Time after Pentecost · Thanksgiving Day (USA) · Year B
Luke 17:11-19
Ten Healed of Leprosy
November 25, 2027
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
Working Preacher: Commentary on Luke 17:11-19 Working Preacher
Lutheran lectionary commentary on the one leper who returns to give thanks.
Enduring Word: Luke 17 Enduring Word · David Guzik
David Guzik's verse-by-verse evangelical notes on the whole chapter.
Precept Austin: Luke 17 Commentary Precept Austin
Study page gathering many conservative commentators on Luke 17.
BibleHub: Commentaries on Luke 17:11 BibleHub
Parallel classic commentaries keyed to the cleansing of the ten lepers.
StudyLight: Luke 17 Commentaries StudyLight
Many complete commentaries on Luke 17 gathered on one passage page.
Background & Word Study
Enter the Bible: Luke Enter the Bible
Luther Seminary's scholarly introduction to Luke's structure and themes.
BibleProject: Luke 1-9 Overview BibleProject
Animated overview of the design and message of Luke's Gospel.
BibleHub: Luke 17 Interlinear BibleHub
Greek-English interlinear for word-level study of Luke 17.
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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