When Does Healing Happen?

Luke 17:17-19 - Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”

In Luke 17:12, Jesus was approached by ten lepers. This dreaded skin disease made them spiritual and social outcasts. In accordance with the command in Leviticus 13:45-46, they had to stand at a distance as they asked Jesus to have mercy on them. They had no doubt heard about all of the miracles Jesus had performed, and they wanted their share of his power.

Jesus responded to healing requests in a variety of ways. When one leper asked for healing in Luke 5:12-14, Jesus broke the taboo and touched him. This time, though, he strangely told the ten to “show themselves to the priest.” This was the Old Testament instruction for one who had been cleansed from leprosy (See Leviticus 14:1-32). Note that the healing did not occur until they left Jesus. They had no physical evidence of the healing yet. They acted in faith and they were cleansed on the way (Luke 17:14).

One of the ten noticed he was healed and turned back to thank Jesus and give glory to God for what had happened. Jesus was astonished the other nine did not return to give thanks, but he sent the one who did away with an interesting statement. The English Standard Version translates it, “Your faith has made you well,” but the Greek word for made you well is sesoken. This word most often gets translated “saved.” It can mean physical healing, as well as a natural saving (like being rescued from drowning) and the transcendent saving from Hell Jesus does for those who believe in him. In this case, it can certainly mean Jesus was referring to the former leper’s physical healing coming from his faith, whether the initial act of faith in heading to the priest on Jesus’ word alone or returning to give thanks to Jesus for healing him. Yet, if so, why did Jesus need to say it? Perhaps there was more Jesus had in mind to this healing saving.

All ten lepers got the tangible and immediate benefit of being cleansed from leprosy. The other nine left it at that, perhaps feeling they were entitled to the healing. Because they failed to acknowledge Jesus’ work in the healing and thanking him, they missed out on the full and lasting saving healing that came to the one who knew the value in saying thanks.