Luke 17:16

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 17:16 captures a pivotal moment in the narrative of Jesus healing ten lepers, highlighting the unique response of one individual. After receiving miraculous physical cleansing, this verse describes how one of the healed, a Samaritan, immediately returned to Jesus. He prostrated himself at Jesus' feet in profound humility and gratitude, offering heartfelt thanks, thereby setting himself apart from the other nine who continued on their way. This singular act of worship and appreciation underscores the transformative power of genuine faith and the unexpected sources from which it can emerge.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of the account of Jesus healing the ten lepers, found in [Luke 17:11-19](/luke/17-11-19 "Luke 17:11-19 - Jesus Heals Ten Lepers"). Jesus is on His way to Jerusalem, and as He enters a village, He is met by ten lepers who stand at a distance and cry out for mercy. Jesus, without touching them, simply commands them to "Go, show yourselves to the priests." This command aligns with the Mosaic Law found in [Leviticus 14](/leviticus/14 "Leviticus 14 - Laws Concerning Cleansing from Leprosy"), which required a priest's verification for a leper to be declared clean and reintegrated into society. The miraculous healing occurs "as they went." Verse 16 then focuses on the singular, unexpected response of one of the healed, contrasting sharply with the silence of the other nine. This narrative serves as a powerful illustration of gratitude, faith, and the nature of true worship.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Understanding Luke 17:16 requires an appreciation for the severe social and religious implications of leprosy and the deep-seated animosity between Jews and Samaritans. In ancient Israel, "leprosy" was a broad term encompassing various debilitating skin diseases, not exclusively Hansen's disease. Individuals afflicted were considered ceremonially unclean and were forcibly ostracized from their communities, living in isolation and required to warn others of their presence by crying "Unclean! Unclean!" as detailed in [Leviticus 13:45-46](/leviticus/13-45-46 "Leviticus 13:45-46 - The Law for the Leper"). Healing from such a condition was seen as a profound act of divine intervention, often equated with resurrection. Furthermore, Samaritans were a mixed ethnic and religious group, descendants of Israelites who intermarried with foreign settlers after the Assyrian conquest. They were deeply despised by orthodox Jews, who viewed them as heretics and half-breeds, avoiding all contact and considering their worship illegitimate. For a Samaritan to be the sole individual to return and express profound gratitude to a Jewish Messiah was an astonishing reversal of societal expectations, challenging the prejudices prevalent in that era.

