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Luke 17:11
Verse
Context
The Ten Lepers
10So you also, when you have done everything commanded of you, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’”11While Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem, He was passing between Samaria and Galilee. 12As He entered one of the villages, He was met by ten lepers. They stood at a distance
Sermons
Larry Powers
Erlo Stegen
Sandeep Poonen
E.A. Adeboye
Chuck Smith
R.A. Torrey
David ServantSummary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Matthew Henry
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
He passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee - He first went through Galilee, whence he set out on his journey; and then through Samaria, of which mention is made, Luk 9:51, Luk 9:52. All who went from Galilee to Jerusalem must have necessarily passed through Samaria, unless they had gone to the westward, a very great way about. Therefore John tells us, Joh 4:4, that when Jesus left Judea to go into Galilee, it was necessary for him to pass through Samaria; for this plain reason, because it was the only proper road. "It is likely that our Lord set out from Capernaum, traversed the remaining villages of Galilee as far as Samaria, and then passed through the small country of Samaria, preaching and teaching every where, and curing the diseased, as usual." Calmet.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
TEN LEPERS CLEANSED. (Luk 17:11-19) through the midst of Samaria and Galilee--probably on the confines of both.
John Gill Bible Commentary
And as he entered into a certain village,.... Whether in Samaria or Galilee, is not certain; perhaps it bordered on both, since there were both Jews and Samaritans in it, as appears by what follows; and since Christ was passing between both places: there met ten men that were lepers; who either were confined to this place, this village, for they might not be in the larger cities, and walled towns; See Gill on Mat 8:2 or else having heard that Jesus of Nazareth was going to such a place, got together, and met him as he entered in it, in hope of being cured by him: which stood afar off; from Christ, by reason of their uncleanness, as they were obliged to by the law, in Lev 13:46.
Matthew Henry Bible Commentary
We have here an account of the cure of ten lepers, which we had not in any other of the evangelists. The leprosy was a disease which the Jews supposed to be inflicted for the punishment of some particular sin, and to be, more than other diseases, a mark of God's displeasure; and therefore Christ, who came to take away sin, and turn away wrath, took particular care to cleanse the lepers that fell in his way. Christ was now in his way to Jerusalem, about the mid-way, where he had little acquaintance in comparison with what he had either at Jerusalem or in Galilee. He was now in the frontier-country, the marches that lay between Samaria and Galilee. He went that road to find out these lepers, and to cure them; for he is found of them that sought him not. Observe, I. The address of these lepers to Christ. They were ten in a company; for, though they were shut out from society with others, yet those that were infected were at liberty to converse with one another, which would be some comfort to them, as giving them an opportunity to compare notes, and to condole with one another. Now observe, 1. They met Christ as he entered into a certain village. They did not stay till he had refreshed himself for some time after the fatigue of his journey, but met him as he entered the town, weary as he was; and yet he did not put them off, nor adjourn their cause. 2. They stood afar off, knowing that by the law their disease obliged them to keep their distance. A sense of our spiritual leprosy should make us very humble in all our approaches to Christ. Who are we, that we should draw near to him that is infinitely pure? We are impure. 3. Their request was unanimous, and very importunate (Luk 17:13): They lifted up their voices, being at a distance, and cried, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. those that expect help from Christ must take him for their Master, and be at his command. If he be Master, he will be Jesus, a Saviour, and not otherwise. They ask not in particular to be cured of their leprosy, but, Have mercy on us; and it is enough to refer ourselves to the compassions of Christ, for they fail not. They heard the fame of this Jesus (though he had not been much conversant in that country), and that was such as encouraged them to make application to him; and, if but one of them began in so cheap and easy an address, they would all join. II. Christ sent them to the priest, to be inspected by him, who was the judge of the leprosy. He did not tell them positively that they should be cured, but bade them go show themselves to the priests, Luk 17:14. This was a trial of their obedience, and it was fit that it should be so tried, as Naaman's in a like case: Go wash in Jordan. Note, Those that expect Christ's favours must take them in his way and method. Some of these lepers perhaps would be ready to quarrel with the prescription: "Let him either cure or say that he will not, and not send us to the priests on a fool's errand;" but, over-ruled by the rest, they all went to the priest. As the ceremonial law was yet in