Luke 17:18

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 17:18 captures Jesus' poignant observation following the miraculous healing of ten lepers: only one, a Samaritan, returned to express gratitude and give glory to God. This verse starkly contrasts the widespread ingratitude of the nine Jewish lepers with the profound thanksgiving of the unexpected outsider, highlighting the spiritual significance of a grateful heart and the breaking of social barriers through faith.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the climactic statement in the narrative of Jesus healing the ten lepers, recorded in [Luke 17:11-19](/luke/17-11-19 "Luke 17:11-19 - The Healing of the Ten Lepers"). The preceding verses describe Jesus' journey between Samaria and Galilee, where he encounters ten men afflicted with leprosy. They stand at a distance, crying out for mercy. Jesus, without physical touch, instructs them to "go shew yourselves unto the priests," a command that tests their faith and sets in motion their cleansing. As they obey and go, they are healed. The narrative then shifts to the singular response of one of them, identified as a Samaritan, who turns back to glorify God and thank Jesus, prompting Jesus' lament in [Luke 17:17](/luke/17-17 "Luke 17:17 - Jesus' Question") about the absence of the other nine, culminating in the profound observation of verse 18.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Leprosy in ancient Israel was not merely a physical disease but carried immense social and religious stigma. Those afflicted were considered unclean, exiled from society, and required by Mosaic Law (see [Leviticus 13](/leviticus/13 "Leviticus 13 - Laws Concerning Leprosy") and [Leviticus 14](/leviticus/14 "Leviticus 14 - Cleansing from Leprosy")) to live apart and present themselves to a priest for certification of cleansing. The fact that one of the healed individuals was a Samaritan is highly significant. Samaritans were a mixed ethnic and religious group, despised by orthodox Jews due to their mixed heritage and divergent religious practices, including their own temple on Mount Gerizim. The presence of both Jews and a Samaritan among the lepers, united by their shared affliction, and then divided by their response to healing, underscores the profound social and religious barriers Jesus consistently challenged.
* **Key Themes:** The passage powerfully illustrates several key themes. Primarily, it highlights the stark **contrast between gratitude and ingratitude**, demonstrating that divine favor does not automatically produce a thankful heart. The Samaritan's act of returning is presented as **giving glory to God**, emphasizing that genuine thanksgiving is a form of worship and acknowledgment of God's goodness, a theme echoed throughout the Scriptures (e.g., [Psalm 107:8](/psalms/107-8 "Psalm 107:8 - Let them praise the Lord for his goodness")). Furthermore, while all ten received physical healing, only the Samaritan received the deeper blessing of spiritual wholeness, as Jesus declares in [Luke 17:19](/luke/17-19 "Luke 17:19 - Your Faith Has Made You Whole"), linking his **faith to salvation**. Finally, the identity of the grateful one as a "stranger" (Samaritan) powerfully demonstrates Jesus' ministry breaking down **social and ethnic barriers**, showing that true faith and spiritual insight transcend conventional religious and cultural divides.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **found (Greek, _heurískō'_):** G2147. This verb means "to find" (literally or figuratively), "get," "obtain," "perceive," or "see." In this context, it emphasizes the surprising absence of the other nine. Jesus "found" only one who returned, implying a search or expectation that was largely unmet. It highlights the rarity of true gratitude.
* **glory (Greek, _dóxa'_):** G1391. Derived from a word meaning "to seem, think," _dóxa_ refers to "glory (as very apparent)," encompassing dignity, honor, praise, or worship. To "give glory to God" means to acknowledge His inherent worth, power, and goodness, and to express praise and honor due to Him. The Samaritan's act of returning and giving thanks is explicitly equated with this act of glorifying God.
* **stranger (Greek, _allogenḗs'_):** G241. This word is formed from _állos_ (other) and _génos_ (race, kind), meaning "foreign" or "of another race." In the New Testament, it specifically denotes a non-Jew, an outsider. Its use here underscores the Samaritan's ethnic and religious distinction from the Jewish lepers, making his act of gratitude even more remarkable and challenging to the prevailing social norms.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"There are not found that returned":** This clause expresses Jesus' astonishment and disappointment. Out of the ten who were miraculously healed, the overwhelming majority failed to return. The passive voice "are not found" subtly suggests that their absence was notable and contrary to expectation, highlighting a profound lack of gratitude.
* **"to give glory to God":** This phrase identifies the purpose of the one who returned. His action was not merely an expression of thanks to Jesus, but an act of worship directed towards God. It signifies a recognition of the divine source of his healing and an appropriate response of praise and honor to the Giver of all good gifts.
* **"save this stranger":** This concluding phrase delivers the poignant punchline. The sole exception to the ingratitude of the nine is precisely the one least expected by Jewish society—a Samaritan, an "outsider." This highlights God's grace extending beyond traditional boundaries and challenges the prejudices of the time, showing that spiritual responsiveness can be found in unexpected places.

