Luke 17:19 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”

NIV: Then he said to him, 'Rise and go; your faith has made you well.'

NASB: And He said to him, 'Stand up and go; your faith has made you well.'

CSB: And he told him, "Get up and go on your way. Your faith has saved you."

NLT: And Jesus said to the man, 'Stand up and go. Your faith has healed you. '

KJV: And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.

NKJV: And He said to him, “Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.”

Jesus has healed ten lepers. Only one, a Samaritan, returns to thank Him and praise God. He recognizes what the Pharisees do not: Jesus performs miracles under the power of God; Jesus is of God (Luke 17:11–18).

The term "progressive revelation" refers to the fact that God reveals truths about Himself gradually, over the course of history. Throughout the ages, people have been saved by God's grace through believing what God reveals to them (Hebrews 11). This Samaritan understands and accepts who Jesus is to the extent of what he understands at this point.

Because of that, Jesus says his faith has made him "well." The Greek for "made well" can mean preserved, saved from death, brought out safely, or freed from disease. It can also mean "saved" spiritually. Bible scholars debate over what Jesus means, here. Unlike the paralytic, He does not overtly state, "Man, your sins are forgiven you" (Luke 5:20).

The Samaritan is healed physically. It's possible that Jesus is summarizing what has happened and commending his faith unto physical restoration, just like the other nine who left to show themselves to the priests before they showed signs of healing. The more natural interpretation, however, is that this Samaritan, unlike the nine presumably Jewish lepers who did not return, has received forgiveness of his sins.

This Samaritan's understanding of the situation is in stark contrast to the Pharisees. He knows Jesus heals by the power of God. The Pharisees claim Satan empowers Jesus (Luke 11:14–15). The healed man understands that Jesus reveals the presence of God: the coming of God's kingdom. The Pharisees still ask when the kingdom is coming (Luke 17:20–21).

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.