force, Christ took care that it should be observed, and the reputation of it kept up, and due honour paid to the priests in things pertaining to their function; but, probably, he had here a further design, which was to have the priest's judgment of, and testimony to, the perfectness of the cure; and that the priest might be awakened, and others by him, to enquire after one that had such a commanding power over bodily diseases. III. As they went, they were cleansed, and so became fit to be looked upon by the priest, and to have a certificate from him that they were clean. Observe, Then we may expect God to meet us with mercy when we are found in the way of duty. If we do what we can, God will not be wanting to do that for us which we cannot. Go, attend upon instituted ordinances; go and pray, and read the scriptures: Go show thyself to the priests; go and open thy case to a faithful minister, and, though the means will not heal thee of themselves, God will heal thee in the diligent use of those means. IV. One of them, and but one, returned, to give thanks, Luk 17:15. When he saw that he was healed, instead of going forward to the priest, to be by him declared clean, and so discharged from his confinement, which was all that the rest aimed at, he turned back towards him who was the Author of his cure, whom he wished to have the glory of it, before he received the benefit of it. He appears to have been very hearty and affectionate in his thanksgivings: With a loud voice he glorified God, acknowledging it to come originally from him; and he lifted up his voice in his praises, as he had done in his prayers, Luk 17:13. Those that have received mercy from God should publish it to others, that they may praise God too, and may be encouraged by their experiences to trust in him. But he also made a particular address of thanks to Christ (Luk 17:16): He fell down at his feet, put himself into the most humble reverent posture he could, and gave him thanks. Note, We ought to give thanks for the favours Christ bestows upon us, and particularly for recoveries from sickness; and we ought to be speedy in our returns of praise, and not defer them, lest time wear out the sense of the mercy. It becomes us also to be very humble in our thanksgivings, as well as in our prayers. It becomes the seed of Jacob, like him, to own themselves less than the least of God's mercies, when they have received them, as well as when they are in pursuit of them. V. Christ took notice of this one that had thus distinguished himself; for, it seems, he was a Samaritan, whereas the rest were Jews, Luk 17:16. The Samaritans were separatists from the Jewish church, and had not the pure knowledge and worship of God among them that the Jews had, and yet it was one of them that glorified God, when the Jews forgot, or, when it was moved to them, refused, to do it. Now observe here, 1. The particular notice Christ took of him, of the grateful return he made, and the ingratitude of those that were sharers with him in the mercy - that he who was a stranger to the commonwealth of Israel was the only one that returned to give glory to God, Luk 17:17, Luk 17:18. See here, (1.) How rich Christ is in doing good: Were there not ten cleansed? Here was a cure by wholesale, a whole hospital healed with one word's speaking. Note, There is an abundance of healing cleansing virtue in the blood of Christ, sufficient for all his patients, though ever so many. Here are ten at a time cleansed; we shall have never the less grace for others sharing it. (2.) How poor we are in our returns: "Where are the nine? Why did not they return to give thanks?" This intimates that ingratitude is a very common sin. Of the many that receive mercy from God, there are but few, very few, that return to give thanks in a right manner (scarcely one in ten), that render according to the benefit done to them. (3.) How those often prove most grateful from whom it was least expected. A Samaritan gives thanks, and a Jew does not. Thus many who profess revealed religion are out-done, and quite shamed, by some that are governed only by natural religion, not only in moral value, but in piety and devotion. This serves here to aggravate the ingratitude of those Jews of whom Christ speaks, as taking it very ill that his kindness was so slighted. And it intimates how justly he resents the ingratitude of the world of mankind, for whom he had done so much, and from whom he has received so little. 2. The great encouragement Christ gave him, Luk 17:19. The rest had their cure, and had it not revoked, as justly it might have been, for their ingratitude, though they had such a good example of gratitude set before them; but he had his cure confirmed particularly with an encomium: Thy faith hath made thee whole. The rest were made whole by the power of Christ, in compassion to their distress, and in answer to their prayer; but he was made whole by his faith, by which Christ saw him distinguished from the rest. Note, Temporal mercies are then doubled and sweetened to us when they are fetched in by the prayers of faith, and returned by the praises of faith.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
17:11-19 This healing reveals Jesus’ compassion and power; in Luke, the blessings of salvation are joyfully received by many outside Israel. 17:11 As Jesus continued on toward Jerusalem: See study note on 9:51–19:44.
