Luke 5:12

KJV

¶ And it came to pass, when he was in a certain city, behold a man full of leprosy: who seeing Jesus fell on [his] face, and besought him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} it came to pass {G1096}, when he {G846} was {G1511}{G1722} in {G1722} a certain {G3391} city {G4172},{G2532} behold {G2400} a man {G435} full {G4134} of leprosy {G3014}: who {G2532} seeing {G1492} Jesus {G2424} fell {G4098} on {G1909} his face {G4383}, and besought {G1189} him {G846}, saying {G3004}, Lord {G2962}, if {G1437} thou wilt {G2309}, thou canst {G1410} make {G2511} me {G3165} clean {G2511}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Once, when Yeshua was in one of the towns, there came a man completely covered with tzara`at. On seeing Yeshua, he fell on his face and begged him, "Sir, if you are willing, you can make me clean."

Berean Standard Bible

While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell facedown and begged Him, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.”

American Standard Version

And it came to pass, while he was in one of the cities, behold, a man full of leprosy: and when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face, and besought him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 5:12 captures a profound moment in Jesus' ministry, illustrating His divine authority over sickness and His boundless compassion for the marginalized. As Jesus ministers in a city, He is approached by a man suffering from advanced leprosy, a condition that rendered him an outcast from society and worship. Despite his desperate state, the leper demonstrates remarkable humility and faith, falling before Jesus and declaring, "Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean," thereby acknowledging Jesus' inherent power and submitting to His sovereign will. This encounter sets the stage for a miraculous cleansing that transcends physical healing, signifying spiritual restoration and the breaking of societal and religious barriers.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Luke 5:12 is strategically placed within Luke's narrative to highlight the burgeoning scope and authority of Jesus' ministry. It follows a series of powerful demonstrations of Jesus' power, including the miraculous catch of fish and the calling of Peter, James, and John as disciples ([Luke 5:1-11](/luke/5-1-11 "Luke 5:1-11 - The Miraculous Catch and Calling of Disciples")). This healing of the leper serves as another compelling testament to Jesus' unique power over disease, specifically addressing a condition considered incurable and deeply defiling under the Mosaic Law. The immediate aftermath of this event, where Jesus withdraws to pray ([Luke 5:16](/luke/5-16 "Luke 5:16 - Jesus Withdraws to Pray")), underscores His reliance on the Father amidst His growing popularity and demanding ministry. The subsequent healing of the paralytic ([Luke 5:17-26](/luke/5-17-26 "Luke 5:17-26 - Healing of the Paralytic")) further escalates the controversy with the religious authorities, as Jesus claims the power to forgive sins, demonstrating His authority over both physical and spiritual maladies.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, "leprosy" (Hebrew: _tzara'at_) was a broad term encompassing various debilitating skin conditions, not solely modern Hansen's disease. According to the Mosaic Law, individuals afflicted with leprosy were deemed ceremonially unclean ([Leviticus 13:45-46](/leviticus/13-45-46 "Leviticus 13:45-46 - Laws Concerning Leprosy")). This uncleanness was not merely physical but carried profound social and religious implications. Lepers were forcibly isolated from their communities, families, and the Temple worship, often required to wear torn clothes, leave their hair disheveled, cover their upper lip, and cry out "Unclean! Unclean!" to warn others of their presence. Their existence was one of profound loneliness, stigma, and despair, as their condition was widely believed to be a divine punishment for sin, and only God could cleanse them. The act of a leper approaching anyone, let alone a revered teacher, was an extraordinary breach of social norms, highlighting the depth of his desperation and faith.
