Luke 17:17 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Then Jesus answered, "Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine?

NIV: Jesus asked, "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?

NASB: But Jesus responded and said, 'Were there not ten cleansed? But the nine—where are they?

CSB: Then Jesus said, "Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine?

NLT: Jesus asked, 'Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine?

KJV: And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed but where are the nine

NKJV: So Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine?

Ten men with leprosy approach Jesus from a distance, begging Him to have mercy on them. He tells them to go to the priests. Leviticus 13 and 14 give Jewish priests the responsibility to identify when someone has leprosy and when they are healed from it. As the ten turn away to find the priests, they realize they are healed. One, the only Samaritan, turns back, bows at Jesus' feet, and loudly praises God (Luke 17:11–16).

Jesus rhetorically asks why. He isn't angry that the others didn't return and praise Him. He wants to know why they haven't returned to the place where they were healed to praise God. Why has only this "foreigner" returned? It appears a Samaritan (John 4:9) has more faith than nine Jews (Luke 17:18–19).

Once in this story is the term "healed" used, but twice, the men are said to be "cleansed." Leprosy is a broad term used for several skin diseases. The diseases can be uncomfortable or even painful. In modern medicine, "leprosy" refers to Hansen's disease, which is especially destructive.

Even more debilitating, however, is the fact that under the Mosaic law these conditions make people ceremonially unclean. Most things that made people unclean, like touching a person with a bodily discharge, could be resolved by washing and waiting until evening. Other things, like menstruation, childbirth, or touching a dead body, made a person unclean for longer (Leviticus 12; 15; Numbers 19). But leprosy made someone unclean until they were cured (Leviticus 14). That meant living outside of cities, staying away from anyone who wasn't similarly afflicted, and being banned from worship at the temple (Leviticus 13).

This is why Luke puts the emphasis on being "cleansed." As horrible as the skin disease is, the real tragedy is that lepers in this time are separated from other people and cannot worship God with the congregation. The nine Jews Jesus heals should be there to celebrate their newfound freedom. But it is the single Samaritan who returns, praising God as loudly as he once declared, "Unclean, unclean."

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.