Luke 17:1-19

17:1-2 | Offenses (Grk., skandalon) refers to a baited trap that ensnares small animals. The millstone is a large, heavy round stone used to grind grain into flour. Jesus employed this imagery to emphasize the seriousness of leading young believers into spiritual error or abusing them in some way (Matt. 18:6-7).

17:5 | Many people believe they would be better equipped to live the Christian life if God would only grant them more faith. Jesus, focused not on the quality of faith but its character. More faith does not equal greater ability to accomplish, since God is the One who does the work. The Lord is able to accomplish great things with only a grain of genuine faith (Matt. 17:20; Mark 9:23).

17:6 | Jesus illustrated His teaching on faith by pointing to a nearby mulberry tree – a large, stout tree known for its longevity and deep root system.

17:7-10 | Servants are expected to do the will of their masters or employers; their work is not a favor but a required service. A servant of God seeks to obey God’s commands without question and without bargaining for a reward.

17:12-19 | This story is found only in Luke’s Gospel. A leper was not allowed to dwell in the city. The law demanded that at least some with this disease be isolated from the rest of the people (Lev. 13:45-46).

17:14 | When Jesus told the men to visit the priests, He was instructing them to get a certificate of release indicating they were free of disease (Deut. 24:8; Matt. 8:4). As they followed His instructions, they were cleansed. He did not heal them on the spot. He did not heal them in a distant spot. He healed them as they moved to obey His orders.

17:15-18 | What was a Samaritan (foreigner) doing among nine Jews? Leprosy made misery their common denominator, and they joined together in a community of woe. Out of all those who had been healed, the one knowing the least about Jesus returned to thank Him. The most religious people are not always the ones who see life’s graces or think to say thanks.

17:15 | While the one who returned had the same experience as the others, he had a different expression as a result of this experience.

17:17-19 | Jesus’ words reveal a note of sadness. The nine Jewish lepers who had been healed (cleansed) went away, clutching their blessings to themselves. Only the Samaritan returned, and Jesus rewarded him with a healing beyond the physical. The power of God cleansed him inwardly from the stain of sin.