Luke 17:16

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And fell down on [his] face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.

Complete Jewish Bible:

and fell on his face at Yeshua’s feet to thank him. Now he was from Shomron.

Berean Standard Bible:

He fell facedown at Jesus’ feet in thanksgiving to Him—and he was a Samaritan.

American Standard Version:

and he fell upon his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And^{G2532} fell down^{G4098} on^{G1909} his face^{G4383} at^{G3844} his^{G846} feet^{G4228}, giving^{G2168} him^{G846} thanks^{G2168}: and^{G2532} he^{G846} was^{G2258} a Samaritan^{G4541}.

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Commentary for Luke 17:16

Luke 17:16 is a verse that captures a moment of gratitude and cultural tension within the historical and religious context of the time. The verse is part of a larger narrative where Jesus is approached by ten lepers who seek healing. Leprosy was a highly contagious and devastating skin disease in the ancient world, and those afflicted were often ostracized from society, including being excluded from religious and community life, as per the laws outlined in the Old Testament (Leviticus 13-14).

In this account, Jesus instructs the lepers to show themselves to the priests, which was a requirement for those who were healed of leprosy to be declared clean and re-admitted into the community (Leviticus 14:2-32). As they go, they are healed. However, only one of them, a Samaritan, returns to Jesus to express his gratitude. The Samaritans were a group of people who were related to the Jews but had a different worship tradition and were often despised by the Jews due to historical and theological disputes.

The verse highlights several themes:

1. Gratitude: The act of the Samaritan falling on his face at Jesus' feet in thanksgiving stands in stark contrast to the ingratitude of the other nine lepers, who, despite being healed, do not return to give thanks. This demonstrates the importance of expressing gratitude, especially to God, for blessings received.

2. Humility: The Samaritan's posture of falling on his face is a sign of deep humility and reverence before Jesus, acknowledging the source of his healing.

3. Inclusion and Boundless Compassion: Jesus heals all ten lepers, regardless of their ethnic or religious background. The Samaritan's thankfulness is noted by Jesus, emphasizing that gratitude is a virtue valued by Jesus, and that His compassion extends beyond the traditional Jewish boundaries.

4. Faith and Salvation: The Samaritan's actions imply a recognition of Jesus' authority and divinity, suggesting that his faith has played a role in his healing. Jesus even comments in the following verse (Luke 17:17) that the Samaritan's faith has made him well, indicating a spiritual dimension to his healing.

In summary, Luke 17:16 encapsulates a powerful message of gratitude, humility, and the inclusive nature of Jesus' ministry. It challenges the listener or reader to reflect on their own expressions of thankfulness and the boundaries they may unconsciously place on their compassion and sense of community. The historical context of Jewish-Samaritan relations underscores the significance of a Samaritan being the one to exemplify these virtues, thus reinforcing the radical nature of Jesus' teachings on love, acceptance, and the universality of God's grace.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G2532
   There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: καί
   Transliteration: kaí
   Pronunciation: kahee
   Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
   
2. Strong's Number: G4098
   There are 85 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: πίπτω
   Transliteration: píptō
   Pronunciation: pet'-o
   Description: probably akin to πέτομαι through the idea of alighting; to fall (literally or figuratively):--fail, fall (down), light on.
   
3. Strong's Number: G1909
   There are 790 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐπί
   Transliteration: epí
   Pronunciation: ep-ee'
   Description: a primary preposition; properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e. over, upon, etc.; of rest (with the dative case) at, on, etc.; of direction (with the accusative case) towards, upon, etc.:--about (the times), above, after, against, among, as long as (touching), at, beside, X have charge of, (be-, (where-))fore, in (a place, as much as, the time of, -to), (because) of, (up-)on (behalf of), over, (by, for) the space of, through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), with. In compounds it retains essentially the same import, at, upon, etc. (literally or figuratively).
   
4. Strong's Number: G4383
   There are 73 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: πρόσωπον
   Transliteration: prósōpon
   Pronunciation: pros'-o-pon
   Description: from πρός and (the visage, from ὀπτάνομαι); the front (as being towards view), i.e. the countenance, aspect, appearance, surface; by implication, presence, person:--(outward) appearance, X before, countenance, face, fashion, (men's) person, presence.
   
5. Strong's Number: G3844
   There are 189 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: παρά
   Transliteration: pará
   Pronunciation: par-ah'
   Description: a primary preposition; properly, near; i.e. (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with dative case) at (or in) the vicinity of (objectively or subjectively), (with accusative case) to the proximity with (local (especially beyond or opposed to) or causal (on account of):--above, against, among, at, before, by, contrary to, X friend, from, + give (such things as they), + that (she) had, X his, in, more than, nigh unto, (out) of, past, save, side…by, in the sight of, than, (there-)fore, with. In compounds it retains the same variety of application.
   
6. Strong's Number: G846
   There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: αὐτός
   Transliteration: autós
   Pronunciation: ow-tos'
   Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ.
   
7. Strong's Number: G4228
   There are 86 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: πούς
   Transliteration: poús
   Pronunciation: pooce
   Description: a primary word; a "foot" (figuratively or literally):--foot(-stool).
   
8. Strong's Number: G2168
   There are 38 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: εὐχαριστέω
   Transliteration: eucharistéō
   Pronunciation: yoo-khar-is-teh'-o
   Description: from εὐχάριστος; to be grateful, i.e. (actively) to express gratitude (towards); specially, to say grace at a meal:--(give) thank(-ful, -s).
   
9. Strong's Number: G2258
   There are 416 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἦν
   Transliteration: ēn
   Pronunciation: ane
   Description: imperfect of εἰμί; I (thou, etc.) was (wast or were):--+ agree, be, X have (+ charge of), hold, use, was(-t), were.
   
10. Strong's Number: G4541
    There are 9 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: Σαμαρείτης
    Transliteration: Samareítēs
    Pronunciation: sam-ar-i'-tace
    Description: from Σαμάρεια; a Samarite, i.e. inhabitant of Samaria:--Samaritan.