Luke 17:11
The Ten Lepers
10So you also, when you have done everything commanded of you, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’”11While Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem, He was passing between Samaria and Galilee. 12As He entered one of the villages, He was met by ten lepers. They stood at a distance
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Having an Attitude of Gratitude
By Larry Powers1.5K38:34GratitudeLUK 17:11In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of having an attitude of gratitude. He shares a story about a man in Luke chapter 17 who was healed by Jesus and returned to give thanks. The preacher encourages the congregation to always be thankful, not just for the big things, but also for the little things in life. He reminds them that gratitude should be a response to the grace and goodness of God in their lives.
Thankful or Thankless
By Erlo Stegen1.2K1:02:43ThankfulnessLUK 17:11In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Jesus healing ten lepers in Luke chapter 17. The ten lepers cry out to Jesus for pity and he instructs them to go show themselves to the priests. As they obeyed and went, they were cleansed of their leprosy. However, only one of them, a Samaritan, returns to Jesus to thank him and praise God. The preacher emphasizes the importance of gratitude and obedience to Jesus, warning that those who do not thank God and follow his voice are on the path to destruction. The sermon concludes with a prayer for understanding and a plea to let go of human logic and intelligence in order to follow Jesus.
Strive to Be Saved
By Sandeep Poonen52227:45LUK 17:11
This sermon delves into the story of the ten lepers healed by Jesus, emphasizing the importance of crying out to Jesus for mercy, acknowledging sin as the true leprosy in our lives. It highlights the need for a spirit of humility, obedience to God's commands even when they seem illogical, and coming back to Jesus with a grateful heart after experiencing cleansing. The ultimate message is to strive to enter by the narrow door, removing entitlement, raising voices in praise, and finding salvation through faith and gratitude.
Blessings of Gratitude
By E.A. Adeboye1PSA 95:2LUK 17:11EPH 5:20COL 3:171TH 5:18E.A. Adeboye emphasizes the importance of showing appreciation to God for His blessings, highlighting the story of the ten lepers where only one returned to thank Jesus. Believers often take God's blessings for granted, assuming His continuous favor without gratitude. The sermon urges believers to express thanksgiving boldly, worship in surrender, and thank God sincerely from the heart to make blessings permanent and experience restoration.
Luke 17:11
By Chuck Smith0ThanksgivingGratitudeLUK 17:11Chuck Smith emphasizes that true thanksgiving stems from recognizing the grace of God, which goes beyond material blessings to include love, victory through Christ, and forgiveness. He illustrates this through the story of the ten lepers, highlighting that only one, a Samaritan, returned to express gratitude, demonstrating the importance of acknowledging God's goodness. Smith points out that true thanksgiving should lead to action and a deeper spiritual understanding, as it reflects our relationship with God. The sermon concludes with the reminder that genuine gratitude results in spiritual wholeness and transformation.
The Ten Lepers Luke 17:11-19
By R.A. Torrey0Faith and HealingGratitudeLUK 17:11R.A. Torrey explores the story of the ten lepers in Luke 17:11-19, emphasizing the importance of gratitude and the response to God's mercy. While all ten lepers were healed, only one returned to thank Jesus, highlighting the tendency to focus on blessings rather than the Blesser. The sermon reflects on the characteristics of true faith, which leads to obedience and thanksgiving, and contrasts the grateful Samaritan with the nine who forgot to express their gratitude. Torrey challenges the audience to consider their own responses to God's gifts and the joy or grief they may bring to the Lord through their ingratitude or thankfulness.
Jesus Cleanses Ten Lepers Luke 17:11-19
By David Servant0MAT 8:2MRK 11:24LUK 17:11HEB 11:6JAS 5:15David Servant preaches on the story of the ten lepers who called on Jesus to be healed, highlighting their faith in His healing power. Their faith was evident in calling out to Jesus, obeying His instructions to go to the priests, and ultimately being healed. The one leper who returned to give thanks, a Samaritan, displayed even greater faith by obeying despite societal barriers. This story teaches us that God desires everyone to be healed and emphasizes the importance of believing in Jesus as our healer and acting on that faith.
Thanksgiving Cannot Be Commanded
By Timothy Tow0EXO 23:15PSA 95:6LUK 4:24LUK 7:41LUK 17:11ROM 12:1COL 3:171TH 5:18HEB 13:151PE 2:5Timothy Tow preaches on the story of the ten lepers cleansed by Jesus, highlighting the gratitude shown by the Samaritan, a stranger, in contrast to the ingratitude of the nine Jewish lepers. The lesson emphasizes that familiarity can breed contempt, and ingratitude can lead to relapse. The sermon delves into the importance of giving thanks to God with our lips, knees, hands, and our whole body, emphasizing that true thanksgiving must come from a heart that has experienced forgiveness and salvation.
