Luke 17:17

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} Jesus {G2424} answering {G611} said {G2036}, Were there {G2511} not {G3780} ten {G1176} cleansed {G2511}? but {G1161} where {G4226} are the nine {G1767}?

Complete Jewish Bible

Yeshua said, “Weren’t ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?

Berean Standard Bible

“Were not all ten cleansed?” Jesus asked. “Where then are the other nine?

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 17:17 captures Jesus's poignant rhetorical question following the miraculous healing of ten lepers, only one of whom, a Samaritan, returned to offer thanks. This verse serves as a powerful commentary on human nature, highlighting the common tendency to receive divine blessings without acknowledging the Giver, and implicitly contrasting the ingratitude of the many with the profound gratitude of the one. It sets the stage for Jesus's further commendation of the thankful Samaritan, underscoring the spiritual significance of a grateful heart.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within a significant narrative in [Luke's Gospel](/luke/17 "Luke 17 - Teachings on Faith and Forgiveness") that immediately follows Jesus's instructions on faith, forgiveness, and the coming of the Kingdom of God. Specifically, [Luke 17:11-16](/luke/17-11-16 "Luke 17:11-16 - The Healing of Ten Lepers") details Jesus's encounter with ten lepers who stood at a distance and cried out for mercy. Jesus, without physical touch, commanded them to "Go shew yourselves unto the priests." As they obeyed, they were miraculously cleansed. The narrative then focuses on the one Samaritan who, recognizing his healing, immediately returned to Jesus, glorifying God with a loud voice and falling at Jesus's feet to give thanks. Verse 17 is Jesus's direct response to this singular act of gratitude, setting up the profound spiritual insight given in [Luke 17:19](/luke/17-19 "Luke 17:19 - Your Faith Has Made You Well").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Leprosy in ancient Israel was not merely a physical ailment but carried immense social and religious stigma. Those afflicted were considered ceremonially unclean and were isolated from society, forced to live outside villages and towns ([Leviticus 13:45-46](/leviticus/13-45-46 "Leviticus 13:45-46 - Laws Concerning Leprosy")). Healing from leprosy required a priest's verification for re-entry into the community and temple worship ([Leviticus 14](/leviticus/14 "Leviticus 14 - Laws for Cleansing Lepers")). The fact that one of the ten was a Samaritan is highly significant. Jews and Samaritans had a deep-seated animosity, stemming from historical and theological differences ([John 4:9](/john/4-9 "John 4:9 - Jews Have No Dealings with Samaritans")). Jesus's healing of a Samaritan, and the Samaritan's subsequent grateful return, challenges prevailing prejudices and highlights God's grace extending beyond traditional boundaries.
* **Key Themes:** This passage powerfully illustrates several key themes. The most prominent is the **contrast between ingratitude and gratitude**, emphasizing that while many may receive blessings, few truly acknowledge the Giver. It underscores the **importance of thanksgiving** not merely as a social nicety but as a vital act of worship and a proper response to divine grace. The narrative also touches on the **nature of true healing**, suggesting that while all ten received physical cleansing, only the Samaritan experienced a deeper, spiritual wholeness, indicating that genuine faith involves not only receiving but also responding with worship and gratitude. This aligns with themes of **faith and obedience**, as the lepers were healed *as they went* in obedience to Jesus's command, and the Samaritan's faith was made "whole" through his thankful return ([Luke 17:19](/luke/17-19 "Luke 17:19 - Your Faith Has Made You Well")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **cleansed (Greek, _katharízō'_):** From G2511, meaning "to cleanse (literally or figuratively); (make) clean(-se), purge, purify." In this context, it refers primarily to the physical healing from leprosy, which also carried ceremonial implications of purification, allowing the lepers to be readmitted into society and religious life. The word implies a complete removal of the disease and its associated uncleanness.
* **ten (Greek, _déka'_):** From G1176, a primary number signifying the exact quantity of individuals who received the miraculous healing. The specificity of "ten" sets up the dramatic numerical contrast with the "nine" who did not return, emphasizing the widespread lack of gratitude.
* **nine (Greek, _ennéa'_):** From G1767, a primary number. This word is crucial as it highlights the vast majority who failed to return and give thanks. Jesus's rhetorical question, "but where are the nine?", draws attention to their absence and underscores the rarity of genuine, expressed gratitude.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Jesus answering said,"**: This phrase indicates Jesus's immediate and direct response to the Samaritan's act of worship and thanksgiving, which is detailed in the preceding verses. His words are not a casual observation but a profound reflection on the situation.
* **"Were there not ten cleansed?"**: This is a rhetorical question that affirms the undeniable fact of the miracle. Jesus acknowledges that all ten men, regardless of their background, received the physical healing they sought. It establishes the baseline of divine grace extended to all.
* **"but where [are] the nine?"**: This is the poignant core of the verse, another rhetorical question expressing sorrow and disappointment, not anger. It highlights the stark contrast between the universal reception of healing and the near-universal failure to respond with gratitude. The absence of the nine underscores a profound spiritual deficit.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 17:17 employs several powerful literary devices. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question**, "Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?" Jesus asks questions not to elicit information, but to provoke thought and emphasize a point. This technique underscores the obvious truth (all were healed) and highlights the surprising, lamentable reality (only one returned). This creates a stark **Contrast** between the number healed (ten) and the number who returned (one), drawing attention to the ingratitude of the majority versus the gratitude of the minority. There is also a subtle **Irony** in the fact that the one who returned was a Samaritan, an outcast in Jewish society, while the nine who did not return were likely Jews, who might have been expected to show greater religious devotion. This subverts expectations and emphasizes that true faith and gratitude can be found in unexpected places.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 17:17 profoundly illustrates God's indiscriminate grace, extended to all who seek it, yet simultaneously laments the human tendency towards ingratitude. While physical healing is a blessing, the passage suggests that true "wholeness" (as seen in the Samaritan in [Luke 17:19](/luke/17-19 "Luke 17:19 - Your Faith Has Made You Well")) involves a spiritual response of faith and thanksgiving. This act of returning to glorify God is not merely polite but an essential component of a right relationship with the divine, recognizing God as the ultimate source of all good. The verse challenges believers to move beyond merely receiving blessings to actively acknowledging and praising the Giver.

