Luke 17:15

KJV

And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} one {G1520} of {G1537} them {G846}, when he saw {G1492} that {G3754} he was healed {G2390}, turned back {G5290}, and with {G3326} a loud {G3173} voice {G5456} glorified {G1392} God {G2316},

Complete Jewish Bible

One of them, as soon as he noticed that he had been healed, returned shouting praises to God,

Berean Standard Bible

When one of them saw that he was healed, he came back, praising God in a loud voice.

American Standard Version

And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, with a loud voice glorifying God;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 17:15 captures a pivotal moment in the narrative of the ten lepers, highlighting the profound and immediate response of one individual who, upon recognizing his miraculous healing by Jesus, spontaneously returned to offer fervent praise and adoration to God. This verse sets the stage for a deeper exploration of genuine gratitude and true worship, contrasting sharply with the silent departure of the other nine.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of the pericope found in [Luke 17:11-19](/luke/17-11-19 "Luke 17:11-19 - The Healing of the Ten Lepers"), which recounts Jesus' encounter with ten men afflicted with leprosy as He journeys towards Jerusalem. The narrative begins with their collective plea for mercy, followed by Jesus' instruction for them to go show themselves to the priests, a command rooted in the Mosaic Law for verifying cleansing and allowing reintegration into society (as detailed in [Leviticus 14:2](/leviticus/14-2 "Leviticus 14:2 - Law Concerning Cleansing a Leper")). The healing occurs "as they went," emphasizing the link between their obedience and the miraculous outcome. Luke 17:15 then shifts focus to the singular, exceptional response of one of these healed men, setting up the poignant contrast with the other nine who continued on their way. The subsequent verse, [Luke 17:16](/luke/17-16 "Luke 17:16 - The Samaritan Returns"), reveals the identity of this grateful individual as a Samaritan, adding a crucial layer of theological and social significance to the narrative.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Leprosy, or _tzara'at_ in Hebrew, was a devastating and highly stigmatized condition in biblical times. Beyond its physical debilitation, it rendered individuals ritually unclean and socially ostracized, forcing them into isolation from family, community, and temple worship, as prescribed in [Leviticus 13](/leviticus/13 "Leviticus 13 - Laws Concerning Leprous Diseases"). Healing from leprosy was considered a miracle of divine intervention, often seen as a power belonging solely to God ([2 Kings 5:7](/2_kings/5-7 "2 Kings 5:7 - King of Israel's Reaction to Naaman's Request")). The instruction to show oneself to the priests was not for healing, but for official verification of cleansing and subsequent re-entry into communal life. Furthermore, the revelation that the grateful leper was a Samaritan is highly significant. Deep-seated animosity and cultural-religious division existed between Jews and Samaritans ([John 4:9](/john/4-9 "John 4:9 - Jews Have No Dealings with Samaritans")), making the Samaritan's exemplary gratitude a powerful subversion of societal expectations and a testament to God's inclusive grace.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Luke's Gospel and biblical theology. The most prominent is **Profound Gratitude and Thanksgiving**, highlighting that true appreciation extends beyond merely receiving a blessing to actively acknowledging and honoring the Giver. The leper's immediate return and "loud voice glorified God" exemplify **True Worship and Glorifying God**, demonstrating a spontaneous, heartfelt act of praise that contrasts sharply with the silent departure of the others. This underscores that genuine faith often manifests in outward expressions of devotion and attributing divine power to the source of one's blessings. The narrative also subtly touches upon **Faith and Obedience**, as the healing occurred "as they went," emphasizing that their obedience to Jesus' command was intertwined with their faith. Finally, the identity of the grateful leper as a Samaritan underscores Luke's consistent theme of the **Inclusion of Outsiders and the Marginalized**, showing that God's grace and the capacity for genuine faith are not limited by ethnic or social boundaries, a motif seen throughout [Luke's Gospel](/luke "The Gospel According to Luke - The Gospel for All People").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **healed (Greek, _iáomai'_):** G2390, "to cure (literally or figuratively):--heal, make whole." This word emphasizes the complete restoration, not merely a remission of symptoms, but a profound act of divine intervention that made the leper "whole." It signifies a comprehensive recovery from a debilitating condition, pointing to the miraculous nature of Jesus' power.
* **turned back (Greek, _hypostréphō'_):** G5290, "to turn under (behind), i.e. to return (literally or figuratively):--come again, return (again, back again), turn back (again)." This verb denotes a deliberate, conscious reversal of direction. While the other nine continued their journey, this individual made an intentional choice to interrupt his path and return to the source of his blessing, signifying a profound shift in priority and focus.
* **glorified (Greek, _doxázō'_):** G1392, "to render (or esteem) glorious (in a wide application):--(make) glorify(-ious), full of (have) glory, honour, magnify." This is a powerful term indicating an act of worship, praise, and public recognition of God's majesty and power. It means to give honor, praise, or esteem, attributing the miracle directly to divine power and acknowledging God's supreme authority and goodness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And one of them,"**: This opening phrase immediately highlights the singular, exceptional response among the group of ten, drawing the reader's attention to the stark contrast that will unfold. It sets apart this individual's actions from the collective.
* **"when he saw that he was healed,"**: This clause indicates the moment of realization and perception. The healing was not just experienced passively, but consciously acknowledged and understood as a completed, miraculous fact. The verb "saw" (eídō) implies not just physical sight but also a profound comprehension of the divine nature of his restoration.
* **"turned back,"**: This signifies a deliberate and immediate change of direction. While the others continued their journey to fulfill the requirements of the Law, this individual chose to interrupt his path to fulfill a higher calling of gratitude and worship, prioritizing the Giver over the gift.
* **"and with a loud voice glorified God,"**: This describes the fervent and public nature of his worship. The "loud voice" (φωνῇ μεγάλῃ - _phōnē megalē_) emphasizes an uninhibited, passionate outburst of praise and thanksgiving, openly declaring God's power and goodness as the ultimate source of his healing. This act of glorification is the supreme expression of his gratitude and recognition of divine agency.

