Jesus Heals Ten Lepers
One comes back to say thank you
Two things you can tap
- A verse number shows the Bible’s exact words.
- An underlined word shows what it means.
Story
What happened?
Tap a verse number, like , to read the Bible’s exact words.
The whole story, in shortWhat happens, start to finish. Open it if you want the ending first.
On his way to Jerusalem, Jesus was met by ten men with leprosy, who called from a distance, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!" He told them to show themselves to the priests, and on the way they were healed. Only one came back to praise God and thank Jesus, and he was a Samaritan. Jesus asked where the other nine were, and told him, "Rise and go; your faith has made you well!"
Where it is in the Bible: Luke 17:11-19
Who’s who and what came beforePeople, places, and the story so far. Open it anytime.
Scene Card
Cast
- Jesus: The one the Gospels present as the promised Messiah and the Son of God. He is on his way to Jerusalem.
- Ten men with leprosy: Ten men with a serious skin disease. They must live apart from other people.
- One Samaritan: One of the ten. Samaritans and Jews usually did not get along.
Setting
- A village on the border between Samaria and Galilee.
When
- About 2,000 years ago, while Jesus was traveling toward Jerusalem.
Before the Story
Jesus had set out for Jerusalem. Luke says Jesus "resolutely set out for Jerusalem" (9:51). Resolutely means with his mind made up.
Samaritans and Jews were enemies. They disagreed about how and where to worship God. Earlier, a Samaritan village refused to welcome Jesus (9:52-53).
People with leprosy had to live apart. God's law said they had to live alone and warn others to stay away (Leviticus 13:45-46). When healed, they went to a priest, who checked them and said they were clean (Leviticus 14).
Here's what you know: Jesus once told a story where a Samaritan was the hero (10:33). Now a real Samaritan shows up.
Map of the Story
| Scene | Verses | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Ten voices | 17:11-13 | Ten men with leprosy call to Jesus from a distance |
| 2. "Go, show yourselves" | 17:14 | Jesus sends them, and they are healed on the way |
| 3. One comes back | 17:15-16 | One man turns around to thank Jesus |
| 4. "Where are the other nine?" | 17:17-19 | Jesus asks about the others and sends the man on |
Plain Retelling
Scene 1 of 4Ten Voices
Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. He was traveling along the border between Samaria and Galilee.
As he came into a village, ten men with leprosy met him. Leprosy is a serious skin disease.
They stood far away. The law said they could not come close.
They raised their voices and shouted, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!" (17:13). Mercy means kindness and help to someone who can't help himself.
Scene 2 of 4"Go, Show Yourselves"
When Jesus saw them, he said, "Go, show yourselves to the priests" (17:14).
They were not healed yet. But they went.
And as they were on their way, they were cleansed. Their skin was healed.
Scene 3 of 4One Comes Back
One of them saw that he was healed. He turned around and came back.
He praised God in a loud voice.
He fell face down at Jesus's feet and thanked him.
"And he was a Samaritan" (17:16).
Scene 4 of 4"Where Are the Other Nine?"
"Were not all ten cleansed?" Jesus asked. "Where then are the other nine?" (17:17).
"Was no one found except this foreigner to return and give glory to God?" (17:18). A foreigner is someone from another people or country.
Then Jesus said to the man, "Rise and go; your faith has made you well!" (17:19).
Meaning
What does it mean?
Read It
What Does This Mean?
| The text says | It means |
|---|---|
| "They stood at a distance" (17:12) | The law kept them away from other people. They were used to being outsiders. |
| "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!" (17:13) | They called to Jesus for help they could not give themselves. |
| "Go, show yourselves to the priests" (17:14) | Jesus told them to act as if they were already healed. They trusted his word. |
| "As they were on their way, they were cleansed" (17:14) | Jesus's word did what it said. |
| "He came back, praising God" (17:15) | One man saw what God had done and turned back to thank Jesus. |
| "And he was a Samaritan" (17:16) | The one who came back was the outsider. |
| "Your faith has made you well" (17:19) | All ten were healed. This man also received something more: he knew Jesus. |
Back Then
Samaritans lived between Galilee and Judea. Long before, foreign people had settled in Samaria (2 Kings 17:24). Over time, Jews and Samaritans grew apart and disagreed about worship. John says, "Jews do not associate with Samaritans" (John 4:9).
