And when he saw them, he said to them, Go show yourselves to the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.
Go.
Luke 5:14 And he charged him to tell no man: but go, and shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing, according as Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.
Leviticus 13:1,2 And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron, saying, …
Leviticus 14:2 This shall be the law of the leper in the day of his cleansing: He shall be brought unto the priest:
as.
2 Kings 5:14 Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.
Isaiah 65:24 And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.
Matthew 8:3 And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
He said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.”
In the cultural and historical context of first-century Judaism, lepers were required by Mosaic Law to present themselves to a priest for examination and declaration of cleanliness (Leviticus 14:2-32). This command by Jesus aligns with the law, showing His respect for the Law of Moses. It also demonstrates faith, as the lepers were to act on Jesus' words before seeing any evidence of healing. This act of obedience is a type of faith that is often required in the Christian walk, where believers are called to trust and act on God's promises.
And as they were on their way,
This phrase highlights the importance of obedience and faith in action. The lepers were healed not immediately, but as they obeyed Jesus' command. This suggests a process of healing that is contingent upon faith and obedience. It parallels other biblical narratives where faith is demonstrated through action, such as the healing of Naaman in 2 Kings 5:14.
they were cleansed.
The cleansing of the lepers is both a physical and spiritual metaphor. Leprosy in the Bible often symbolizes sin and its isolating effects. The cleansing signifies not only physical healing but also restoration to community and spiritual renewal. This act of cleansing is a type of the redemptive work of Christ, who cleanses believers from sin and restores them to fellowship with God. The healing also fulfills the messianic prophecy of Isaiah 61:1, where the Messiah is described as one who brings healing and liberation.
• Jesus’ first response is not avoidance but notice. He looks directly at ten men ostracized by leprosy (Luke 17:12).
• His gaze consistently precedes compassion—“When the Lord saw her, He was moved with compassion” (Luke 7:13); “He saw a large crowd and felt compassion for them and healed their sick” (Matthew 14:14).
• The Lord still “searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought” (1 Chronicles 28:9), assuring the afflicted that they are seen, not forgotten.
• Healing begins with Jesus’ word. “He sent out His word and healed them” (Psalm 107:20).
• The spoken command carries divine authority just as in “Young man, I say to you, get up!” (Luke 7:14) and “Take up your mat and walk” (John 5:8).
• Faith comes by hearing (Romans 10:17); the miracle starts the moment His voice meets their ears.
• Leviticus 14 prescribes priestly inspection as the only official declaration of cleansing from leprosy. Jesus honors the Law He came to fulfill (Matthew 5:17).
• Similar instruction was given to the cleansed leper in Mark 1:44: “Go, show yourself to the priest… as a testimony.”
• Obedience precedes evidence; they must act on His word before seeing its result, echoing Naaman’s direction to wash in the Jordan (2 Kings 5:10).
• The priests who once pronounced these men “unclean” (Leviticus 13:45-46) will now attest to Christ’s power, turning a private cure into a public witness.
• The miracle unfolds in motion, illustrating that faith is active: “By faith Abraham obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going” (Hebrews 11:8).
• Like the blind man told to “Go, wash in the Pool of Siloam” (John 9:7), their obedience is the channel through which grace flows.
• No delay or debate is recorded; immediate compliance positions them to experience the promised cleansing.
• The healing is complete and instantaneous—“Immediately the leprosy left him” (Luke 5:13).
• Physical cleansing pictures spiritual reality: “If we walk in the light… the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).
• Ten bodies restored testify that Christ’s power is not diminished by quantity; His grace abounds (Romans 5:20).
Luke 17:14 reveals a Savior who notices the outcast, speaks with authority, honors God’s law, invites faith-filled obedience, and delivers complete cleansing. The lepers’ journey from isolation to restoration turns on trusting Christ’s word enough to walk it out, assuring every believer that obedience to Jesus’ voice is never wasted—healing grace meets us on the way.
(14) Go shew yourselves unto the priests.--On the meaning and object of this command, see Note on Matthew 8:4. Here, however, it may be noted, there was no accompanying touch as the outward means and pledge of healing, and the command was therefore, in a greater degree than it had been before, a trial and test of faith. It did not necessarily imply a journey to Jerusalem. Any priest in any town was qualified for the function of inspecting and deciding on the completeness of the cure. Suddenly, or by degrees, as they went, the taint of blood disappeared, and their flesh became as it had been in the days of health.