* [Psalm 103:2](/psalms/103-2 "Psalm 103:2 - Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits")
* [James 1:17](/james/1-17 "James 1:17 - Every good and perfect gift is from above")
* [Colossians 3:17](/colossians/3-17 "Colossians 3:17 - Whatever you do, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 17:17 serves as a timeless mirror, inviting us to examine our own hearts. In a world saturated with blessings, it's easy to become complacent, to receive good things—health, provision, relationships, spiritual insight—without pausing to acknowledge the divine source. Jesus's question, "but where are the nine?", echoes through the centuries, challenging us to cultivate a deliberate and consistent posture of gratitude. True faith is not just about receiving, but about responding. It calls us to remember that every good and perfect gift comes from above, and our proper response is to return thanks and glorify God, not just in private prayer, but in our lives and actions. This verse compels us to be the "one" who remembers, who returns, and who expresses heartfelt appreciation for God's boundless grace, recognizing that such a response deepens our spiritual wholeness and strengthens our relationship with the Giver.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life have I received blessings from God but failed to offer explicit thanks?**
* **How does my daily life reflect a heart of gratitude, or does it more closely resemble the nine who did not return?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a more consistent and overt spirit of thanksgiving in my walk with God?**

### FAQ

**Why did only one leper return to give thanks, and why was he a Samaritan?**

Answer: The text doesn't explicitly state why the other nine did not return, but it implies a lack of gratitude or spiritual awareness. They received the physical healing they desired and likely went immediately to the priests for ceremonial clearance to re-enter society, forgetting the Healer. The one who returned was a Samaritan, which is highly significant. In Jewish society, Samaritans were despised and considered outsiders. His return highlights that genuine faith and gratitude can be found in unexpected places, often among those considered marginalized. His act of worship and thanksgiving transcended the cultural and religious prejudices of the time, demonstrating a deeper spiritual understanding than the others. Jesus's commendation of him in [Luke 17:19](/luke/17-19 "Your Faith Has Made You Well") ("thy faith hath made thee whole") further emphasizes that his response led to a more profound, spiritual healing beyond just the physical.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 17:17, though a lament, points powerfully to the Christ-centered reality of salvation. Jesus, the Great Physician, heals not just physical ailments but the deepest spiritual leprosy of sin. The cleansing of the ten lepers foreshadows the universal offer of salvation and spiritual purification available through Christ's atoning work on the cross ([Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.")). While many receive the benefits of God's common grace or even the initial call to salvation, this verse highlights that true spiritual wholeness, a deeper healing than mere physical restoration, is found in a heart that recognizes and responds to Jesus as Lord and Savior. The Samaritan's return to glorify God and fall at Jesus's feet is a profound picture of worship and faith, mirroring the response of those who truly understand the magnitude of their redemption. It anticipates the inclusion of Gentiles into God's kingdom, demonstrating that faith and gratitude, not ethnic origin, are the true marks of those who are made "whole" by Christ's saving grace ([Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - For by grace you have been saved through faith...not a result of works")). Ultimately, Jesus's question compels us to be among the thankful, those who, having been cleansed by His blood, return to worship and live lives of grateful obedience, reflecting the true purpose of His redemptive work ([Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.")).

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

Romans 1:21

Because that, when they knew God, they glorified [him] not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

Psalms 106:13

¶ They soon forgat his works; they waited not for his counsel:

Genesis 3:9

¶ And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where [art] thou?

John 8:7

So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.

John 8:10

When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?