* **Key Themes:** This encounter powerfully illustrates several core themes central to Luke's Gospel and Jesus' ministry. Firstly, it showcases **Jesus' Divine Authority over Impurity and Disease**, demonstrating His power to do what was humanly impossible and even divinely reserved (only priests could declare a leper clean, not make them clean). Secondly, it highlights **Jesus' Profound Compassion for the Outcast and Marginalized**. By allowing the leper to approach and, more significantly, by touching him, Jesus deliberately transcends the rigid purity laws that isolated the afflicted, revealing a radical love that prioritizes human need over ritualistic adherence. This act foreshadows His broader mission to seek and save the lost and unclean ([Luke 19:10](/luke/19-10 "Luke 19:10 - The Son of Man Came to Seek and Save the Lost")). Thirdly, the leper's plea exemplifies **Faith and Humility in Petition**. His declaration, "Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean," is a model of profound trust in Jesus' inherent power ("thou canst") coupled with humble submission to His sovereign will ("if thou wilt"), a posture of complete reliance. Finally, the healing underscores the theme of **Holistic Cleansing and Restoration**, where Jesus not only restores physical health but also ceremonial purity, social reintegration, and spiritual wholeness, allowing the man to return to community and worship.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **came to pass (Greek, _gínomai'_):** This verb, often translated as "to become" or "to come into being," frequently introduces significant events in the New Testament, particularly in Luke's Gospel and Acts. Here, it signals that the encounter with the leper is not a random occurrence but an unfolding event within God's sovereign plan, emphasizing the divine orchestration of Jesus' ministry and the miracles He performs. It suggests a purposeful progression of events in salvation history.
* **besought (Greek, _déomai'_):** This word signifies a strong, earnest plea or petition, often implying a sense of binding oneself to the request. It conveys the leper's deep desperation and the intensity of his appeal to Jesus. It is not a casual request but a fervent, heartfelt supplication from one who recognizes his utter dependence on the one he addresses. The leper is not demanding but humbly and earnestly entreating.
* **clean (Greek, _katharízō'_):** This verb means "to cleanse," "to purify," or "to make clean." Its significance here is twofold: it refers to physical healing from the disease of leprosy, but also, crucially, to ceremonial and ritual purification. Under the Mosaic Law, only God could truly cleanse a leper, enabling them to be reintegrated into the community and Temple worship. Thus, the leper's request for cleansing implies a desire for holistic restoration—physical, social, and spiritual—and Jesus' ability to grant it demonstrates His divine authority over both physical illness and ritual impurity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And it came to pass, when he was in a certain city, behold a man full of leprosy:"** The narrative begins by establishing the setting—Jesus' itinerant ministry in an unnamed city, highlighting His accessibility. The phrase "behold a man full of leprosy" dramatically introduces the central figure, emphasizing the severity and pervasive nature of his condition. "Full of leprosy" (Greek: _plērēs lepras_) suggests an advanced, perhaps terminal, stage of the disease, underscoring the man's profound suffering and isolation.
* **"who seeing Jesus fell on [his] face, and besought him, saying,"** This clause describes the leper's extraordinary action. Despite the social prohibition against his presence, he courageously approaches Jesus. His act of "falling on his face" is a profound gesture of humility, reverence, and desperate submission, acknowledging Jesus' superior authority and power. The verb "besought" (Greek: _déomai_) conveys the earnestness and intensity of his plea, indicating a deeply felt need and a fervent request.
* **"Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean."** This is the heart of the leper's petition, a remarkable expression of faith and humility. By addressing Jesus as "Lord" (Greek: _kýrios_), he recognizes Jesus' authority and divine status. The phrase "if thou wilt" (Greek: _eán thélō_) demonstrates his submission to Jesus' sovereign will, acknowledging that while he desires healing, he trusts in Jesus' perfect timing and purpose. Crucially, "thou canst" (Greek: _dýnamai_) expresses absolute confidence in Jesus' inherent power and ability to perform the miracle. The request "make me clean" (Greek: _katharízō me_) encompasses both physical healing and ceremonial purification, signifying a desire for complete restoration to health, community, and worship.

