Was no one foundThis phrase highlights the rarity of gratitude among those who received healing. In the context of Jesus' ministry, it underscores the frequent lack of recognition and thankfulness for divine intervention. It also reflects a broader biblical theme where God's people often fail to acknowledge His works, as seen in the history of Israel's repeated forgetfulness of God's deliverance (e.g.,
Psalm 106:13).
except this foreigner
The term "foreigner" refers to the Samaritan who returned to thank Jesus. Samaritans were considered outsiders and were often despised by the Jews due to historical and religious differences. This highlights the theme of God's grace extending beyond the boundaries of Israel, foreshadowing the inclusion of Gentiles in the New Covenant (Acts 10:34-35). It also echoes the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), where a Samaritan exemplifies true neighborly love.
to return and give glory to God?”
Returning to give glory to God signifies an act of worship and acknowledgment of God's power and mercy. This act of returning is significant as it demonstrates a heart of gratitude and recognition of Jesus' divine authority. Theologically, it points to the importance of giving glory to God as a response to His works, a theme prevalent throughout Scripture (e.g.,Psalm 50:23,Revelation 4:11). It also serves as a reminder of the ultimate purpose of miracles and blessings: to lead people to worship and glorify God.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
Jesus- The central figure in this passage, Jesus is the one who heals the ten lepers and questions the absence of gratitude from the others.
2.
The Ten Lepers- A group of men afflicted with leprosy who call out to Jesus for mercy and are healed as they go to show themselves to the priests.
3.
The Samaritan Leper- The only one of the ten who returns to thank Jesus, highlighting the theme of gratitude and faith.
4.
Samaria- The region associated with the Samaritan leper, significant for its historical tensions with the Jewish people.
5.
The Priests- Religious leaders to whom the lepers were instructed to show themselves, as per the Law of Moses, to be declared clean.
Teaching Points
Gratitude as a Response to GraceThe Samaritan leper's return to thank Jesus underscores the importance of gratitude as a natural response to God's grace and mercy.
Faith Beyond BoundariesThe account highlights that faith and gratitude are not confined to ethnic or religious boundaries, as demonstrated by the Samaritan's actions.
Recognition of God's WorkThe passage challenges believers to recognize and acknowledge God's work in their lives, prompting a response of worship and thanksgiving.
The Role of Outsiders in God's KingdomThe Samaritan's gratitude serves as a reminder that God's kingdom often includes those considered outsiders, challenging believers to embrace inclusivity.
The Importance of Returning to GodThe act of returning to Jesus to give thanks emphasizes the importance of maintaining a relationship with God, not just seeking His blessings.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Luke 17:18?
2.Why did only one return to give thanks to God in Luke 17:18?
3.How does gratitude reflect our faith according to Luke 17:18?
4.What Old Testament examples emphasize the importance of giving thanks to God?
5.How can we cultivate a habit of gratitude in our daily lives?
6.What does Luke 17:18 teach about recognizing God's work in our lives?
7.Why did only one leper return to give thanks in Luke 17:18?
8.What does Luke 17:18 teach about gratitude and faith?
9.How does Luke 17:18 challenge our understanding of thankfulness?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Luke 17?
11.What historical or medical evidence supports the ten lepers' instantaneous healing (Luke 17:11-19)?
12.How can we reconcile Jesus's prophecy in Matthew 16:28 that some disciples would not die before seeing the Son of Man coming with the fact that they all eventually died?
13.2 Peter 1:16-18 refers to the Transfiguration; why is its account noticeably different from the synoptic Gospels' versions?
14.Why didn't Jesus return as He promised His disciples?What Does Luke 17:18 Mean
Was no one found...• Jesus poses a searching question, exposing the absence of gratitude in the nine other healed lepers (Luke 17:11-17).
• His words carry a tone of divine disappointment, similar to the Lord’s lament, “When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8).
• Scripture often highlights God’s search for responsive hearts—seeIsaiah 59:16 where “He saw that there was no one to intercede,” andEzekiel 22:30 where He “looked for someone to stand in the gap.”
• The question forces listeners to examine their own response to God’s mercies, echoing David’s reflection, “What shall I render to the LORD for all His benefits to me?” (Psalm 116:12-13).
except this foreigner...• “Foreigner” refers to the Samaritan who, by social and religious standards, was outside Israel’s covenant community (John 4:9).
• Luke often spotlights outsiders who respond rightly: the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:33), the Roman centurion whose faith amazed Jesus (Luke 7:9), and Zacchaeus the tax collector (Luke 19:9).
• God’s grace reaches beyond ethnic or cultural boundaries, fulfilling the promise to bless “all the families of the earth” (Genesis 12:3).
• The line draws a contrast between those with religious privilege who remained silent and the unexpected worshiper who raised his voice.
to return...• The Samaritan “turned back” (Luke 17:15), a physical picture of repentance—a decisive change in direction toward the Lord.
• Similar turning moments: the prodigal “came to himself and went to his father” (Luke 15:17-20), and Naaman returned to Elisha after his cleansing (2 Kings 5:15).
• Genuine faith moves a person from receiving God’s gift to seeking God Himself, realigning one’s life to Him (2 Chronicles 30:9).
and give glory to God?• Giving glory means publicly acknowledging God’s character and works; the healed man “fell facedown at Jesus’ feet, thanking Him” (Luke 17:16).
• Scripture links thanksgiving with glorifying God: “He who sacrifices a thank offering honors Me” (Psalm 50:23), and the formerly blind man “followed Jesus, glorifying God” (Luke 18:43).
• The act anticipates the universal call, “Fear God and give Him glory” (Revelation 14:7), reminding believers that every blessing aims at worship, not merely personal benefit.
• The Samaritan’s praise validates the miracle and identifies Jesus as the rightful recipient of glory, underscoring His deity (John 5:23).
summaryLuke 17:18 reveals Jesus’ desire for thankful, faith-filled hearts. While ten received healing, only one—a Samaritan—returned, turned his life toward Christ, and glorified God. The verse challenges believers to respond to grace with visible gratitude, crossing all cultural lines, and to live every blessing as an opportunity to honor the Lord.
(18)
Save this stranger.--The word for "stranger" means literally,
a man of another race, an
alien. It is not found elsewhere in the New Testament, but is used in the LXX. of
Isaiah 56:3. It was probably a term of contempt in common use among the Jews. (Comp. the kindred word "aliens," with special reference to the Philistines, in
Hebrews 11:34, and "one of another nation" in
Acts 10:28.) It implied, as did the whole treatment of the Samaritans by the Jews. that the former were not recognised as being, in any sense, children of Abraham.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
Was no one foundεὑρέθησαν(heurethēsan)Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2147:A prolonged form of a primary heuro, which heureo is used for it in all the tenses except the present and imperfect to find.exceptεἰ(ei)Conjunction
Strong's 1487:If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.thisοὗτος(houtos)Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3778:This; he, she, it.foreignerἀλλογενὴς(allogenēs)Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 241:Of another nation, a foreigner. From allos and genos; foreign, i.e. Not a Jew.to returnὑποστρέψαντες(hypostrepsantes)Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 5290:To turn back, return. From hupo and strepho; to turn under, i.e. To return.[and] giveδοῦναι(dounai)Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 1325:To offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give.gloryδόξαν(doxan)Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1391:From the base of dokeo; glory, in a wide application.to God?”Θεῷ(Theō)Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316:A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.
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NT Gospels: Luke 17:18 Were there none found who returned (Luke Lu Lk) 
