The Ten Lepers—Only One Came Back
We reflect on the story of the ten lepers, a powerful account of healing, faith, and gratitude. While all ten were healed, only one returned to give thanks. This story challenges us to examine our own hearts: Are we like the nine who received blessings and moved on, or like the one who returned to worship and give thanks? Let us dive into this passage and learn how to cultivate a heart of gratitude that glorifies God.
This sermon is part of the series Healing Sermon Series: +10 Studies on on Divine Healing, Faith, and Restoration
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Miracle of the Healing of Ten Lepers: Jesus Has Power Over Disease
Theme: The Spiritual Meaning of Physical Healing and the Universal Reach of Salvation
Scripture Base: Lucas 17:11–19
Introduction: The Purpose of the Miracles
The miracles of Jesus Christ were never random acts of kindness or mere spectacles for the crowds. Their profound scriptural purposes were always to point directly to the existence of God, to glorify the Heavenly Father, to demonstrate the sheer greatness of His power, and to reveal Jesus as the promised Messiah and the Son of God.
Every single miracle performed by Jesus carries a deep spiritual significance. They act as mirrors indicating an unseen reality—a spiritual kingdom that is far greater than the visible world we can perceive. Through these supernatural acts, the intricate plan for the redemption of humanity is thrown wide open.
In the Gospel of Lucas, this redemptive plan is highlighted through a very specific theological lens. Luke consistently emphasizes that the Gospel is for all people, demonstrating the universal nature of Jesus’ work (Lucas 2:14; 2:29–32; 3:6; 10:1; 13:29; 24:47; cf. Atos 1:8; 28:28). Furthermore, Luke focuses his narrative heavily on the poor, the oppressed, the excluded, and the despised (Lucas 2:8–10; 6:20; 7:22; 7:36–50; 16:19–31; 19:1–10; 23:43).
Nowhere is this universal, compassionate reach clearer than on the dusty border where Jesus encounters ten desperate men.
I. The Cry from No Man’s Land (Lucas 17:11–13)
The narrative begins during a highly specific phase of Jesus' ministry. He is resolutely traveling on His way to Jerusalem, a journey Luke periodically reminds his readers about (Lucas 9:51, 53; 13:22; 18:31; 19:11, 44).
1. The Location of the Marginalized
As He passes through the physical border between Samaria and Galileia, Jesus enters a village. In this literal "no man’s land," He is met by ten lepers. Because of their condition, they were legally forced to stand at a distance (v. 12).
2. The Two Despised Groups in One
This crowd of ten represented a double layer of social and religious rejection:
• The Lepers: The affliction of leprosy—most likely Hansen’s disease, though the biblical description included various severe skin diseases—was a physical nightmare. Those who possessed it were condemned to absolute social isolation and religious exclusion under the law (Levítico 23:45–46; Números 5:2). In a spiritual sense, sin functions exactly like leprosy. It does not merely render us unclean; it cuts us off entirely from true fellowship and leaves us living outside the community of God. But Jesus came specifically as the Messiah to preach good news to the poor and to heal the lepers (Lucas 7:22).
• The Samaritano: Among the ten lepers was a Samaritano. The Samaritans were a mixed ethnic group—half-Jew and half-Gentile—resulting from the intermarriages between Israelites and Assyrians after the fall of the Northern Kingdom of Israel in 721 B.C. The Jewish people thoroughly despised them, treating them as untouchable outcasts. Yet, Jesus consistently broke these barriers: He interacted with them, preached to them (João 4:1–42), spoke of them as models of virtue (Lucas 10:25–37), and, in this text, received their raw adoration.
Bound together by a common misery, these ten men looked across the social divide and lifted up their voices: "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!" — Lucas 17:13
By calling Him by name and addressing Him as Master, they openly recognized His authority. They did not demand or plead based on merit; they begged for misericórdia—the universal cry of the marginalized.
