Luke 17:17 kjv
And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?
Luke 17:17 nkjv
So Jesus answered and said, "Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine?
Luke 17:17 niv
Jesus asked, "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?
Luke 17:17 esv
Then Jesus answered, "Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine?
Luke 17:17 nlt
Jesus asked, "Didn't I heal ten men? Where are the other nine?
Luke 17 17 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Thess 5:18 | In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God... | General call to constant thanksgiving. |
| Col 3:17 | And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks... | Thanks should accompany all actions for God. |
| Eph 5:20 | Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name... | Consistent thanks for all circumstances. |
| Phil 4:6 | Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving... | Prayer includes a thankful disposition. |
| Ps 107:8 | Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works... | Call to praise God for His works. |
| Ps 103:2 | Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: | Remembering and appreciating God's benefits. |
| Ps 9:1 | I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all... | Praise from the whole heart. |
| 2 Chr 32:25 | But Hezekiah rendered not again according to the benefit done unto him... | Example of ingratitude leading to wrath. |
| Rom 1:21 | Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful... | Ingratitude as a foundational sin. |
| Jer 2:32 | Can a maid forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? yet my people have forgotten me... | Israel's forgetfulness of God's acts. |
| Luke 10:30-37 | Parable of the Good Samaritan, where an outsider shows mercy. | Samaritans showing exemplary action. |
| John 4:9-42 | Jesus interacts with a Samaritan woman, transcending social barriers. | Jesus' inclusive ministry to Samaritans. |
| Luke 17:19 | And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole. | The Samaritan's faith leading to wholeness. |
| Mark 5:34 | And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole... | Faith as the source of complete healing. |
| Matt 9:22 | But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. | Faith in healing beyond the physical. |
| Titus 3:5 | Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration... | Cleansing is by God's mercy, not human works. |
| Heb 9:14 | How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit... clean your conscience... | Cleansing from sin through Christ's sacrifice. |
| Luke 13:23-24 | Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? ... strive to enter in at the strait gate... | Few who respond in truth. |
| Matt 7:13-14 | Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be... | The path of life chosen by few. |
| Mal 3:7 | Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return... | Call for people to return to God. |
| Zech 1:3 | Therefore say thou unto them, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Turn ye unto me, saith the Lord... | Divine invitation to return. |
Luke 17 verses
Luke 17 17 Meaning
Luke 17:17 captures Jesus' poignant question immediately following the miraculous healing of ten lepers. It highlights the profound contrast between divine generosity and human ingratitude. While all ten received physical cleansing, only one, a Samaritan outcast, returned to offer thanks and glorify God. Jesus' question exposes the absence of the other nine, focusing on their lack of spiritual acknowledgement rather than their physical state, emphasizing the critical importance of thanksgiving as a response to God's grace.
Luke 17 17 Context
Luke chapter 17 portrays Jesus' journey towards Jerusalem, where He teaches His disciples about various aspects of kingdom living, including forgiveness (v. 3-4), faith (v. 5-6), and humility (v. 7-10). The account of the ten lepers follows immediately (v. 11-19). Lepers were considered ceremonially unclean and lived in isolation (Lev 13:46), symbolizing sin's separation from God. Healing from leprosy required a priest's declaration of cleanness, enabling reentry into society (Lev 14). Jesus, transcending human protocols, heals them by His word and sends them to the priests as the Law commanded. This story also highlights Jesus' radical inclusion, as He travels through Samaritan and Galilean territory, bridging traditionally hostile regions. The fact that the only one to return was a Samaritan emphasizes that God's grace and true faith are not limited by ethnicity or religious background but are a matter of the heart. Jesus' question in verse 17 directly precedes His praise of the Samaritan's faith, pointing to the deeper spiritual "wholeness" he received.
Luke 17 17 Word analysis
- Then Jesus answered and said: Greek: apokritheis de eipen. A common biblical idiom, indicating a deliberate, reflective, and significant response from Jesus, not a casual remark. It implies He paused to observe and process the scene before speaking.
- Were there not: Greek: Ouch (Οὐχ). This is a strong negative particle that introduces a rhetorical question expecting an affirmative answer, "Certainly not ten cleansed?" It conveys astonishment, lament, and disappointment rather than seeking information. It highlights a painful disparity.
- ten: Greek: deka (δέκα). A specific number emphasizing the uniform divine action. All recipients of physical healing were precisely ten individuals, signifying the universal scope of Jesus' power to heal without discrimination.
- cleansed?: Greek: ekatharisthēsan (ἐκαθαρίσθησαν). Aorist passive indicative of katharizo, meaning "to cleanse, purify." This indicates a complete, divine action that took place at a specific point in the past. It refers to their physical restoration from ritual impurity and disease.
- but where: Greek: Hoi de ennea pou? (de - δὲ, "but" or "and"; pou - ποῦ, "where"). The particle de introduces a sharp contrast to the previous clause. Pou is a simple interrogative asking for location, yet here, it's weighted with a profound emotional and spiritual meaning, expressing searching disappointment at their absence.
- are the nine?: Greek: hoi ennea. The striking numeric absence. Jesus knows they are gone, so the question is not for information but to lament their missing gratitude. It points to a spiritual deficiency rather than a physical one.
- Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "Were there not ten cleansed?": This phrase underscores the undeniable truth of the miracle and Jesus' immense power and grace. It is a statement of fulfilled promise and demonstrable healing for all who approached Him.
- "but where are the nine?": This powerfully concise rhetorical question shifts the focus from physical healing to spiritual responsiveness. It highlights the disturbing reality of human ingratitude and the often-overlooked necessity of thanksgiving as a core element of true faith and worship. It draws a stark line between receiving a benefit and acknowledging its Divine source.
Luke 17 17 Bonus section
- The healing of the lepers occurs "as they went" (Luke 17:14), testing their faith in Jesus' command before they saw the result. Only those who obeyed experienced the cleansing. This obedience, however, was not universally followed by gratitude.
- The "wholeness" (sesōken) received by the Samaritan in Luke 17:19 carries the connotation of salvation or being made spiritually well, a deeper blessing than mere physical cleansing (ekatharisthēsan). This suggests that true gratitude and acknowledgment lead to a fuller experience of God's grace.
- The fact that the grateful one was a Samaritan is a significant Gospel emphasis by Luke, who often portrays marginalized individuals (e.g., the Good Samaritan, the Publican in the temple) as exemplary figures of faith. It critiques the religious piety of those who outwardly obey but lack heartfelt connection.
- This verse can prompt reflection on our own responses to God's daily mercies and significant interventions: Are we among the "ten" who receive, or the "one" who returns?
Luke 17 17 Commentary
Luke 17:17 serves as a poignant reminder that while many receive God's blessings, few genuinely respond with the heart of gratitude and worship He desires. Jesus' question isn't born of ignorance but sorrow, highlighting the widespread spiritual blindness that overlooks the Giver for the gift. The cleansing of the ten was an act of mercy for their physical affliction, fulfilling the law by directing them to the priests. Yet, the unthankfulness of the nine Jewish lepers starkly contrasts with the return of the solitary Samaritan. This narrative elevates gratitude beyond mere etiquette, portraying it as a crucial demonstration of faith and an acknowledgment of God's sovereignty. The Samaritan's act of returning to glorify God and give thanks to Jesus not only completed his physical healing but also resulted in his "wholeness" – implying salvation or spiritual restoration (v. 19), a deeper healing than the other nine experienced. The verse underscores that receiving a blessing is only part of the story; a complete response includes returning with thanksgiving and glorifying the Lord.