Luke 17:11 - Printer Friendly

ESV: On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee.

NIV: Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee.

NASB: While He was on the way to Jerusalem, He was passing between Samaria and Galilee.

CSB: While traveling to Jerusalem, he passed between Samaria and Galilee.

NLT: As Jesus continued on toward Jerusalem, he reached the border between Galilee and Samaria.

KJV: And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.

NKJV: Now it happened as He went to Jerusalem that He passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.

Luke continues to order His records about Jesus' stories to highlight the incredible irony of His ministry. Jesus is on His way to the cross. He has been teaching about the coming kingdom of God, primarily to large groups of disciples and Pharisees who keep interrupting Him. The disciples are slowly learning about Him. Yet they still don't understand what He must sacrifice before God will fully manifest His kingdom. The Pharisees continue to be intentionally obtuse.

In this story, Jesus is met by a group of ten lepers. They beg for healing. He tells them to show themselves to the priests. According to the Mosaic law, priests are responsible to diagnose leprosy and declare someone healed (Leviticus 14:1–3). The ten show enough faith to immediately set out. As they travel, they realize they are healed. Only one man, a Samaritan, returns to thank Jesus and publicly declares that Jesus' work is an act of God (Luke 17:12–19).

Immediately after, the Pharisees ask when the kingdom of God will arrive. A Samaritan, abhorred by the Jews for his mixed genealogy and syncretistic religion, recognizes the work of God when the Pharisees, supposed experts in the Jewish Scriptures, do not (Luke 17:20).

"Passing along" may mean Jesus is walking along the border between Galilee on the north and Samaria on the south, or He may be traveling from Galilee through parts of Samaria. Either interpretation works, as He probably walked along the border then cut off the northeast corner of Samaria and traveled along the west side of the Jordan River before crossing it.

Luke 9:51—19:27 is sometimes called "Jesus' Travelogue to Jerusalem." It contains a collection of stories and teachings that begin with Jesus setting "his face to go to Jerusalem" (Luke 9:51) and end at the point of the triumphal entry (Luke 19:28–44). The journey isn't always recorded in time order or arranged by location. Rather, it's sorted by topic. The lessons are meant to inform the disciples of their place in the kingdom of God. So, when the text says, "On the way to Jerusalem…" that doesn't necessarily mean everything from this point to the triumphal entry is chronological.

However, from Luke 18:35, Luke does give a clear progression from outside Jericho to Jerusalem.

Luke 17:11–19 begins a series of comparisons. Here, a thankful Samaritan contrasts with others who seem less expressive. Next, Jesus compares false messiahs to His own second coming and the negligence of people in the end times with the disciples who look for His coming (Luke 17:20–37). In chapter 18, the comparisons continue: a persistent widow and a corrupt judge (Luke 18:1–8), a proud Pharisee and a repentant tax collector (Luke 18:9–14), a trusting child and a ruler attached to his wealth (Luke 18:15–30).

In his gospel, Luke has often arranged events by theme rather than by strict time order. That seems likely here with a series of teachings about living as Christ followers and ambassadors of God. Christians ought to be careful not to poison the faith of others. Faith is powerful. God's servants should not demand extravagant treatment in return. After healing ten lepers—only one of whom offers thanks—Jesus discusses the state of the world at His future second coming.

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.