* **Key Themes:** The narrative of the ten lepers, culminating in the Samaritan's response in [Luke 17:16](/luke/17-16 "Luke 17:16 - The Thankful Samaritan"), develops several profound themes. Firstly, it starkly contrasts **Gratitude vs. Ingratitude**, highlighting the importance of acknowledging divine blessings, a point Jesus Himself emphasizes in [Luke 17:17-18](/luke/17-17-18 "Luke 17:17-18 - Where Are the Nine?"). Secondly, the Samaritan's posture of falling on his face signifies **Humility and Worship**, recognizing Jesus' divine authority and power beyond mere social etiquette. Thirdly, while all ten received physical healing, Jesus' declaration to the Samaritan in [Luke 17:19](/luke/17-19 "Luke 17:19 - Your Faith Has Made You Whole")—"Your faith has made you whole"—suggests a deeper **Faith and Salvation**, implying spiritual wholeness in addition to physical cleansing. Finally, the story powerfully illustrates Jesus' **Breaking Down Barriers** and His inclusive ministry, as He extends compassion and healing to all, regardless of social or ethnic standing, a theme consistently seen in His interactions with marginalized groups, including the Samaritan woman at the well in [John 4:7-42](/john/4-7-42 "John 4:7-42 - Jesus and the Samaritan Woman").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **fell down (Greek, _píptō_):** G4098. This word signifies to fall, often implying a sudden or involuntary descent, but in this context, it denotes a deliberate act of prostration. It conveys a posture of extreme humility, reverence, submission, or worship, similar to falling before a king or deity. The act of falling on one's face was a common expression of profound respect and adoration in the ancient Near East.
* **giving thanks (Greek, _eucharistéō_):** G2168. Derived from a root meaning "good grace" or "well-pleasing," this verb means "to be grateful" or "to express gratitude." It's not merely a casual thank you, but an active, heartfelt expression of appreciation. This term is also the root for "Eucharist," emphasizing the deep thankfulness inherent in Christian communion.
* **face (Greek, _prósōpon_):** G4383. This word refers to the front, the countenance, or the aspect. In the phrase "fell down on his face," it precisely describes the physical act of prostrating oneself, with the face touching the ground, signifying complete abasement and devotion.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And fell down on [his] face":** This clause describes the Samaritan's immediate and profound physical response. To fall on one's face was a universally understood gesture of deep reverence, humility, and submission in the ancient world. It signifies an act of worship, acknowledging the superior authority and power of the one before whom one prostrates oneself. It is a posture of complete surrender and adoration.
* **"at his feet":** This detail further emphasizes the Samaritan's humility and the object of his worship. Placing oneself at another's feet denotes submission, allegiance, and a recognition of the other's elevated status. In this context, it underscores the Samaritan's recognition of Jesus' divine power and authority as the source of his healing.
* **"giving him thanks":** This phrase reveals the inner motive behind the Samaritan's prostration. It was an expression of profound gratitude, not just for the physical healing, but for the compassionate grace extended to him. This thankfulness was active and demonstrative, contrasting with the presumed silence of the other nine.
* **"and he was a Samaritan":** This final, seemingly simple clause is profoundly significant. It identifies the ethnicity of the thankful leper, immediately highlighting the social and religious barriers that were overcome. Given the deep animosity between Jews and Samaritans, this detail elevates the Samaritan's act of gratitude and worship, making him an unexpected and exemplary figure of faith. It underscores Jesus' inclusive ministry and the truth that genuine faith transcends ethnic and societal prejudices.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful **literary devices**. The primary device is **Contrast**, setting the single, grateful Samaritan apart from the nine (presumably Jewish) lepers who did not return. This contrast highlights the theme of gratitude versus ingratitude and challenges the audience's expectations. There is also significant **Irony** at play: the "unclean" and despised Samaritan is the one who demonstrates true spiritual cleanliness and exemplary faith, while the "clean" and religiously observant Jews fail to offer thanks. The act of "falling down on his face at his feet" serves as potent **Symbolism**, representing profound humility, reverence, and worship, a posture typically reserved for God or a highly revered figure. Finally, the inclusion of the Samaritan's ethnicity can be seen as **Foreshadowing** the universal reach of the Gospel, indicating that salvation and true faith are not confined to any single ethnic or religious group but extend to all who believe.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 17:16 profoundly illustrates the theological truth that genuine gratitude is a hallmark of true faith and worship. The Samaritan's immediate return and prostration before Jesus demonstrate a recognition of divine grace that transcends mere physical healing. His response moves beyond a transactional understanding of blessing to a relational one, acknowledging Jesus as the source of life and wholeness. This act challenges human prejudices, revealing that God's favor and the capacity for profound spiritual insight are not limited by ethnicity, social status, or religious affiliation. It underscores God's inclusive love and Jesus' mission to break down barriers, inviting all people into a relationship of faith and thankfulness.