As They Went
By Richard E. Bieber0PSA 139:23LUK 17:11JHN 14:15GAL 5:16Richard E. Bieber preaches on the theme of stagnation in the Body of Christ, emphasizing the need for action beyond just mental acknowledgment. Using the story of the ten lepers, he illustrates how responding to Jesus' call with our will and body leads to transformation and healing. He highlights the importance of actively obeying God's commands, rather than passively waiting for miraculous changes. The sermon underscores the necessity of aligning our will, actions, and body with God's will to experience His grace and power in our lives.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Matthew Henry
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
He passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee - He first went through Galilee, whence he set out on his journey; and then through Samaria, of which mention is made, Luk 9:51, Luk 9:52. All who went from Galilee to Jerusalem must have necessarily passed through Samaria, unless they had gone to the westward, a very great way about. Therefore John tells us, Joh 4:4, that when Jesus left Judea to go into Galilee, it was necessary for him to pass through Samaria; for this plain reason, because it was the only proper road. "It is likely that our Lord set out from Capernaum, traversed the remaining villages of Galilee as far as Samaria, and then passed through the small country of Samaria, preaching and teaching every where, and curing the diseased, as usual." Calmet.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
TEN LEPERS CLEANSED. (Luk 17:11-19) through the midst of Samaria and Galilee--probably on the confines of both.
John Gill Bible Commentary
And as he entered into a certain village,.... Whether in Samaria or Galilee, is not certain; perhaps it bordered on both, since there were both Jews and Samaritans in it, as appears by what follows; and since Christ was passing between both places: there met ten men that were lepers; who either were confined to this place, this village, for they might not be in the larger cities, and walled towns; See Gill on Mat 8:2 or else having heard that Jesus of Nazareth was going to such a place, got together, and met him as he entered in it, in hope of being cured by him: which stood afar off; from Christ, by reason of their uncleanness, as they were obliged to by the law, in Lev 13:46.
Matthew Henry Bible Commentary
We have here an account of the cure of ten lepers, which we had not in any other of the evangelists. The leprosy was a disease which the Jews supposed to be inflicted for the punishment of some particular sin, and to be, more than other diseases, a mark of God's displeasure; and therefore Christ, who came to take away sin, and turn away wrath, took particular care to cleanse the lepers that fell in his way. Christ was now in his way to Jerusalem, about the mid-way, where he had little acquaintance in comparison with what he had either at Jerusalem or in Galilee. He was now in the frontier-country, the marches that lay between Samaria and Galilee. He went that road to find out these lepers, and to cure them; for he is found of them that sought him not. Observe, I. The address of these lepers to Christ. They were ten in a company; for, though they were shut out from society with others, yet those that were infected were at liberty to converse with one another, which would be some comfort to them, as giving them an opportunity to compare notes, and to condole with one another. Now observe, 1. They met Christ as he entered into a certain village. They did not stay till he had refreshed himself for some time after the fatigue of his journey, but met him as he entered the town, weary as he was; and yet he did not put them off, nor adjourn their cause. 2. They stood afar off, knowing that by the law their disease obliged them to keep their distance. A sense of our spiritual leprosy should make us very humble in all our approaches to Christ. Who are we, that we should draw near to him that is infinitely pure? We are impure. 3. Their request was unanimous, and very importunate (Luk 17:13): They lifted up their voices, being at a distance, and cried, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. those that expect help from Christ must take him for their Master, and be at his command. If he be Master, he will be Jesus, a Saviour, and not otherwise. They ask not in particular to be cured of their leprosy, but, Have mercy on us; and it is enough to refer ourselves to the compassions of Christ, for they fail not. They heard the fame of this Jesus (though he had not been much conversant in that country), and that was such as encouraged them to make application to him; and, if but one of them began in so cheap and easy an address, they would all join. II. Christ sent them to the priest, to be inspected by him, who was the judge of the leprosy. He did not tell them positively that they should be cured, but bade them go show themselves to the priests, Luk 17:14. This was a trial of their obedience, and it was fit that it should be so tried, as Naaman's in a like case: Go wash in Jordan. Note, Those that expect Christ's favours must take them in his way and method. Some of these lepers perhaps would be ready to quarrel with the prescription: "Let him either cure or say that he will not, and not send us to the priests on a fool's errand;" but, over-ruled by the rest, they all went