleansed.
- Koinōnos
- And having seen them, he said to them, "Having gone, show yourselves to the priests." And it came to pass, in their going, they were cleansed.
LUK 17:15
- KJV
- And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,
- BSB
- When one of them saw that he was healed, he came back, praising God in a loud voice.
- Koinōnos
- One then of them, having seen that he was healed, turned back with a loud voice glorifying God,
LUK 17:16
- KJV
- And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.
- BSB
- He fell facedown at Jesusʼ feet in thanksgiving to Him—and he was a Samaritan.
- Koinōnos
- and fell on his face at his feet, giving thanks to him — and he himself was a Samaritan.
LUK 17:17
- KJV
- And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?
- BSB
- “Were not all ten cleansed?” Jesus asked. “Where then are the other nine?
- Koinōnos
- Having answered then, Jesus said, "Were not the ten cleansed? But the nine — where?
LUK 17:18
- KJV
- There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.
- BSB
- Was no one found except this foreigner to return and give glory to God?”
- Koinōnos
- Were there none found having turned back to give glory to God except this foreigner?
LUK 17:19
- KJV
- And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.
- BSB
- Then Jesus said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well!”
- Koinōnos
- And he said to him, "Having risen up, go forth; your faith has cured you.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
LUK 17:12
- ten:The word translated 'lepers' here refers to individuals suffering from a variety of severe skin diseases, not exclusively what we now call Hansen's disease. These conditions rendered them ritually unclean and socially ostracized.
LUK 17:13
- Master,:The term translated 'Master' is a respectful address, often used for a superior or teacher, implying authority and deference. It's a title of respect for someone in charge.
LUK 17:14
- they were cleansed.:The word translated 'cleansed' carries a dual meaning of both physical healing and ritual purification. For those with skin diseases, healing meant they could be reintegrated into society and temple worship.
LUK 17:19
- has cured:The word translated 'has cured' often means 'to save' or 'to make whole' in a broader sense, encompassing physical healing, spiritual salvation, and restoration to well-being. It implies a complete deliverance.