Pentecost Season · Year C
Thanksgiving Day USA
4th Thursday · November 23, 2028
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 Commentary Enduring Word · David Guzik
David Guzik covers the healing of the ten lepers and the one who returned.
Luke 17 Commentary Precept Austin
A detailed word study on the ten lepers and the Samaritan's gratitude.
Luke 17:11 Commentaries BibleHub
Classic commentary on Jesus healing the ten as he passed through Samaria and Galilee.
Luke 17 (Barnes' Notes) StudyLight
Barnes explains the social isolation of leprosy behind the men's cry for mercy.
Commentary on Luke 17:11-19 Working Preacher
Focuses on the one who turned back, using the same word for thanks Jesus uses at the Last Supper.
Luke 17:11-19 Center for Excellence in Preaching
A preaching angle on the difference gratitude makes between the ten and the one.
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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.
What are the Thanksgiving Day readings?
For Thanksgiving Day, Year A, the Revised Common Lectionary appoints Deuteronomy 8:7–18, Psalm 65, 2 Corinthians 9:6–15, and Luke 17:11–19.
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