Charles Spurgeon Commentary Luke 17:11-12

"And it came to pass, as they were on their way to Jerusalem, that he was passing along the borders of Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, who stood afar off:" — Luke 17:11-12 (ASV)

And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers which stood afar off:

Leprosy was very common in Palestine in Christ's day. We ought to be very thankful that, in this country at least, it has almost entirely died out! There used to be a leper hospital in almost every town provided for lepers, so common was leprosy in this country. Certain diseases seem to die out gradually, and we should be very grateful that some of the worst forms of disease that afflicted people have passed away.

In this case, there were no fewer than ten in one village. They stood afar off, as was very proper, so they would not spread the contagion to others. They had to cry out and warn people not to come too near them, saying, with covered lip, 'Unclean! unclean! unclean!'

The muffled sound they made, if the word could not be distinguished, helped to warn passers-by to give them a wide berth.

And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:

Lepers were allowed to enter villages, but not to go into the large, walled towns. They were, however, commanded to stand at a certain distance from other people; and these men did so.

This must have been a terrible sight: ten men afflicted with such a horrible disease, all in one group. It shows how prevalent this disease was at that time, now happily so rare, at least among us: Ten men that were lepers.

It seemed as if the effect of sin in men became more conspicuous when the Great Healer of men was here in person. Then Satan's chain was lengthened, that he might have greater power over the bodies of men, that his Master might subdue him, and that Christ Jesus the Lord might have the greater victory over the prince of darkness.