Luke is the only gospel writer who recorded the familiar story about the ten lepers who Jesus healed and only one returned to thank Him. This account found in Luke 17:11-19 would interest Luke more than the other three gospel writers because Luke was a physician.
Most of the time, the story is taught only on the surface. When the layers are peeled back, people will see there is more to the story than ten lepers being healed, and only one leper returning to thank Jesus for healing him.
There are reasons that the one returned, and there are reasons the nine did not return.
Who was the leper that returned to thank Jesus
“11 On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. 12 And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance 13 and 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.” And as they went they were cleansed. 15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; 16 and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. 17 Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? 18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”(Luke 17:11-19)
Why did the leper came back to Jesus
Jesus told the ten to go show the priests and on the way, they were healed! Most of the miraculously healed lepers continued to the priest. But, one, just one out of ten returned! Luke goes on to say that the one who returned was a Samaritan.
We can almost hear the sadness and disappointment in Jesus’ words when he asks-
“Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?”
The Samaritan who was hated by the Jews was the only one who had the decency to return and thank his healer. No one else did. When he turned back to thank Jesus he received an even greater blessing than being healed from his leprosy. He received spiritual salvation as well as physical healing!