#### Literary Devices
Luke's account of the leper's healing employs several potent literary devices to enhance its impact. **Symbolism** is paramount, as leprosy itself functions as a powerful symbol of sin, uncleanness, and separation from God and community. The leper's desperate state mirrors humanity's spiritual brokenness and alienation from a holy God. Jesus' act of cleansing, therefore, symbolizes His greater power to purify humanity from the defilement of sin. There is also a strong element of **Pathos**, evoking deep sympathy for the leper's plight—his physical suffering, social ostracization, and the profound humility of his desperate plea. The scene is imbued with emotional weight, drawing the reader into the leper's experience. Furthermore, a subtle **Dramatic Irony** is present: while the Mosaic Law prescribed that touching a leper would make one unclean, Jesus, the embodiment of purity and holiness, touches the leper and, rather than becoming unclean Himself, makes the leper clean. This reversal underscores Jesus' divine nature and His authority over the Law's ceremonial requirements, demonstrating that He is the source of true purity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The healing of the leper in Luke 5:12 is a profound theological statement, showcasing Jesus' unique authority as the Messiah and the nature of His kingdom. It demonstrates that Jesus' power extends beyond physical ailments to encompass ceremonial impurity and social ostracism, thereby challenging the rigid boundaries of the Old Covenant purity laws. His willingness to touch the leper, an act that would have rendered any other person unclean, reveals His divine prerogative to make the unclean clean, signifying His mission to bring holistic restoration—physical, social, and spiritual—to humanity. This miracle points to the ultimate cleansing from sin that Jesus would accomplish through His atoning work, making a way for all who are "unclean" by sin to be reconciled to God and brought into His community. It underscores that true purity comes not from ritualistic separation but from transformative encounter with the Holy One.

* [2 Kings 5:1-14](/2_kings/5-1-14 "2 Kings 5:1-14 - Naaman's Cleansing from Leprosy")
* [Matthew 10:7-8](/matthew/10-7-8 "Matthew 10:7-8 - Jesus Sends Out the Twelve")
* [Hebrews 9:13-14](/hebrews/9-13-14 "Hebrews 9:13-14 - The Superiority of Christ's Sacrifice")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The encounter in Luke 5:12 offers a timeless blueprint for approaching God with our deepest needs. The leper, utterly undone by his condition and societal rejection, approached Jesus not with demands, but with a profound blend of desperate faith and humble submission. He recognized Jesus' absolute power ("thou canst") while entrusting himself entirely to Jesus' perfect will ("if thou wilt"). This posture challenges us to examine our own prayers and petitions. Do we truly believe in Jesus' limitless ability to intervene in our lives, no matter how dire our "leprosy" (be it sin, addiction, broken relationships, despair, or physical illness) may seem? And are we willing to surrender our desires to His sovereign wisdom, trusting that His will is always good, even if it differs from our immediate expectations? This passage also calls us to embody Jesus' compassion. Just as Jesus reached out to the most ostracized individual of His day, we are challenged to identify and minister to the "outcasts" in our own communities—those marginalized by society, forgotten by the church, or suffering in silence. Our faith should lead us not to recoil from the unclean, but to extend the cleansing, healing, and restoring love of Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "leprosy" (deep-seated sin, unhealed wound, persistent struggle) am I carrying that I need to bring to Jesus with the same humility and faith as the man in this passage?**
* **How does the leper's balance of "thou canst" and "if thou wilt" inform my own prayer life and my understanding of God's sovereignty?**
* **In what ways can I, as a follower of Christ, extend compassion and practical help to those who are marginalized or considered "unclean" in my own community or sphere of influence?**
* **What does this miracle teach me about Jesus' authority over all forms of impurity, both physical and spiritual?**

### FAQ
**Was leprosy in biblical times the same as modern Hansen's disease?**

Answer: No, the biblical term "leprosy" (Hebrew: _tzara'at_, Greek: _lépra_) was a broader category than modern Hansen's disease. It encompassed a variety of chronic, often disfiguring, skin conditions, and even mildew or mold on clothes and houses. While Hansen's disease may have been included, the biblical description and the associated ritual purity laws in [Leviticus 13](/leviticus/13 "Leviticus 13 - Laws Concerning Skin Diseases and Mildew") and [Leviticus 14](/leviticus/14 "Leviticus 14 - Rituals for Cleansing from Leprosy") indicate a range of afflictions that rendered a person ceremonially unclean and socially isolated. The emphasis was less on the specific pathology and more on the ritual impurity and separation it caused.