* [Psalm 103:2-5](/psalms/103-2-5 "Psalm 103:2-5 - Bless the Lord, O My Soul")
* [Philippians 4:6](/philippians/4-6 "Philippians 4:6 - Do Not Be Anxious, But Pray with Thanksgiving")
* [Galatians 3:28](/galatians/3-28 "Galatians 3:28 - No Jew or Gentile, Slave or Free, Male or Female in Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The Samaritan's response in Luke 17:16 serves as a powerful mirror for our own lives, challenging us to cultivate a heart overflowing with gratitude. In a world prone to taking blessings for granted, this narrative calls us to pause, reflect, and intentionally return thanks to God for His countless mercies, both seen and unseen. It reminds us that true gratitude is not merely a fleeting emotion but a transformative act that leads to humble adoration and worship of our Savior. We are encouraged to emulate the Samaritan, whose immediate and profound thankfulness led him to prostrate himself before Jesus, recognizing the divine source of his healing and wholeness. Furthermore, this story compels us to examine our own biases and prejudices, urging us to extend grace, compassion, and love to all people, regardless of their background or perceived social standing, just as Jesus did. It's a call to see beyond superficial divisions and recognize the image of God in every individual, celebrating faith wherever it blossoms.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How often do I truly pause to give thanks for God's blessings, especially the "unseen" spiritual wholeness He offers?**
* **In what ways does my gratitude lead to a posture of humility and worship before Christ, echoing the Samaritan's prostration?**
* **Am I quick to extend grace and compassion to those society might marginalize, as Jesus did, or do my own prejudices hinder my love?**

### FAQ
**Why did only one leper return to give thanks?**

Answer: The text does not explicitly state why the other nine did not return, but their absence highlights a common human tendency: to receive a blessing and then move on without acknowledging the Giver. The nine, likely Jewish, fulfilled the letter of the law by going to the priests, but they missed the deeper spiritual response of gratitude towards their Healer. This contrast underscores the rarity and significance of genuine thankfulness.

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

Answer: This detail is profoundly significant. Samaritans were deeply despised by orthodox Jews, making the Samaritan's exemplary gratitude a powerful statement. It underscores Jesus' inclusive ministry, demonstrating that true faith and spiritual insight can be found in unexpected places, challenging the prejudices of the day. His return also foreshadows the global reach of the Gospel, extending beyond Jewish boundaries to all who believe, regardless of their background.

**Did the Samaritan receive a greater blessing than the others?**

Answer: While all ten lepers received the miraculous physical healing, Jesus' words to the Samaritan in [Luke 17:19](/luke/17-19 "Luke 17:19 - Your Faith Has Made You Whole") — "Your faith has made you whole" — suggest he received a deeper, spiritual wholeness or salvation beyond mere physical cleansing. His grateful faith connected him to Jesus in a unique and profound way, indicating a complete restoration that transcended the physical.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of the thankful Samaritan finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Just as Jesus healed the physical leprosy of the Samaritan, He, as the true Physician, offers cleansing from the spiritual leprosy of sin, which alienates humanity from God. The Samaritan's act of falling on his face at Jesus' feet, giving thanks, is a profound foreshadowing of the worship due to Christ as Lord and Savior. His inclusion, despite being an outcast, powerfully illustrates Christ's universal salvation, which breaks down all dividing walls of hostility, making Jew and Gentile one in Him, as declared in [Ephesians 2:14-16](/ephesians/2-14-16 "Ephesians 2:14-16 - Christ Our Peace, Breaking Down Walls"). The "wholeness" the Samaritan received points to the complete spiritual restoration and fullness found only in Christ, in whom we "have been made complete" ([Colossians 2:10](/colossians/2-10 "Colossians 2:10 - Complete in Christ")). His grateful response serves as a model for all believers, who, having been redeemed by the Lamb of God, are called to live lives of perpetual thanksgiving and worship, fixing their eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of their faith ([Hebrews 12:2](/hebrews/12-2 "Hebrews 12:2 - Looking to Jesus, the Founder and Perfecter of Our Faith")).

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

Acts 8:5

Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.

Acts 8:25

And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.

Matthew 10:5

¶ These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into [any] city of the Samaritans enter ye not:

Revelation 19:10

And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See [thou do it] not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

Revelation 19:4

And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia.

Revelation 19:5

¶ And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great.

Revelation 5:14

And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four [and] twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.