Luke 17:11-19

The opening verse before us conveys information of note. Jesus is on His way to Jerusalem. While Samaria was the most direct route to Jerusalem from Galilee, it was avoided by Jews because the Samaritans were considered to be unclean. Contact with any unclean thing precluded one from entering any place of worship upon arrival in Jerusalem. The midst of Samaria and Galilee likely refers to the middle of the border region between Samaria and Galilee.

The certain village (v. 2) most likely was located in Galilee since only one of the ten lepers was identified as a Samaritan (see v. 16). Lepers were not allowed to be in close proximity to others and, therefore, would not cause one to become unclean. Leprosy was a disease which necessitated physical separation from the community and, consequently, separation from God in that lepers were forbidden to worship at a synagogue.

At this particular village, the ten lepers called out to Jesus with the words: “Master have mercy upon us.” One does not address a complete stranger as Master. The lepers recognized Jesus as one who could help them. They had knowledge of the many healings which He had performed.

Jesus responded with the instruction: “Go show yourselves unto the priests.” This is the same instruction which the Lord gave to Moses concerning individuals who had recovered from leprosy (see Lev. 14:2). When it was apparent that one afflicted was no longer leprous, the law required the individual to be taken before a priest who would certify that he was healed. A leper could not rejoin the community until after priest had performed a series of rites that extended over an eight-day period. Then, and only then, would he be cleansed. Once cleansed, he could enter places of worship, do works of righteousness, and walk in God’s ways.

The scripture before us does not reveal the Samaritan leper to have ever presented himself to a priest. When he perceived that he was healed, the Samaritan turned back, glorified God, fell at Jesus’ feet, and gave thanks. He recognized that his healing was independent of the law. The other nine lepers were healed in like manner but continued on their way such that they might satisfy the requirements of the law.

Consider the difference in the response of the nine and of the Samaritan. The Samaritan glorified God. The nine satisfied the law. The nine, like the Samaritan leper, realized that their leprosy had disappeared but they chose to continue on their journey such that they might satisfy the law. The Samaritan leper accepted the healing which God the Son provided. The nine lepers would not accept the healing which God provided until after it had been verified by their keeping the law. The nine returned to their old lives to live under the law. The Samaritan embraced a new life, knowing he had been healed by the one who came to fulfill the law.

In verse 17, Jesus asked: “Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?” The Lord’s question forces all to focus upon the fact that the Samaritan, a man lacking the righteousness of Jews, was the only one to give glory to God. The nine observed the law but did not glorify God.

Is God not glorified when men follow the law? Following the law requires one to hear God with one’s ears, to do righteous things with one’s hands and to walk in God’s ways. The nine observed the law but they did not follow the law. They observed the law in that a priest ceremonially dabbed the blood of a lamb upon their right ears, on the thumbs of their right hands, and upon their right great toes (see Lev. 14:25). Following the law does not produce healing or make one clean. Following the law signifies that one accepts the provision which God has made. Ceremonial certification is no substitute for real acceptance.

When Jesus said “Go show yourselves to the priests”, the Samaritan heard the voice of God. When the Samaritan fell at Jesus’ feet praising God, he did a righteous work. When the Samaritan went his way in faith, he walked in the way God would have him walk. The Samaritan did not observe the law but he followed the law.

Jesus instructed the Samaritan to “Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.” (v. 19). What was the Samaritan’s way? It was not the way of the law. The Samaritan did not return to the yoke of the law. The Samaritan chose to return to Jesus, believing that God had taken away his leprosy. The Samaritan chose the way of faith. The Samaritan chose the way of Abraham (Gen. 15:6). He believed God and it was counted to him for righteousness.

New Testament believers know that the Son fulfilled the law which we could not keep. He died upon the cross such that men might be justified by Him (Isa. 53:11). His sacrifice is for naught for them who return to their old ways. Through faith believers are made free of the old such that we might walk in the newness of life.

May all men see grateful newness in us.