#### Literary Devices
The narrative of Luke 17:15 effectively employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. **Contrast** is the most prominent, immediately established by highlighting "one of them" against the implied nine who did not return. This juxtaposition powerfully emphasizes the rarity and significance of genuine gratitude. **Irony** is also at play, as the one who demonstrates exemplary thanksgiving is later revealed to be a Samaritan, an outsider typically despised by the Jewish audience. This subverts expectations and underscores God's grace extending beyond traditional boundaries, simultaneously serving as a subtle rebuke to the presumed Jewish lepers who failed to return. The healing of leprosy itself carries **Symbolism**, representing not only physical restoration but also spiritual cleansing and deliverance from the defilement of sin. The leper's return and glorification of God thus symbolize the proper response of a soul redeemed and made whole by divine grace. Finally, the phrase "with a loud voice" serves as a device of **Emphasis**, highlighting the fervent, public, and unashamed nature of the leper's praise, making his act of worship all the more striking and memorable.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly illustrates the theological principle that true gratitude is more than a fleeting emotion; it is an active, worshipful response that acknowledges God as the ultimate source of all blessings. The leper's immediate return to glorify God reveals a heart transformed by divine grace, recognizing that the miracle was not merely a physical cure but an encounter with the divine. This act of glorification aligns with the biblical mandate to offer thanks in all circumstances, understanding that our blessings are not accidental but purposeful gifts from a benevolent God. It challenges us to move beyond mere reception of gifts to a posture of profound appreciation and worship towards the Giver, recognizing His sovereignty and goodness in every aspect of our lives.

