Jesus Heals Ten Lepers
Jesus heals ten men with leprosy, but only one returns to thank Him—a Samaritan.
Luke 17:11-19
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The Story
Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. 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.
One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.
Jesus asked, 'Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?'
Then he said to him, 'Rise and go; your faith has made you well.'
Leprosy was a devastating disease that left people isolated from family and community. These ten men were outcasts, forced to live apart and cry 'Unclean!' to warn others away. Jesus healed them all.
But only one came back—and he was a Samaritan, doubly an outsider. The others received healing but missed something greater. The one who returned received not just physical healing but wholeness—'your faith has made you well' means literally 'your faith has saved you.'
Gratitude opens the door to deeper blessing.
Only One Said Thanks
Kids Version
Jesus was walking to Jerusalem when He heard voices calling from far away.
'JESUS! MASTER! PLEASE HELP US!'
Ten men stood far from the road. They had leprosy—a terrible skin disease. In those days, people with leprosy had to stay away from everyone else. They couldn't hug their families or go to church or walk through town. It was so lonely and sad.
Jesus saw them and called out, 'Go show yourselves to the priests!'
In Bible times, priests were the ones who could say, 'You're healed! You can go back to your normal life!'
The ten men started walking toward the priests. And as they walked... they looked at their hands. Their skin was clearing up! Their sores were disappearing! They were being HEALED!
'WE'RE HEALED! WE'RE HEALED!' They ran to find their families!
But wait. One of the men stopped. He turned around. He ran back to Jesus as fast as he could!
He fell down at Jesus' feet, crying with joy. 'THANK YOU! THANK YOU! PRAISE GOD!'
This man was a Samaritan—someone Jewish people usually didn't like.
Jesus looked around. 'Weren't there TEN men healed? Where are the other nine? Only this foreigner came back to say thank you?'
Then Jesus smiled at the man. 'Get up and go. Your faith has made you completely well.'
All ten were healed. But only ONE said thanks. Don't be like the nine! Always remember to thank God—and thank others—for the good things in your life!
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Characters in This Story
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Scripture — Luke 17:11-19 (KJV)
11And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.
12And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:
13And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.
14And 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.
15And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,
16And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.
17And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?
18There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.
19And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.
Memory Verse
“And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.”
— Luke 17:11 (KJV)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the story of “Jesus Heals Ten Lepers” in the Bible?
Jesus heals ten men with leprosy, but only one returns to thank Him—a Samaritan. This story is found in Luke 17:11-19.
Where is “Jesus Heals Ten Lepers” found in the Bible?
“Jesus Heals Ten Lepers” is found in Luke 17:11-19, in the book of Luke.
What can children learn from “Jesus Heals Ten Lepers”?
This story teaches children about Gratitude, Faith, Outsiders welcomed, Healing. Jesus healed ten men with a terrible skin disease. But only ONE came back to say thank you. Jesus noticed—and so should we!