**Did Jesus break the Law by touching the leper?**

Answer: From a strict ceremonial perspective, touching a leper would indeed render a person ritually unclean according to [Leviticus 5:3](/leviticus/5-3 "Leviticus 5:3 - Laws Concerning Uncleanliness"). However, Jesus did not break the moral law, and His actions consistently demonstrated His divine authority over the ceremonial law. Rather than becoming defiled by the leper's uncleanness, Jesus' purity and power were so overwhelming that He imparted cleanness to the leper. This act was a powerful demonstration that He was not merely a prophet but the Lord of the Law, capable of reversing the flow of impurity and bringing about true cleansing and restoration. His touch was an act of divine compassion and power, not a violation.

**What does "if thou wilt" imply about God's will in healing today?**

Answer: The leper's "if thou wilt" (Greek: _eán thélō_) reflects a humble submission to God's sovereign will, even while expressing absolute faith in Jesus' power ("thou canst"). This phrase acknowledges that while God is always able to heal, the timing and method of healing, or even whether healing occurs, ultimately rests in His perfect wisdom and purpose. For believers today, it encourages a posture of persistent prayer and faith in God's power, coupled with a trust in His ultimate plan, which may include healing, or may involve strengthening through suffering, or even glorifying Him through death. It reminds us that God's will is always good, even if it doesn't align with our immediate desires, and that His ultimate desire is our spiritual wholeness and conformity to Christ ([Romans 8:28-29](/romans/8-28-29 "Romans 8:28-29 - God Works for Our Good")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The physical cleansing of the leper in Luke 5:12 serves as a powerful microcosm and foreshadowing of the ultimate spiritual cleansing accomplished by Jesus Christ. Just as the leper was an outcast, defiled, and separated from community due to his disease, humanity is spiritually "leprous" through sin, alienated from a holy God and deserving of eternal separation ([Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All Have Sinned")). No human effort or ritual could truly cleanse this deep-seated impurity. However, Jesus, the sinless Son of God, willingly entered our "unclean" world, not to be defiled by it, but to conquer its power. His compassionate touch on the leper prefigures His willingness to take on our sin and impurity, ultimately bearing it on the cross ([1 Peter 2:24](/1_peter/2-24 "1 Peter 2:24 - Christ Bore Our Sins")). Through His sacrificial death, Jesus became the ultimate High Priest, offering a perfect and eternal sacrifice that truly cleanses us from all sin and purifies our consciences ([Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Cleansing by Christ's Blood")). The leper's restoration to society and worship points to our spiritual restoration and reconciliation with God, allowing us to enter His presence with boldness through Christ's blood ([Hebrews 10:19-22](/hebrews/10-19-22 "Hebrews 10:19-22 - Full Assurance of Faith")). Thus, the healing of the leper is not merely a historical miracle but a vivid illustration of the gospel message: Jesus Christ has the power and the will to make clean those who are utterly defiled by sin, bringing them into a new covenant of grace and a life of full communion with God ([Jeremiah 31:31-34](/jeremiah/31-31-34 "Jeremiah 31:31-34 - The New Covenant")).

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 50:15

And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.

Matthew 8:2

And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.

Matthew 8:4

And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.

Luke 17:16

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

Luke 17:12

And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:

Luke 17:13

And they lifted up [their] voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.

Mark 1:40

¶ And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.