#### Literary Devices
Luke's account masterfully employs several literary devices. **Contrast** is central, starkly juxtaposing the nine ungrateful Jewish lepers with the single, thankful Samaritan. This highlights the unexpected source of true spiritual insight. The **Rhetorical Question** posed by Jesus in the preceding verse ([Luke 17:17](/luke/17-17 "Luke 17:17 - Jesus' Question"), "Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?") sets up the dramatic reveal of verse 18, drawing the listener into Jesus' lament and emphasizing the profound ingratitude. There is also a subtle **Irony** at play: those who were religiously and ethnically "inside" (the Jews) failed to respond appropriately, while the "outsider" (the Samaritan) demonstrated true faith and gratitude. Finally, the "stranger" himself functions as a **Symbol** of those marginalized by society, yet who often prove more receptive to God's grace and more spiritually discerning than those who consider themselves privileged.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 17:18 offers a profound theological statement on the nature of gratitude as an essential component of genuine faith and worship. It teaches that while God's grace is freely given, the appropriate human response is not merely passive reception but active thanksgiving and glorification of God. The Samaritan's return underscores that true spiritual insight and a heart of worship can transcend societal and religious boundaries, demonstrating that God's favor is not limited by human prejudice or ethnic lineage. This narrative serves as a powerful reminder that God values a grateful heart, which is a direct reflection of recognizing His sovereignty and goodness in our lives.

* [Psalm 103:2](/psalms/103-2 "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits")
* [Colossians 3:17](/colossians/3-17 "Do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks")
* [1 Thessalonians 5:18](/1_thessalonians/5-18 "Give thanks in all circumstances")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 17:18 challenges us to deeply examine our own hearts and responses to the blessings we receive. How often do we, like the nine lepers, receive God's grace—whether in healing, provision, or spiritual insight—and simply move on, forgetting to return and give Him thanks? The Samaritan's example calls us to cultivate a posture of intentional gratitude, recognizing that thanksgiving is not merely good manners, but a vital act of worship that acknowledges God's hand in every aspect of our lives. It reminds us that true wholeness encompasses not just physical well-being, but a spiritual restoration that expresses itself in praise and adoration. This passage encourages us to be mindful of God's countless mercies and to actively respond with hearts overflowing with praise, regardless of our past or present circumstances.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What blessings in your life have you received from God that you may have taken for granted or failed to acknowledge with specific gratitude?**
* **How does the Samaritan's act of "giving glory to God" inform your understanding of what true thanksgiving entails?**
* **In what ways might you be like the nine lepers, receiving a blessing but neglecting to return to the Giver?**
* **How can cultivating a more intentional practice of gratitude transform your daily walk with God?**

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

Answer: The text doesn't explicitly state the reasons for the nine's failure to return, but it implies a lack of gratitude or spiritual perception. They received the physical healing they sought and perhaps immediately focused on rejoining society and fulfilling the Mosaic Law's requirements for cleansing (as outlined in [Leviticus 14](/leviticus/14 "Laws for Cleansing Lepers")). Their focus might have been solely on the benefit received, rather than on the Benefactor. The Samaritan, however, demonstrated a deeper understanding and a heart moved to worship, recognizing Jesus as the source of divine power and mercy. His return was an act of faith and profound thanksgiving, highlighting that receiving a blessing does not automatically lead to a grateful heart.

**What is the significance of the one who returned being a "stranger" (Samaritan)?**

Answer: The fact that the grateful leper was a Samaritan is profoundly significant. Samaritans were ethnically and religiously distinct from Jews, often despised and ostracized by them. In a society rife with prejudice, Jesus consistently highlighted the faith of outsiders (e.g., the Roman centurion in [Luke 7:1-10](/luke/7-1-10 "The Faith of the Centurion") or the good Samaritan in [Luke 10:25-37](/luke/10-25-37 "The Parable of the Good Samaritan")). Here, the "stranger" demonstrates more spiritual insight and humility than the nine Jewish lepers, challenging the prevailing social and religious norms and underscoring that God's grace and true faith are not confined to any particular group or ethnicity. It foreshadows the universal scope of the Gospel.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 17:18, while a powerful lesson on gratitude, ultimately points to Christ as the ultimate Healer and the one worthy of all glory. The physical cleansing of the lepers foreshadows the spiritual cleansing from sin that only Jesus can provide. Just as the Samaritan returned to give glory to God, recognizing Jesus' divine power, so too are we called to return to Christ with hearts full of thanksgiving for the profound spiritual healing He offers. He is the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), providing not just physical restoration but complete spiritual wholeness, making us [new creations in Christ Jesus](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ"). The Samaritan's faith, which Jesus declares "has made you whole" in [Luke 17:19](/luke/17-19 "Your Faith Has Made You Whole"), points to the saving faith in Jesus that brings not just physical healing but eternal life and reconciliation with God. His act of falling at Jesus' feet is a model of worshipful submission to the One who has triumphed over sin and death, inviting all, regardless of their background, to come and give Him the glory due His name, for He is the [Savior of all mankind](/1_timothy/4-10 "1 Timothy 4:10 - God is the Savior of all people").

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 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.