And he put forth [his] hand, and touched him, saying, I will: be thou clean. And immediately the leprosy departed from him.
And {G2532} he put forth {G1614} his hand {G5495}, and touched {G680} him {G846}, saying {G2036}, I will {G2309}: be thou clean {G2511}. And {G2532} immediately {G2112} the leprosy {G3014} departed {G565} from {G575} him {G846}.
Yeshua reached out his hand and touched him, saying, "I am willing! Be cleansed!" Immediately the tzara`at left him.
Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” He said. “Be clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him.
And he stretched forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou made clean. And straightway the leprosy departed from him.
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Matthew 9:29
Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you. -
Matthew 9:30
And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, See [that] no man know [it]. -
John 4:50
Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way. -
John 4:53
So the father knew that [it was] at the same hour, in the which Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth: and himself believed, and his whole house. -
Hosea 14:4
¶ I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him. -
2 Kings 5:14
Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean. -
Ezekiel 36:29
I will also save you from all your uncleannesses: and I will call for the corn, and will increase it, and lay no famine upon you.
Luke 5:13 presents a powerful moment in Jesus' ministry, showcasing His divine authority and profound compassion. This verse describes Jesus' direct interaction with a leper, an individual considered an outcast in society due to their highly contagious and debilitating disease.
Context
This healing miracle follows the leper's humble and desperate plea in Luke 5:12, where he kneels before Jesus, acknowledging His ability to make him clean. Under the Mosaic Law, lepers were ritually unclean and had to live in isolation, warning others of their presence (see Leviticus 13:45-46). Touching a leper would render a person ceremonially unclean, yet Jesus boldly extends His hand.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The Greek word for "I will" is thelō (θέλω), which conveys a strong sense of purpose and desire, often indicating divine will or intention. It's not a hesitant thought but a resolute declaration. The command "be thou clean" uses the Greek word katharisthēti (καθαρίσθητι), an aorist passive imperative, which means "be cleansed!" – a direct, powerful, and immediate command for purification.
Practical Application
Luke 5:13 encourages us to see Jesus as one who is not only able but also willing to cleanse us from all forms of spiritual and physical brokenness. Just as He reached out to the ostracized leper, He extends His grace to those who feel unclean, unworthy, or isolated today. This verse assures believers of Christ's power to provide complete and immediate transformation. It reminds us that no condition, whether physical affliction or the stain of sin, is beyond His compassionate reach and powerful will to make us whole and clean (see 1 John 1:9).