Luke 17:18

There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.

There are {G2147} not {G3756} found {G2147} that returned {G5290} to give {G1325} glory {G1391} to God {G2316}, save {G1508} this {G3778} stranger {G241}.

Was no one found coming back to give glory to God except this foreigner?”

Was no one found except this foreigner to return and give glory to God?”

Were there none found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger?

Commentary on Luke 17:18 (KJV)

Luke 17:18 is a poignant verse found within the compelling narrative of Jesus healing ten lepers. After Jesus miraculously cleansed all ten, He observed that only one returned to express gratitude and praise God. This verse highlights the stark contrast between the majority's ingratitude and the singular, unexpected act of thanksgiving.

Context

This verse is the climax of the account in Luke 17:11-19. Jesus was traveling between Samaria and Galilee when He encountered ten men afflicted with leprosy, who stood at a distance and cried out for mercy. Jesus instructed them to "go shew yourselves unto the priests," which was the prescribed Mosaic law for certifying cleansing from leprosy (Leviticus 14:2). As they went, they were made clean. However, only one of them, identified specifically in Luke 17:16 as a Samaritan, turned back to fall at Jesus' feet, giving thanks and glorifying God. Jesus's question in verse 17 ("Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?") sets up the powerful observation of verse 18, emphasizing the absence of the other nine and the unique response of the "stranger."

Key Themes

  • Gratitude vs. Ingratitude: The primary message is the striking difference in response to divine favor. While all ten received a miraculous healing, only one responded with heartfelt thanks, demonstrating that receiving a blessing does not automatically lead to a grateful heart.
  • Giving Glory to God: The Samaritan's act of returning and giving thanks is equated with "giving glory to God." This illustrates that genuine gratitude is a form of worship and acknowledgment of God's goodness.
  • Faith and Salvation: Though all were healed physically, only the Samaritan received the additional blessing of spiritual wholeness, as Jesus declares in the subsequent verse, "Thy faith hath made thee whole." His faith prompted his gratitude, leading to a deeper restoration.
  • Breaking Social Barriers: The fact that the one who returned was a Samaritan ("stranger") is significant. Samaritans were often despised by Jews, yet this outcast demonstrated more spiritual insight and humility than the nine Jewish lepers, challenging ethnic and religious prejudices.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV term "stranger" translates the Greek word allogenēs (ἀλλογενὴς), which literally means "of another race" or "foreigner." In this context, it specifically refers to the Samaritan, highlighting his non-Jewish background. This detail underscores the theme that true faith and gratitude can be found in unexpected places, transcending cultural and religious divides that existed in Jesus's time.

Significance & Application

Luke 17:18 serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of gratitude and thanksgiving in our lives. It challenges believers to reflect on how often we receive blessings—physical, spiritual, or material—and neglect to acknowledge the Giver. The Samaritan's example teaches us that true appreciation involves not just receiving, but also returning to praise and give glory to God in all things. It encourages us to cultivate a heart of thanksgiving, recognizing God's hand in every good gift and expressing our praise freely, regardless of our background or circumstances.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Psalms 50:23

    Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth [his] conversation [aright] will I shew the salvation of God.

  • Matthew 15:24

    But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

  • Matthew 15:28

    Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great [is] thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

  • Psalms 106:13

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

  • Isaiah 42:12

    Let them give glory unto the LORD, and declare his praise in the islands.

  • Revelation 14:7

    Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.

  • Matthew 8:12

    But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

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