What does Luke 17:14 mean?
"And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed." - Luke 17:14

The Bible verse Luke 17:14, as quoted in the King James Version, reads: "And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed."
This verse is part of a larger passage in the Gospel of Luke that describes an encounter between Jesus and a group of ten lepers. In this passage, Jesus is traveling to Jerusalem and passes through the region between Samaria and Galilee. As he enters a certain village, he encounters ten lepers who stood at a distance and called out to him, asking for mercy. Leprosy was a highly contagious and disfiguring disease in Jesus' time, and those who suffered from it were considered unclean and were ostracized from society.
In response to the lepers' plea for mercy, Jesus instructs them to go and show themselves to the priests. This command is significant in the context of the Mosaic law, which required that those who had been healed of leprosy go to the priests to be ceremonially cleansed and reinstated to the community. By telling them to go to the priests, Jesus is essentially telling the lepers to act in faith, believing that they will be healed as they obey his command.
The passage goes on to say that as the lepers went on their way to see the priests, they were cleansed of their leprosy. This miraculous healing demonstrates the power and authority of Jesus as a divine healer. It also serves to underscore the importance of faith and obedience in receiving God's blessings and favors.
One of the key themes in this verse is the concept of faith and obedience. The lepers demonstrate faith in Jesus' words by obeying his command to go to the priests, and they are rewarded with healing as a result. This underscores the biblical principle that faith and obedience are essential components of the Christian life and are instrumental in receiving God's blessings and miracles. Additionally, the passage highlights the transformative power of Jesus' mercy and compassion, as he extends healing to those who are marginalized and ostracized by society.
Furthermore, this passage also serves as a reminder of the importance of gratitude and thanksgiving. In the verses that follow, only one of the ten lepers returns to give thanks to Jesus for his healing. This act of gratitude leads Jesus to commend the man's faith and declare that his faith has made him well. This serves as a reminder for believers to cultivate a spirit of thankfulness and to acknowledge God's blessings in their lives.
In terms of symbolism, the healing of the lepers can be seen as a metaphor for the spiritual healing and restoration that Jesus offers to all who come to him in faith. Just as the lepers were physically cleansed and restored to the community, Jesus offers spiritual cleansing and restoration to those who come to him with repentant hearts. The lepers' physical healing also serves as a foreshadowing of the ultimate healing and restoration that Christ offers through his sacrificial death and resurrection.
In conclusion, Luke 17:14 is a powerful and poignant verse that highlights the themes of faith, obedience, gratitude, and the transformative power of Jesus' mercy. It serves as a reminder of the importance of faith and obedience in receiving God's blessings and also as a call to cultivate a spirit of gratitude in response to God's goodness and mercy. The passage also serves as a symbol of the spiritual healing and restoration that Jesus offers to all who come to him with faith and repentance.
Have questions about Luke 17:14?
Dive deeper into this scripture with Bible Chat — an AI-powered tool for exploring God's Word through conversation. Ask questions, get context, and grow in your understanding of the Bible.
Get Our Apps
Luke 17:14 Artwork
Luke 17:14 - "And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed."
"And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed." - Luke 17:14
Luke 14:17 - "And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready."
Luke 10:17-19
Luke 10:17-19
Luke 17:17 - "And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?"
"And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready." - Luke 14:17
Luke 8:17
Luke 17:10
luke 24:17
Luke 17:12-14 - "As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, "Jesus, Master, have pity on us!" When he saw them, he said, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were cleansed."
Luke 17:32-37
Luke 17:32 - "Remember Lot's wife."
Luke 5:17-26
Luke 14:14 - "And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just."
Revelation 17:14
Acts 14:17
Revelation 17:14
Revelation 17:14
Revelation 17:14
Genesis 17-14
Luke 11:14-15
Luke 18:9-14
Luke 11:1-14
Luke 14:25 - 33
Luke 11:1-14
Luke 2:13-14
Luke 18: 9-14
Luke 2:13-14
Revelation 17:14