Time after Pentecost · Year C
Thanksgiving Day (USA)
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
A verse-by-verse walkthrough of the healing and the Samaritan's return.
Luke 17 Commentary Precept Austin
An inductive-study commentary on the ten lepers and the grateful Samaritan.
Luke 17:11 Commentaries BibleHub
Classic commentary excerpts gathered for this verse.
Luke 17 (Barnes' Notes) StudyLight
Albert Barnes' close exegetical notes on the chapter.
Luke 17 (Jamieson-Fausset-Brown) StudyLight
A concise Reformed cross-reference commentary on the chapter.
Commentary on Luke 17:11-19 Working Preacher
A reading of the Samaritan's gratitude as the essence of faith.
Luke 17:11-19 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching
A Reformed preaching-focused reading of the ten lepers, often used on Thanksgiving Eve.
Background & Word Study
Luke 17:11 Interlinear BibleHub
Greek text and Strong's numbers for the passage.
Gospel of Luke Summary (Part 2) BibleProject
An overview video covering the travel-to-Jerusalem section of Luke that includes this healing.
Guide to the Book of Luke BibleProject
Structure and key themes of Luke's Gospel.
Gospel of Luke Enter the Bible
A Luther Seminary introduction to Luke's themes and structure.
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.
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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