to the priest. As the ceremonial law was yet in force, Christ took care that it should be observed, and the reputation of it kept up, and due honour paid to the priests in things pertaining to their function; but, probably, he had here a further design, which was to have the priest's judgment of, and testimony to, the perfectness of the cure; and that the priest might be awakened, and others by him, to enquire after one that had such a commanding power over bodily diseases. III. As they went, they were cleansed, and so became fit to be looked upon by the priest, and to have a certificate from him that they were clean. Observe, Then we may expect God to meet us with mercy when we are found in the way of duty. If we do what we can, God will not be wanting to do that for us which we cannot. Go, attend upon instituted ordinances; go and pray, and read the scriptures: Go show thyself to the priests; go and open thy case to a faithful minister, and, though the means will not heal thee of themselves, God will heal thee in the diligent use of those means. IV. One of them, and but one, returned, to give thanks, Luk 17:15. When he saw that he was healed, instead of going forward to the priest, to be by him declared clean, and so discharged from his confinement, which was all that the rest aimed at, he turned back towards him who was the Author of his cure, whom he wished to have the glory of it, before he received the benefit of it. He appears to have been very hearty and affectionate in his thanksgivings: With a loud voice he glorified God, acknowledging it to come originally from him; and he lifted up his voice in his praises, as he had done in his prayers, Luk 17:13. Those that have received mercy from God should publish it to others, that they may praise God too, and may be encouraged by their experiences to trust in him. But he also made a particular address of thanks to Christ (Luk 17:16): He fell down at his feet, put himself into the most humble reverent posture he could, and gave him thanks. Note, We ought to give thanks for the favours Christ bestows upon us, and particularly for recoveries from sickness; and we ought to be speedy in our returns of praise, and not defer them, lest time wear out the sense of the mercy. It becomes us also to be very humble in our thanksgivings, as well as in our prayers. It becomes the seed of Jacob, like him, to own themselves less than the least of God's mercies, when they have received them, as well as when they are in pursuit of them. V. Christ took notice of this one that had thus distinguished himself; for, it seems, he was a Samaritan, whereas the rest were Jews, Luk 17:16. The Samaritans were separatists from the Jewish church, and had not the pure knowledge and worship of God among them that the Jews had, and yet it was one of them that glorified God, when the Jews forgot, or, when it was moved to them, refused, to do it. Now observe here, 1. The particular notice Christ took of him, of the grateful return he made, and the ingratitude of those that were sharers with him in the mercy - that he who was a stranger to the commonwealth of Israel was the only one that returned to give glory to God, Luk 17:17, Luk 17:18. See here, (1.) How rich Christ is in doing good: Were there not ten cleansed? Here was a cure by wholesale, a whole hospital healed with one word's speaking. Note, There is an abundance of healing cleansing virtue in the blood of Christ, sufficient for all his patients, though ever so many. Here are ten at a time cleansed; we shall have never the less grace for others sharing it. (2.) How poor we are in our returns: "Where are the nine? Why did not they return to give thanks?" This intimates that ingratitude is a very common sin. Of the many that receive mercy from God, there are but few, very few, that return to give thanks in a right manner (scarcely one in ten), that render according to the benefit done to them. (3.) How those often prove most grateful from whom it was least expected. A Samaritan gives thanks, and a Jew does not. Thus many who profess revealed religion are out-done, and quite shamed, by some that are governed only by natural religion, not only in moral value, but in piety and devotion. This serves here to aggravate the ingratitude of those Jews of whom Christ speaks, as taking it very ill that his kindness was so slighted. And it intimates how justly he resents the ingratitude of the world of mankind, for whom he had done so much, and from whom he has received so little. 2. The great encouragement Christ gave him, Luk 17:19. The rest had their cure, and had it not revoked, as justly it might have been, for their ingratitude, though they had such a good example of gratitude set before them; but he had his cure confirmed particularly with an encomium: Thy faith hath made thee whole. The rest were made whole by the power of Christ, in compassion to their distress, and in answer to their prayer; but he was made whole by his faith, by which Christ saw him distinguished from the rest. Note, Temporal mercies are then doubled and sweetened to us when they are fetched in by the prayers of faith, and returned by the praises of faith.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
17:11-19 This healing reveals Jesus’ compassion and power; in Luke, the blessings of salvation are joyfully received by many outside Israel. 17:11 As Jesus continued on toward Jerusalem: See study note on 9:51–19:44.