Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Luke 17:17

"And Jesus answering said, Were not the ten cleansed? but where are the nine?" — Luke 17:17 (ASV)

Jesus’ command required obedience based on some faith in his healing ability (cf. Matthew 12:13; Mark 3:5). On their way to the priests, the lepers are “cleansed.” Jesus, however, uses the more comprehensive word “made well” (v.19; GK 3392) when he speaks to the Samaritan who returned to give thanks. The stress in this story is on the openly expressed gratitude of the Samaritan, who alone brought praise to God (vv.15–16).