King James Version

What Does Luke 5:12 Mean?

Luke 5:12 in the King James Version says “And it came to pass, when he was in a certain city, behold a man full of leprosy: who seeing Jesus fell on his face, and... — study this verse from Luke chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

And it came to pass, when he was in a certain city, behold a man full of leprosy: who seeing Jesus fell on his face, and besought him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.

Luke 5:12 · KJV


Context

10

And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.

11

And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.

12

And it came to pass, when he was in a certain city, behold a man full of leprosy: who seeing Jesus fell on his face, and besought him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.

13

And he put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will: be thou clean. And immediately the leprosy departed from him.

14

And he charged him to tell no man: but go, and shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing, according as Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Man full of leprosy fell on face besought him saying Lord if thou wilt thou canst make me clean. Full of leprosy advanced stage worst possible case. Fell on face prostration worship desperation. Besought deomai earnestly begged. Lord kurios acknowledges authority divinity. If thou wilt recognizes Jesus sovereignty not demanding presuming. Thou canst expresses faith in Jesus power ability. Make me clean kathairizō ceremonially and physically cleanse. Leprosy rendered person unclean excluded from worship community normal life. Leper faith is remarkable trusts Jesus despite hopeless condition. He does not doubt Jesus ability only questions willingness. Reformed theology emphasizes both divine sovereignty and human responsibility prayer. We ask acknowledging God sovereignty over outcomes trusting His character wisdom. Jesus does not always heal physically but always acts in love wisdom for His glory our ultimate good.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Leprosy covered various skin diseases rendered sufferer ceremonially unclean required isolation from community. Leviticus 13-14 detailed regulations quarantine. Lepers lived outside towns shouted Unclean when approached. Physical suffering compounded by social isolation religious exclusion. No cure existed. Priest could only certify if leprosy gone. This leper violating protocol by approaching Jesus in town demonstrates desperate faith. His if thou wilt not doubt about power but appropriate humility acknowledging Jesus sovereignty. Ancient world saw disease as divine punishment. Healing miracles demonstrated kingdom breaking in restoring not just bodies but social religious status. Early church continued healing ministry.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does lepers faith doubting not Jesus power but willingness teach about proper prayer?
  2. How does Jesus healing restoring social and religious status not just physical health demonstrate kingdom wholeness?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 31 words
καὶ1 of 31

And

G2532

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

ἐγένετο2 of 31

it came to pass

G1096

to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)

ἐν3 of 31

in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῷ4 of 31
G3588

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

εἶναι5 of 31

was

G1511

to exist

αὐτοῦ6 of 31

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

ἐν7 of 31

in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

μιᾷ8 of 31
G1520

one

τῶν9 of 31
G3588

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

πόλεων10 of 31

city

G4172

a town (properly, with walls, of greater or less size)

καὶ11 of 31

And

G2532

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

ἰδού,12 of 31

behold

G2400

used as imperative lo!

ἀνὴρ13 of 31

a man

G435

a man (properly as an individual male)

πλήρης14 of 31

full

G4134

replete, or covered over; by analogy, complete

λέπρας·15 of 31

of leprosy

G3014

scaliness, i.e., "leprosy"

καὶ16 of 31

And

G2532

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

ἰδὼν17 of 31

seeing

G1492

used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl

τὸν18 of 31
G3588

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

Ἰησοῦν19 of 31

Jesus

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

πεσὼν20 of 31

fell

G4098

to fall (literally or figuratively)

ἐπὶ21 of 31

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

πρόσωπον22 of 31

his face

G4383

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

ἐδεήθη23 of 31

and besought

G1189

to beg (as binding oneself), i.e., petition

αὐτοῦ24 of 31

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

λέγων,25 of 31

saying

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

Κύριε26 of 31

Lord

G2962

supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)

ἐὰν27 of 31

if

G1437

a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty

θέλῃς28 of 31

thou wilt

G2309

to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse; whereas g1014 properly denotes rather a passive acquiescence in objective considerations),

δύνασαί29 of 31

thou canst

G1410

to be able or possible

με30 of 31

me

G3165

me

καθαρίσαι31 of 31

clean

G2511

to cleanse (literally or figuratively)


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 5:12 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 5:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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