King James Version

What Does Luke 17:16 Mean?

Luke 17:16 in the King James Version says “And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.” — study this verse from Luke chapter 17 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.”

Luke 17:16 · KJV

Context

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.

15

And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,

16

And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.

17

And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?

18

There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.

Read Luke 17 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
One returns: 'And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.' Only one of the ten returned. He 'fell down on his face at his feet' (ἔπεσεν ἐπὶ πρόσωπον παρὰ τοὺς πόδας αὐτοῦ, epesen epi prosōpon para tous podas autou)—full prostration, the posture of worship. He was 'giving him thanks' (εὐχαριστῶν αὐτῷ, eucharistōn autō), from which we get 'Eucharist.' The shocking detail: 'he was a Samaritan' (αὐτὸς ἦν Σαμαρίτης, autos ēn Samaritēs). Jews and Samaritans were bitter enemies, divided by centuries of ethnic and religious hostility. Yet the only one who returned to thank Jesus was the ethnic and religious outsider. This demonstrates that privilege doesn't guarantee gratitude, and marginalization doesn't prevent it. Faith and thankfulness transcend ethnicity.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Samaritans were descendants of Northern Kingdom Israelites who intermarried with Assyrian colonists after 722 BC. Jews viewed them as ethnic and religious mongrels. Samaritans worshiped on Mount Gerizim rather than Jerusalem and accepted only the Pentateuch. Jews avoided Samaritans (John 4:9). That nine Jews received healing but didn't return while one Samaritan did exposes the danger of religious privilege—those who feel entitled to God's blessing often take it for granted. Outsiders who receive unexpected grace tend to respond with overwhelming gratitude. This prefigures the Gentiles' enthusiastic reception of the gospel while many Jews rejected it. Election and privilege can breed presumption rather than thankfulness.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why did the marginalized Samaritan demonstrate greater gratitude than the privileged Jews?
  2. How does religious privilege or familiarity sometimes decrease rather than increase thankfulness?
  3. What does this teach about the relationship between grace received unexpectedly and gratitude expressed wholeheartedly?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 14 words
καὶ1 of 14

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἔπεσεν2 of 14

“fell down”

G4098

to fall (literally or figuratively)

ἐπὶ3 of 14

“on”

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

πρόσωπον4 of 14

“his face”

G4383

the front (as being towards view), i.e., the countenance, aspect, appearance, surface; by implication, presence, person

παρὰ5 of 14

“at”

G3844

properly, near; i.e., (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with dative case) at (or in) the vicinity of (objectively or subj

τοὺς6 of 14
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πόδας7 of 14

“feet”

G4228

a "foot" (figuratively or literally)

αὐτὸς8 of 14

“him”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

εὐχαριστῶν9 of 14

“giving”

G2168

to be grateful, i.e., (actively) to express gratitude (towards); specially, to say grace at a meal

αὐτὸς10 of 14

“him”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

καὶ11 of 14

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

αὐτὸς12 of 14

“him”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἦν13 of 14

“he was”

G2258

i (thou, etc.) was (wast or were)

Σαμαρείτης14 of 14

“a Samaritan”

G4541

a samarite, i.e., inhabitant of samaria

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Luke 17:16 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Luke 17:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Acts 8:5-25Matthew 10:5Revelation 19:10Luke 10:32-35Revelation 19:4-5John 4:39-42

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