II. Active Faith and Sudden Purification (Lucas 17:14)
When the ten lepers cried out, Jesus did not ignore them. The text records a beautiful progression of divine attention: “When He saw them...” He looked at them, He spoke directly to them, and He gave them a specific command:
"Go, show yourselves to the priests." — Lucas 17:14a
Under the law, a priest was the only authority who could legally certify that a leper was cured and fit to re-enter society. When Jesus gave this order, the lepers were still visibly covered in disease. They had to make a choice.
The scripture records the miraculous turning point: "And as they went, they were cleansed" (v. 14b). They needed to act decisively upon the words of Jesus before seeing the physical proof. This teaches us that divine grace must not only be received internally, it must be believed and actively put into practice by faith. They walked in obedience, and on the way, their leprosy suddenly vanished.
III. The Return of the One (Lucas 17:15–19)
All ten men received the miraculous physical breakthrough they desired. But the narrative takes a sharp, dramatic turn based on the response of a single individual. As the great preacher Charles Spurgeon once observed: "Ten of them prayed, but only one praised."
1. True Thanksgiving and Worship
One of them, the moment he realized he was completely healed, stopped in his tracks. He turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice (v. 15). He ran back to the source of his healing and prostrated himself with his face to the ground at the feet of Jesus, pouring out his intense gratitude (v. 16a).
The text emphasizes a shocking detail: “And he was a Samaritan” (v. 16b). The outcast of outcasts was the only one who returned to witness of God the Father and to give personal thanks to God the Son.
2. The Sorrow and Surprise of the Savior
Jesus openly expressed a profound sadness and surprise regarding the other nine:
"Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?" — Lucas 17:17–18
The nine who possessed the cultural lineage and religious heritage of Israel took the blessing and walked away to pursue their lives. Only the "foreigner" came back to offer true worship.
3. Whole Restoration
Jesus then looked at the prostrated Samaritan and declared: "Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well." — Lucas 17:19
In the original Greek text, the word translated as "made you well" or "healed you" is sōzō. Literally, sōzō means to save, deliver, protect, heal, preserve, and to be made completely whole.
While the other nine lepers certainly experienced a genuine physical cure from their leprosy, they walked away with their bodies intact but their souls unchanged. The Samaritan, however, received something far grander. Because of his responsive faith, his gratitude, and his worship, Jesus granted him sōzō—a complete restoration that healed both his physical body and his eternal soul.
Conclusion: The Ultimate Lesson on Faith
The miracle of the ten lepers stands as an ongoing challenge to every believer today. It reminds us that Jesus possesses absolute power over every disease, both physical and spiritual. Yet, it also warns us against the danger of a consumer-driven faith that gladly consumes God's blessings while completely ignoring the Blesser.
Are you acting like the nine, or like the one?
1. Cry out for mercy like the ten did, recognizing your spiritual leprosy and acknowledging the authority of Jesus.
2. Walk in obedience to His word, even before you see the full manifestation of your answers.
3. Return to His feet with a loud voice of praise, refusing to let familiarity or pride rob you of a thankful heart.
Do not be content with superficial blessings or mere physical relief. Come back to the feet of the Savior, worship Him in humility, and hear Him say to you today that your faith has not just fixed your circumstances, but has made you entirely whole for eternity.
Sermon on The Ten Lepers Outline
1. Jesus Is Always in the Path of the Needy (Luke 17:11)
“Now it happened as He went to Jerusalem that He passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.” (Luke 17:11).
Jesus did not avoid the outcasts or the broken. He intentionally walked through places where the needy and marginalized lived. Lepers were considered unclean and were isolated from society, but Jesus came to them.
This reminds us that Jesus meets us where we are, even in our struggles and pain. No matter how desperate our situation, He is near, ready to extend His grace and mercy.
2. A Cry for Help: The Prayer of the Lepers (Luke 17:13)
“And they lifted up their voices and said, ‘Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!’” (Luke 17:13).
