Luke 17: 11 18 Ten Lepers

Target year level: Prep

Scripture text

Jesus Heals Ten Lepers

Introduction

The Gospel is the first of a two-part work, Luke-Acts. Luke-Acts is sometimes thought of as a novel in two parts. The Gospel gives an account of the life and mission of Jesus and the Acts of the Apostles tells the story of the rapid expansion of the early church. The two books were probably written in the latter decades of the first century.

Even though the works are anonymous, authorship is traditionally attributed to Luke. Today, many scholars accept that the author was an inhabitant of Antioch in Syria and a companion of Paul. Luke was writing for Greek speaking, Gentile (non-Jewish) Christians. Luke’s interpretation of events is influenced by his desire to show how Christianity is compatible with citizenship in the Roman Empire, that is, how one can believe in Jesus and, at the same time, be loyal to (if not worship) the emperor.

The author paints a portrait of Jesus who is the fulfilment of God’s promises to Israel. The promises are fulfilled in unexpected ways, in that they include everyone: Jews and gentiles, men and women, tax collectors and outcasts.

Luke draws Jesus as hospitable and caring for the poor and the marginalised. Mary and a number of women disciples play an important part in the gospel.

For further information, see the Scripture topics information, Who wrote the Gospels and when? and the The New American Bible, Revised Edition (NABRE),Introduction to Luke .

World behind the text

Luke lived in Antioch in Syria (now Turkey) which was an important centre in the Roman Empire. Also, Antioch was one of the earliest centres of Christianity and it was there that the followers of Christ were first called Christians. The city had a pluralistic society and the Christians who lived there were both Jews and gentiles . There were tensions between the two groups, who disagreed about how to be faithful followers of Jesus: the Jews believed it essential to follow traditional devotions and practices, including circumcision, Sabbath observance as well as dietary and purity regulations; the gentiles, on the other hand, saw no need for these old ways.

The destruction of the Jerusalem temple by the Romans was a major blow to the confidence of both groups. This catastrophe shook their faith in the God of Israel, who made so many promises to the chosen people and whose Kingdom was proclaimed by Jesus. So, it was important for Luke to write about Jesus in a way that showed that he was the fulfilment of God’s promises.

World of the text

The episode of the ten lepers is a miracle story. For Luke, the miracles of Jesus are not about Jesus himself, but are signs of God’s reign: in which health, wellbeing and justice are the rule. Jesus was disappointed not because the nine of the lepers had ignored him, but rather because they did not give praise to God.

There is a background reference here to an Old Testament miracle story concerning Elisha and Naaman (2 Kgs 5:8-19), in which a foreigner’s miraculous healing prompts a conversion experience. In Luke’s story, the one leper who really gets what is happening and responds with faith is an outsider – a Samaritan. In both stories, the focus is not on the prophet, but on God, whose reign is all powerful and inclusive. See also the parable of the Good Samaritan (Lk 10:29-37), in which the righteous person - the good neighbour - is the outsider.

The figure of the outsider and the inclusiveness of God’s reign were recurring themes for Luke, who was writing for a non-Jewish audience.

World in front of the text

The miracle of healing that Luke relates is more about salvation than physical healing. All the gifts that God gives us from day to day, for example life itself, are not ends in themselves: they are integral parts of the relationship between God and us. God gives and we respond in love with thanks and praise - at least that is how it should be. If we are in right relationship with God, the gratitude attitude is built-in.