King James Version

What Does Luke 17:18 Mean?

Luke 17:18 in the King James Version says “There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.” — study this verse from Luke chapter 17 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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

Luke 17:18 · KJV

Salvation

Context

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.

19

And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.

20

And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: with: or, with outward shew

Read Luke 17 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. Jesus' assessment is both observation and indictment. There are not found (οὐχ εὑρέθησαν, ouch heurethēsan) indicates a search that came up empty—Jesus looked for worshipers but found only one. The phrase to give glory to God (δοῦναι δόξαν τῷ θεῷ, dounai doxan tō theō) describes the purpose of return: not merely to thank Jesus personally but to glorify God for the miracle. The Samaritan recognized the theological dimension—healing came from God through Jesus.

The word stranger (ἀλλογενής, allogenēs—literally "of another race/nation") emphasizes ethnic otherness. In Jewish parlance, Samaritans were mongrel half-breeds, theologically corrupt, ritually defiling. Yet this allogenēs demonstrated covenant faithfulness (returning to praise God) that the nine Jews lacked. The irony is crushing: the ethnic and religious outsider understood worship while God's covenant people pursued blessings without thanksgiving.

This prefigures the gospel's trajectory: Israel's Messiah came to His own, and His own received Him not (John 1:11), but Gentiles would stream into the kingdom (Luke 13:29, Acts 10-11, Romans 11:11-24). The Samaritan's faith-filled gratitude contrasts with Jewish presumption. Jesus highlights this repeatedly: a Roman centurion's faith exceeds Israel's (Luke 7:9), Ninevites and the Queen of Sheba will condemn Jesus' generation (Luke 11:31-32), and now a Samaritan leper exemplifies responsive faith. The lesson: proximity to religious truth doesn't guarantee grateful hearts or saving faith.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Samaritans descended from Israelites who intermarried with Assyrian colonists after the Northern Kingdom's fall (722 BC, 2 Kings 17:24-41). They worshiped Yahweh but only accepted the Pentateuch, rejecting Jerusalem temple worship in favor of Mount Gerizim (John 4:20). Jews considered them heretics and half-breeds, avoiding contact when possible. That Jesus highlighted a Samaritan's superior faith would have scandalized His Jewish audience—especially the Pharisees who prided themselves on covenant membership.

The Samaritan's action—falling on his face at Jesus' feet (v. 16)—was worship posture reserved for God alone. Combined with giving God glory, this suggests the Samaritan recognized Jesus' divine authority. His worship was both theologically informed (glory to God) and christologically significant (prostration before Jesus). The nine received healing and likely completed their priestly certification, enjoying restored community life—but they missed the greater treasure of knowing the Healer personally. Their ingratitude cost them the relationship for which they were created. Physical healing without spiritual transformation is incomplete salvation—the Samaritan alone received both.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Jesus' emphasis on the stranger's faithfulness challenge religious privilege and ethnic pride?
  2. What does it mean to 'give glory to God' in response to His blessings, versus merely enjoying the benefits?
  3. In what ways might you resemble the nine who received blessings but failed to return to worship the Giver?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 12 words
οὐχ1 of 12

“not”

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

εὑρέθησαν2 of 12

“There are”

G2147

to find (literally or figuratively)

ὑποστρέψαντες3 of 12

“that returned”

G5290

to turn under (behind), i.e., to return (literally or figuratively)

δοῦναι4 of 12

“to give”

G1325

to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)

δόξαν5 of 12

“glory”

G1391

glory (as very apparent), in a wide application (literal or figurative, objective or subjective)

τῷ6 of 12
G3588

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

θεῷ7 of 12

“to God”

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

εἰ8 of 12
G1487

if, whether, that, etc

μὴ9 of 12
G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

ὁ10 of 12
G3588

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

ἀλλογενὴς11 of 12

“stranger”

G241

foreign, i.e., not a jew

οὗτος12 of 12

“this”

G3778

the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)

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 17:18 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 17:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 50:23Matthew 15:24-28Psalms 106:13Revelation 14:7Isaiah 42:12Matthew 8:10

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