Commentators explain the lepers' stark logic. Facing certain death from famine whether they entered the city or stayed put, their only rational choice was to risk surrendering to the enemy. As John Gill notes, if the Syrians killed them, they would 'but die,' which was their fate anyway. This illustrates that when all human options are exhausted, taking a risk on the only path with a glimmer of hope is a logical step of faith.