Jesus Heals the Ten Men With Leprosy

Very interesting story here about the 10 lepers. It appears there was only one ‘outsider’ among the group, but when you have leprosy, it’s a pretty good equalizer. However, the outsider responded differently to Jesus.

They cry out for mercy and Jesus tells them to do what the law says you are to do when you’ve been healed…go and show the priest and have them verify it. It says, “as they went” they were healed — not before.

Now, here’s where the story gets interesting…No doubt, all ten were grateful and rejoiced over their healing. It’s wrong to assume the nine were ungrateful. They all received the mercy they asked for and were undoubtedly amazed and thankful for their healing. They received everything they desired — their skin healed, to rejoin society and have their normal lives back. Why come back? It’s as if the transaction was complete. We spoke to the teacher, asked for healing, he agreed and gave us instructions, and we followed them and were healed. Mission accomplished, transaction completed.

Here’s the difference: The one that came back fell at the feet of the ‘Healer’ to worship him and thank Him. He initially wanted the healing, like the others, but once healed, he didn’t just come back to be polite, he came back becuase he wanted a relationship with the actual Healer. Religion vs. Relationship. The nine did what was prescribed in the law (religion) but the one went further and wanted a relationship with the law-giver.

We see that in the way Jesus responds to the Samaritan in v.17-18…

Literal translation says, “has saved you”. It’s unfortunate it is translated the way it is IMO. We miss the true event that took place here. Jesus healed 10 men and the one Samaritan came back to worship Him (v.15-16), showing a transformation had taken place inwardly as well as on the outside. Spiritual healing took place as well as physical. He wanted a relationship with the One who healed him, not just the benefits He could provide him. Some other translations say “made you whole”. It’s the same meaning. Being made whole implies healing of body AND soul.

We can wrongly interpret this encounter as teaching us that if we have strong enough faith we can be healed. This is not the message.

QUESTION: How do we respond to answered prayer today and everyday?

Different Translations

NLT And Jesus said to the man, “Stand up and go. Your faith has healed you.”0% difference

NKJV And He said to him, “Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.”38% difference

ESV And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”44% difference

NIV Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”46% difference

NASB95 And He said to him, “Stand up and go; your faith has made you well.”32% difference

RSV And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”44% difference

YLT and he said to him, ‘Having risen, be going on, thy faith hath saved thee.’79% difference

NET 2nd ed. Then he said to the man, “Get up and go your way. Your faith has made you well.”27% difference

NRSV Then he said to him, “Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.”46% difference

AMP And He said to him, Get up and go on your way. Your faith (your trust and confidence that spring from your belief in God) has restored you to health.56% difference

CSB And he told him, “Get up and go on your way. Your faith has saved you.”38% difference

ASV And he said unto him, Arise, and go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.69% difference

GB And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way, thy saith hathe made thee whole.74% difference

LEB And he said to him, “Get up and go your way. Your faith has saved you.”28% difference

NET Then he said to the man, “Get up and go your way. Your faith has made you well.”27% difference