A priest had to declare a healed person clean. Only then could they go home to their families and towns (Leviticus 14).
"Leprosy" in the Bible means many skin diseases. The words were used for several kinds of skin disease, not only the one called leprosy today (Easton's Bible Dictionary).
Literal Reader Alert
Were the other nine bad for not coming back? Jesus had told them to go to the priests. They were doing what he said. But only one stopped to see what had happened and give thanks to God. Jesus noticed.
Did the Samaritan have to go to the priests too? Jesus told him, "Rise and go" (17:19). Luke doesn't say where he went next.
Does "your faith has made you well" mean the others had no faith? All ten trusted Jesus enough to go. The word Luke uses can also mean "saved." Many readers think the Samaritan received more than healing. He received Jesus himself.
Why does Luke point out that he was a Samaritan? Because it was surprising. The outsider was the one who came back to thank God. Luke often shows Jesus welcoming outsiders.
How People Feel
| Who | Feeling | Why |
|---|---|---|
| The ten men | Desperate | They shouted for mercy (17:13) |
| The ten men | Hopeful | They went to the priests before they were healed (17:14) |
| The Samaritan | Thankful | He came back, praising God in a loud voice (17:15-16) |
| Jesus | Surprised | Only one came back (17:17-18) |
For you
What does it mean for me?
Your Turn
What could you thank God for today? Tap one.
Something big
Tell him, out loud if you like. The Samaritan praised God in a loud voice.
Something small
Small thanks count too. Turning back to say thank you is what Jesus noticed.
I can't think of anything
That's honest. Start with this: Jesus hears people who cry for mercy. He heard all ten.
I feel like an outsider
The one who came back was the outsider. Jesus welcomed him and sent him on with a blessing.
You Might Have Heard
"If you're thankful enough, God will bless you more."
What's true: Thankfulness is good. God's word tells us to give thanks (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
What the story is mainly about: All ten were healed before anyone said thank you. God's gifts come first. Thanks is our response, not the price. The Samaritan came back because he saw what God had already done.
Where Jesus is: On the road to Jerusalem, hearing ten cries for mercy, and receiving one man's thanks.
Good News
All ten men cried out, and Jesus healed all ten. None of them earned it.
"Rise and go; your faith has made you well!" (17:19).
Jesus welcomes outsiders. He heals before we thank him, and he is glad when we turn back to him.
Jesus hears every cry for mercy. His gifts come first, and thanks is how we answer.
Big Idea
Jesus healed ten men, and one came back to thank him. God's gifts come first, and he welcomes everyone who turns back to him.
If this story brings up big feelings, talk with someone you trust, like a parent, pastor, or counselor.
For leaders and parentsLuther, church readings, and notes for teaching.
From Luther
In the Small Catechism, Luther explains the First Article of the Creed. He lists the gifts God gives: body and soul, food and home, family, and every daily need. Then he ends: for all this, it is our duty to thank and praise, serve and obey him.
In Church
Many churches follow the Revised Common Lectionary. It reads Luke 17:11-19 in October of Year C (Lectionary 28). In the United States, many churches also read it on Thanksgiving Day.
We quote Luther for what he got right about grace. He also wrote terrible things about Jewish people. Read our note on that.
Memorize
How do I keep it?
One line from this story to learn by heart. Practice a little now. It will come back later so it sticks.
When one of them saw that he was healed, he came back, praising God in a loud voice.
How did that feel?
You finished Jesus Heals Ten Lepers.
Using this at church
Read in church on
- Lectionary 28 Year CGospel, Luke 17:11–19
For a newsletter or sermon notes
Jesus Heals Ten Lepers, explained in plain words. Ten men are healed on the road. Only one comes back. About 9 minutes. https://freescripture.org/stories/jesus-heals-ten-lepers/
Lines for the next eight Sundays, on Digital Lutheran Church