As he was on his way to Jerusalem, he was passing along the borders of Samaria and Galilee.
Luke 17:11–19
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As he entered into a certain village, ten men who were lepers met him, who stood at a distance.
They lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”
When he saw them, he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” As they went, they were cleansed.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 14. To the priests. Jesus sends them to the priests, to convince the latter of the reality of the cures which he wrought, and oblige them by that to acknowledge him for their Messias; 2ndly, that the lepers might enjoy the fruit of their cure, by returning to the society of their fellow men, after they had been declared clean, and satisfied all the demands of the law; for there were may ceremonies previous to be gone through. Calmet.—And lastly, to shew that in the new law, such as are defiled with the leprosy of sin, should apply to the priests. Hence, says Saint Augustine, let no one despise God’s ordinance, saying that it is sufficient to confess to God alone. Lib. de visit. infirm.
One of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice.
He fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks; and he was a Samaritan.
Jesus answered, “Weren’t the ten cleansed? But where are the nine?
Were there none found who returned to give glory to God, except this foreigner?”
Then he said to him, “Get up, and go your way. Your faith has healed you.”
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 19. Thy faith hath made thee whole. Were not the others also made whole? They were cleansed indeed from their leprosy, but it no where appears that they were justified in their souls like this Samaritan, of whom it said, thy faith hath made thee whole; whereas it was said of the others, that they were made clean, that is of their leprosy in their body, though not justified in their soul: this the Samaritan alone seems to have obtained. Maldonatus.