The lepers recognized their need and cried out to Jesus with sincerity and faith. Their prayer was simple but powerful, acknowledging their helplessness and His ability to save.
When we face challenges, do we cry out to Jesus with the same humility and faith? Prayer is our lifeline to God, and He hears the cries of those who seek Him.
3. Jesus’ Response: Testing Their Faith (Luke 17:14a)
“When He saw them, He said to them, ‘Go, show yourselves to the priests.’” (Luke 17:14a).
Jesus did not heal them immediately. Instead, He instructed them to go to the priests, an act of obedience that required faith. The healing would come as they obeyed.
God often calls us to step out in faith before we see the miracle. Obedience is the pathway to His blessings. Are we willing to trust and obey, even when we don’t see the full picture?
4. Healing Along the Way: Miracles Happen When We Walk in Faith (Luke 17:14b)
“And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed.” (Luke 17:14b).
The lepers were healed as they obeyed Jesus’ command. Their healing came not while they stood still, but as they took steps of faith.
This teaches us that faith requires action. When we trust God and move forward in obedience, we position ourselves to experience His miracles.
5. Only One Returns to Give Thanks (Luke 17:15)
“And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God.” (Luke 17:15).
Out of ten, only one returned to thank Jesus. This man’s gratitude set him apart. While the others may have been focused on their newfound freedom, this man’s heart was drawn back to the Giver of the blessing.
Gratitude is a mark of a transformed heart. It shifts our focus from the gift to the Giver. Let us be people who always return to give thanks.
6. A Grateful Heart Worships God (Luke 17:16)
“And fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan.” (Luke 17:16).
The grateful leper did not just say “thank you”; he worshiped. He fell at Jesus’ feet, acknowledging Him as Lord. True gratitude leads to worship, humility, and a deeper relationship with God.
When we give thanks, we honor God and recognize His goodness in our lives. Let our gratitude overflow into worship.
7. The Unexpected: The Grateful One Was a Samaritan (Luke 17:16b)
It’s striking that the one who returned was a Samaritan, a foreigner despised by the Jews. Yet, his heart was more aligned with God’s than the religious insiders.
God is not concerned with our background, status, or traditions. He looks at the heart. Let us examine our own hearts and ensure they are filled with gratitude and humility.
8. Jesus’ Question: Where Are the Others? (Luke 17:17)
“So Jesus answered and said, ‘Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine?’” (Luke 17:17).
Jesus’ question reveals His expectation of gratitude. While all ten received healing, only one returned to give thanks. Ingratitude is a sign of a heart that has forgotten the source of its blessings.
Let us not be like the nine who took God’s blessings for granted. Instead, let us be like the one who remembered and returned.
9. Gratitude is an Act of Faith that Brings Salvation (Luke 17:19)
“And He said to him, ‘Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.’” (Luke 17:19).
All ten were healed physically, but only the grateful leper received salvation. His gratitude was an expression of faith that brought him into a deeper relationship with Jesus.
True gratitude not only acknowledges God’s blessings but also draws us closer to Him. It is an act of faith that leads to spiritual wholeness.
10. Practical Application: Are You One of the Nine or the One? (Psalm 103:2)
“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.” (Psalm 103:2).
This story challenges us to examine our own hearts. Are we like the nine who received blessings and moved on, or like the one who returned to give thanks?
Let us cultivate a heart of gratitude daily. Let our gratitude be expressed through words, actions, and a life of worship.
Conclusion
The story of the ten lepers reminds us that gratitude is not just a response to God’s blessings; it is an act of faith that draws us closer to Him. While all ten were healed, only one returned to give thanks and received salvation.
Let us be like the one—grateful, humble, and worshipful. May our lives be marked by a heart of gratitude that glorifies God and testifies to His goodness.
Ronaldo Gomes da Silva is a Professor of Homiletics and Education Specialist (UFF, Brazil). A recognized authority in ministerial training, his homiletical frameworks are used globally and were recently cited by the newspaperCEADEMA of State Convention (June 2025).
