Weren’t There Ten Cleansed?
by Eric Engelmann
All content © 2023 Static Force, LLC
WHEN are we?
During the time of Jesus when he heals ten lepers at once. I'm going to say it happens about 30 AD, late in Jesus’ ministry. This is a matter of months before His crucifixion.
Where are we?
Along the borders of Samaria and Galilee, where Jesus headed toward Jerusalem. This is to the north of Sychar (where Jesus spoke to the woman at the well), and way north of Jerusalem (where the Jewish temple mount is.)
Why are we here now?
Jesus will heal ten lepers, but only one will come back to Him to give thanks. I think that one understood the same message from God that the Samaritan woman at the well did many months before.
Some History
Israel split after Solomn's reign. For hundreds of years, the official religions of the northern tribes involved avoiding the temple in Jerusalem.
Early in Jesus' ministry, He spoke to a Samaritan woman at Jacob's well.
The rocks in this episode are about the rocks Jesus mentioned then. In John 4, Jesus said to the woman at the well that neither in the Samaritan mountain, nor in Jerusalem, will she worship the Father. Jesus also mentioned the Father is looking for worshippers who will worship in Spirit and in truth.
The Scripture
Luke 17:11-19
Verse 11 As he was on his way to Jerusalem, he was passing along the borders of Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he entered into a certain village, ten men who were lepers met him, who stood at a distance.
NOTE: Jesus is passing a place where both Galileans and Samaritans live -- and maybe other Jews.
Verse 13 They lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”
14 When he saw them, he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.”
NOTE: The only functioning temple system was in Jerusalem. Samaria's temples had been destroyed centuries before. The choice to go show themselves to the priests is an act of faith because they weren't cleansed yet. A similar step of faith was required by Moses when the burning bush told him to put his temporarily leprous hand into his bosom.
Continuing Verse 14:
As they went, they were cleansed. 15 One of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice. 16 He fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks; and he was a Samaritan. 17 Jesus answered, “Weren’t the ten cleansed? But where are the nine? 18 Were there none found who returned to give glory to God, except this foreigner?” 19 Then he said to him, “Get up, and go your way. Your faith has healed you.”
– Luke 17:11-19
What riddles were being asked?
In the passage we read, Jesus asked how many lepers got cleansed. But I think Jesus’ later actions and words posed a different riddle: who’s the real priest?
I think Jesus gave the cleansed leper permission to go where he wanted. He didn't have to see any priests. This could be another way of saying the ex-leper had already seen the priest that he needed to see.
All ten lepers got healed while obeying Jesus in faith while they were still diseased. But only one of the ten lepers returned and worshiped God in Spirit and in truth.
In the future
Jesus will die, rise and ascend into heaven, where access to His holy mountain will be made available to everyone in the world.
All content © 2023 Static Force, LLC