Pentecost Season · Year A
Thanksgiving Day USA
4th Thursday · November 26, 2026
Overview & Insights
“Rise and go; your faith has made you well.” (Luke 17:19)
In 17:11 Luke reminds us that Jesus and his disciples are still on the journey to Jerusalem. Much of the journey narrative (9:51–19:44) consists of teaching given to the disciples. In the last few chapters this has largely taken the form of parables, and we will return to parables at the beginning of chapter 18. But in this section we find four separate units of teaching (17:1–2, 3–4, 5–6, 7–10), loosely connected in that all relate to the nature and demands of discipleship, followed by a brief exemplary story. The story involves a Samaritan, whose action, like that of the good Samaritan in 10:30–37, shows up the failure of the Jews in the story and so reinforces Luke’s insistent challenge to accepted social conventions.
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Commentary
Luke 17: The Grateful Samaritan Enduring Word · David Guzik
David Guzik's verse by verse evangelical commentary on the ten lepers and the one who returned.
Luke 17 Commentary Precept Austin
A deep gathering of word studies and cross references worked verse by verse through Luke 17.
Luke 17:11 Commentaries BibleHub
Aggregates classic commentaries on the healing of the ten lepers in one place.
Barnes' Notes on Luke 17 StudyLight
Albert Barnes' notes on the whole of Luke 17.
Commentary on Luke 17:11-19 Working Preacher
A seminary scholar works through the healing of the ten and the one who gave thanks.
Commentary on Luke 17:11-19 Center for Excellence in Preaching
A Reformed preaching commentary from Calvin Seminary on the grateful Samaritan's journey.
Luke 17 Scripture Reflections Word on Fire · Bishop Barron
Catholic homiletic reflections gathered on the healing of the lepers and thanksgiving.
Background & Word Study
Enter the Bible: Luke Enter the Bible
Luther Seminary background on the Gospel of Luke, its structure and themes.
Gospel of Luke Overview (Luke 10-24) BibleProject
An animated overview of the second half of Luke, the journey to Jerusalem.
Luke 17:11 Greek Interlinear BibleHub
Greek word by word with parsing and Strong's numbers for the cleansing of the lepers.
The Church Fathers
Questions preachers ask
Why is the healing of the ten lepers read at Thanksgiving?
Ten lepers are healed, but only one, a Samaritan, turns back to thank Jesus (Luke 17:11–19). The story sets gratitude at the center of faith: “your faith has made you well.” It is the appointed Gospel for Thanksgiving Day in Year A.
Where does this fall in the Catholic lectionary?
This is the Gospel appointed for Thanksgiving Day (USA) in Year A.
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