The Encounter:
As Jesus enters a village, ten lepers meet Him. Keeping their distance, they lift up their voices and say, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” (Luke 17:12–13)
The Divine Intervention:
Jesus sees them and commands, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” As they go in obedience to His word, they are cleansed (Luke 17:14).
The Immediate Result:
This sign reveals Jesus’ authority over sickness and His role as the One who can grant cleansing that human power cannot. By directing the men to the priests and cleansing them “as they went,” Jesus shows that healing comes through His word and authority, consistent with God’s purposes in Scripture. The returning Samaritan’s worship and thanksgiving highlight that the miracle is not only about physical restoration but also points to a deeper response: recognizing God’s work in Christ and receiving His saving mercy (Luke 17:15–19).
In Israel’s law, those healed of skin disease were to be examined by priests and formally restored to community life (cf. Leviticus 14). Jesus’ command to “show yourselves to the priests” aligns the healing with recognized covenant practices, while the mention that the grateful man was a Samaritan underscores the unexpected breadth of God’s mercy beyond Jewish boundaries (Luke 17:16–18).
“And he said to him, ‘Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.’” — Luke 17:19
Answer the questions below. When you choose an option, you will see the result and an explanation.
1. What did the ten men with leprosy say to Jesus when they appealed for mercy?
2. After all ten were cleansed, what was notable about the one man who returned to give thanks?