Albert Barnes Commentary Luke 17:12

"And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, who stood afar off:" — Luke 17:12 (ASV)

There met him. They were in his way, or in his path, as he was entering the village. They were not allowed to enter the village while they were afflicted with the leprosy (Leviticus 13:46; Numbers 5:2–3).

Lepers. See Barnes on Matthew 8:2.

Stood afar off. At a distance, as they were required by law. They were unclean, and it was not lawful for them to come near those who were in health. As Jesus was traveling, they were also walking in the opposite direction. Seeing him and knowing they were unclean, they stopped or turned aside to avoid exposing others to the contagion.