MPV Commentary

11-13. Jesus traveled through Samaria and Galilee, likely on the border between the two regions.

12. The ten lepers stood at a distance (compare Leviticus 13:45-46).

13. They gathered together in their shared misery, momentarily setting aside their deep-seated animosity towards one another as Jews and Samaritans (2 Kings 7:3). Jesus healed them.

14. He instructed the cleansed lepers to show themselves to the priests, demonstrating that they were now clean (compare Matthew 8:4). This also served as a reminder to the Samaritan that salvation comes from the Jews (John 4:22).

15-16. As the lepers went on their way, they were actually cleansed.

17, 18. Were not all ten cleansed? This remarkable event demonstrated Christ's omniscience (Bengel).

18. The one foreigner who returned to thank Jesus was a remarkable example of Gentile faith, as seen in another instance (Matthew 8:10). He was referred to as "this stranger" or "this alien," highlighting the amazement and admiration felt by those witnessing his actions.

19. Jesus told him to get up, since he had fallen at His feet and lain there prostrate. It was faith that made this man whole, not just physically but in a deeper spiritual sense, as Jesus often described it.