Luke 5:12 - Printer Friendly

ESV: While he was in one of the cities, there came a man full of leprosy. And when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and begged him, "Lord, if you will, you can make me clean."

NIV: While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean."

NASB: While He was in one of the cities, behold, there was a man covered with leprosy; and when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and begged Him, saying, 'Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.'

CSB: While he was in one of the towns, a man was there who had leprosy all over him. He saw Jesus, fell facedown, and begged him: "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean."

NLT: In one of the villages, Jesus met a man with an advanced case of leprosy. When the man saw Jesus, he bowed with his face to the ground, begging to be healed. 'Lord,' he said, 'if you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean.'

KJV: And it came to pass, when he was in a certain city, behold a man full of leprosy: who seeing Jesus fell on his face, and besought him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.

NKJV: And it happened when He was in a certain city, that behold, a man who was full of leprosy saw Jesus; and he fell on his face and implored Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.”

Luke continues his theme of discipleship characteristics. Where Peter showed humility (Luke 5:1–11), the man with leprosy shows faith in Jesus' power and, in return, Jesus makes him clean.

Luke's account of Jesus healing the man with leprosy is fascinating for several reasons, both of which are relative to this verse. While Matthew says the man approached Jesus as He "came down from the mountain" (Matthew 8:1) and Mark doesn't mention a location other than Galilee (Mark 1:39), Luke says they are in a city.

Considering the strong regulations placed on people with leprosy in the Mosaic law, this sounds odd. Leviticus 13:45–46 says, "The leprous person who has the disease shall wear torn clothes and let the hair of his head hang loose, and he shall cover his upper lip and cry out, 'Unclean, unclean.' He shall remain unclean as long as he has the disease. He is unclean. He shall live alone. His dwelling shall be outside the camp." Although some ancient historians claimed Moses banned victims of leprosy from any cities, the Talmud only banned them from entering walled cities. There is little information about which, if any, cities in Galilee were enclosed by walls.

The second note unique to Luke is that the man was "full of leprosy." Scholars say that as a physician (Colossians 4:14), Luke would be more precise in his description of medical conditions. If this was the form of leprosy today known as "Hansen's disease," this would imply an advanced, near-lethal stage. Those suffering with leprosy can experience sores and ulcers over their face, hands, and body. This would have resulted in great social stigma, as well as much personal suffering.

The third point in this verse is recorded in all three Gospels. The man with leprosy has faith that Jesus can make him clean but isn't sure if Jesus wants to. That isn't to say that the man believes Jesus is the Messiah or can forgive his sins, just that Jesus has the authority to heal him. Jesus answers him in a very countercultural way: He touches this unclean man (Luke 5:13).

The next story, unrelated in chronology but related in theme, is the story of the paralytic who is lowered through the roof. In response to faith, Jesus gives him forgiveness.

Luke 5:12–16 explains how Jesus heals a man with leprosy. This would have been some serious skin condition, but not necessarily the exact "leprosy" which today is known as "Hansen's disease." Jesus has called His first disciples; now He performs the first of two attention-getting healings. Leprosy was thought to be a curse and came with social and religious stigmas. Jesus breaks tradition by touching the man and healing him, physically and religiously. Next, Jesus will heal a paralytic, but not before declaring the man's sins are forgiven (Luke 5:17–26). The story of the man with leprosy is also found in Matthew 8:2–4 and Mark 1:40–45.

Luke 5 continues Jesus' Galilean Ministry (Luke 4:14—9:50). The passage alternates calls to discipleship with miracles and teachings which demonstrate what discipleship entails. Jesus calls Peter, Andrew, and their business partners, James and John, to follow Him and make more disciples. Then Jesus makes a man with leprosy ceremonially clean. He forgives the sins of a paralytic. After He calls Levi to follow Him, Jesus celebrates instead of fasting. This draws critical questions from the crowd. The religious leaders consider Jesus' actions blasphemous. His message of forgiveness, faith, and repentance cannot be contained by their tradition.

Jesus has already proved He can expel demons, heal ailments, and reveal the kingdom of God (Luke 4:31–44). In this chapter, He begins to separate His followers from His detractors. This begins with calling the first five disciples and emphasizing faith and repentance over religious tradition. He will drive home the point by treating the Sabbath as a blessing rather than a burden (Luke 6:1–11). After formally inviting the Twelve to follow Him, Jesus will explain to a crowd what discipleship looks like and invite them to build their lives on Him (Luke 6:12–49). In chapter 7, Jesus champions Gentiles and the marginalized.

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.