* [Psalm 107:1](/psalms/107-1 "Psalm 107:1 - Give Thanks to the LORD")
* [1 Thessalonians 5:18](/1_thessalonians/5-18 "1 Thessalonians 5:18 - Give Thanks in All Circumstances")
* [Colossians 3:17](/colossians/3-17 "Colossians 3:17 - Do Everything in the Name of Jesus, Giving Thanks")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 17:15 serves as a timeless mirror, inviting us to examine the posture of our own hearts in response to God's abundant grace. In a world prone to entitlement and forgetfulness, the Samaritan leper's immediate and public act of thanksgiving stands as a powerful counter-narrative. It prompts us to cultivate a deliberate practice of recognizing God's hand in every facet of our lives – from the miraculous to the mundane – and to articulate our gratitude not just privately, but also through our words, actions, and communal worship. This verse reminds us that genuine faith is often expressed through a grateful heart that consistently turns back to the Giver, acknowledging His sovereignty and goodness. Our response to divine blessing is not merely an optional addition to our faith, but a vital component that deepens our spiritual journey, enriches our relationship with God, and testifies to His glory before others.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What blessings in your life, both big and small, have you perhaps taken for granted, failing to pause and acknowledge God's hand in them?**
* **In what ways can you more intentionally and publicly "glorify God" for His goodness and provision in your life, following the example of the healed leper?**
* **How does the example of the Samaritan leper challenge your own expressions of gratitude, particularly when compared to others who may not acknowledge God?**
* **What steps can you take this week to cultivate a more consistently grateful heart, ensuring that your response to divine blessing is always one of turning back to God in praise and thanksgiving?**

### FAQ
**Why did only one of the ten lepers return to give thanks?**

Answer: The text does not explicitly state why the other nine did not return, but it highlights a common human tendency to receive blessings without acknowledging the Giver. While all ten obeyed Jesus' command to show themselves to the priests (a necessary step for reintegration into society according to [Leviticus 14](/leviticus/14 "Leviticus 14 - Laws of Cleansing for Leprosy")), only one recognized the deeper spiritual significance of the healing and felt compelled to offer personal, heartfelt gratitude to Jesus, and by extension, to God. This contrast emphasizes that true faith involves not just obedience to commands, but also a responsive heart of worship that prioritizes the Giver over merely receiving the gift.

**What is the significance of the one who returned being a Samaritan?**

Answer: The fact that the grateful leper was a Samaritan (revealed in [Luke 17:16](/luke/17-16 "Luke 17:16 - The Samaritan Returns")) is highly significant. Samaritans were typically despised by Jews, and there was deep-seated animosity and cultural-religious division between the two groups ([John 4:9](/john/4-9 "John 4:9 - Jews Have No Dealings with Samaritans")). Luke's Gospel frequently highlights Jesus' ministry extending to marginalized groups and outsiders, demonstrating that God's grace is not confined to traditional boundaries. This detail underscores the idea that genuine faith and gratitude can be found in unexpected places, challenging the prejudices of the time and demonstrating God's inclusive love. It also serves as a subtle rebuke to the Jewish lepers who, despite being part of the chosen people, failed to show the same level of gratitude as the "outsider."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 17:15, while focusing on the leper's response, ultimately points to Christ as the divine source of all healing and the worthy recipient of all glory. Jesus, as the Son of God, not only possessed the power to cure physical ailments like leprosy, a power previously reserved for God alone ([2 Kings 5:7](/2_kings/5-7 "2 Kings 5:7 - King of Israel's Reaction to Naaman's Request")), but He also came to offer a deeper, spiritual healing from the defilement of sin. The leper's act of "glorifying God" through Jesus foreshadows the ultimate worship due to Christ, who is God incarnate. Just as this man was made physically whole, Christ offers spiritual wholeness and reconciliation with God through His atoning sacrifice on the cross ([Colossians 1:19-20](/colossians/1-19-20 "Colossians 1:19-20 - Reconciliation Through Christ")). The grateful leper's immediate return anticipates the proper response of all who are redeemed by Christ – a life of continuous thanksgiving and glorification of God, made possible through the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). His example calls us to recognize Jesus not merely as a miracle worker, but as the divine Healer and Lord, to whom all praise and honor are due ([Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9-11 "Philippians 2:9-11 - Every Knee Shall Bow")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 30:11

Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness;

Psalms 30:12

To the end that [my] glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.

Psalms 103:1

¶ [A Psalm] of David. Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, [bless] his holy name.

Psalms 103:4

Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;

Psalms 118:18

The LORD hath chastened me sore: but he hath not given me over unto death.

Psalms 118:19

¶ Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, [and] I will praise the LORD:

Luke 17:17

And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where [are] the nine?