Luke 17:15 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice;

NIV: One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice.

NASB: Now one of them, when he saw that he had been healed, turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice,

CSB: But one of them, seeing that he was healed, returned and, with a loud voice, gave glory to God.

NLT: One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, 'Praise God!'

KJV: And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,

NKJV: And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God,

Jesus is somewhere along the border between Galilee and Samaria, traveling to Jerusalem. He has entered a village and immediately is met by ten lepers. They ask Him to heal them, and He tells them to show themselves to the priests. Only the priests can declare them physically and ceremonially clean. In faith, they turn and go. As they do so, they realize they are healed (Luke 17:11–14).

The Mosaic law states that people with skin conditions need to show themselves to the priests. The priest can determine if the disease is benign or if it's "leprosy:" from a biblical term used for one of many different serious skin diseases. If the priest decides that it is leprosy, the person is required to dress as if he is mourning and cry out "unclean, unclean" so no one else will come near and become contaminated (Leviticus 13).

When the ten lepers meet Jesus, they stay apart from Him but they don't cry out, "Unclean, unclean;" they call, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us" (Luke 17:13). Jesus responds (Luke 17:14). Now, one cries out in praise to God. He turns back to Jesus, falls at His feet, and thanks Him (Luke 17:16).

This is a testimony: from death to life to worship. Undoubtedly, the lepers had regularly declared themselves unclean. Then they begged Jesus for help. Now one praises God because he is healed. Jesus' words even suggest that this man's faith means he is spiritually renewed (Luke 17:19). This is the story of humanity. We are sinners, humiliated in our brokenness. We call out to Jesus to save us. When He does, we praise God.

Even more striking is this man is a Samaritan (Luke 17:16; John 4:9). His people are a mix of Jews and other nationalities that the Assyrians brought in after they took the northern kingdom of Israel into exile. His religion is a mix of Mosaic God-worship, King Jeroboam' apostasy (1 Kings 12:25–33), and the religions introduced by the people the Assyrians settled in the region (2 Kings 17:24–41). The Samaritan is willing to go to the Jewish priest because it is from the Jews that salvation comes (John 4:22). When he realizes God has worked through this teacher, Jesus, he rushes back in thanks.

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 17 continues Jesus' teaching about how to live as citizens and ambassadors of the kingdom of God. Luke 15 describes God's love for the lost. Chapter 16 teaches earthly blessings are far inferior to heavenly rewards. Here, He exhorts His followers to lead well, serve humbly, give thanks, and watch for His second coming. In Luke 18, Jesus gives a series of comparisons to show how we are to approach God—as He approaches Jerusalem and the cross.

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.