Basic Questions

1. Identify as completely as possible the person in need (e.g., age, ethnic origin, religion, gender, social status).
   10 men who were lepers, one was a Samaritan.

2. What was the immediate, obvious need?
   10 men had leprosy.

3. Who took the initiative in effecting the healing?
   The person in need? Others? Jesus?
   How was it expressed?
   10 lepers called out, "Jesus, Master, have pity on us!" (v13)

4. Describe the actions or process leading to the healing; that is, what was said (e.g., questions, requests, commands) and what was done (e.g., approaching, following, touching, publicly/privately), and by whom?
   10 men met Jesus, they called out, "Jesus, Master, have pity on us!" (v13), Jesus told them to show themselves to the priests - as they went they were healed (v14), only 1 thanked Jesus.

5. Did the person in need or someone else verbally express faith? Non-verbally? Describe how and by whom faith was in involved in this healing.
   10 men expressed faith in Jesus by calling out (v13) and then obeying (v14).
   Only 1 man showed more faith by coming back and thanking Jesus. (v15)

6. What were the evidences that the person was healed?
   The priests declared them clean. (v14)

7. What were the reactions to the healing?
   Only 1 man expressed thanks.

8. What in this narrative led Jesus to minister healing to the person in need?
   Compassion and the fact that the 10 men asked.

Digging Deeper

1. At the beginning of this story, Jesus is in the northern part of Israel starting on his final journey to Jerusalem, and is entering "a village". Farther along the way, he'll pass through Jericho where he heals the blind begger, Bartimaeus (#25). Who meets Jesus as he approaches the village? Are they in the village or outside? What is mentioned to conclude this? What was the Levitical law concerning lepers (see Lev 13, 14)?
   10 men who had leprosy met Jesus. They were probably outside the village - (v12) says they stood at a distance. Jewish law required lepers to be separated (outcast). The leper had to see a priest to be declared "clean" and rejoin the community.

2. How is their need expressed? Is their physical condition ever expressed/verbalized? (Note: the Greek word eleos is translated either "pity" or "mercy")
   10 lepers called out, "Jesus, Master, have pity on us!" (v13) They never mention leprosy.

3. Unlike Bartimaeus or the Canaanite woman, they do not call Jesus "Son of David" or "Lord" but "Master/Sir". Any ideas as to why? Are they timid in their appeal? What does that say about your requests/prayer for healing (or anything else)?
   This prayer is similar to the Jesus Prayer -"Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner".
   Addressing Jesus as Master implies more of a personal relationship than "Son of God" or "Son of David". This is a more personal way of addressing Jesus - as your Master - as your Lord.
   The 10 men also asked boldly.

   Heb 4:16     Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

4. Jesus "sees" the ten men standing at a distance, as he hears their pleas. The Greek word for "see" is idio which means "to apprehend" (physically, mentally and spiritually; not just to visibly "look at") What does Jesus do and/or say?
   (v14)He said, "Go, show yourselves to the priests". This would take care of their "whole" healing - physical and social. They needed the priest to declare them clean so they could rejoin their community. It's interesting that Jesus told the lepers this before they were healed.

5. In addition to being unclean and outcast, lepers are untouchable. Jesus does not touch the men in this account. Is that true for other healings of leprosy in the Gospels? Is there, perhaps a reason why touch is not part of this account?
   In other healings Jesus does touch the leper. account #4
   Jesus must have wanted them to obey "Go, show yourselves to the priests" before they were healed. This is an act of faith by the lepers.

6. "As they went they were cleansed". Who was cleansed? What does this say about the role of the "healee" relative to that of the "healer"? (Note: the Greek word katharizo translated "cleansed" and "leprosy disappeared". Explain how the story of Naaman ( 2 Kings 5:1-14) confirms this conclusion.)
   Sometimes the "healee" must obey a specific command before healing takes place.
   Naaman also had to obey a specific command before his healing took place. It's interesting that Naaman's first reaction was rage when his healing didn't happen the way he expected it to (2 Kings 5:11-12). When he did obey he was healed (2 Kings 5:14).

7. "Jesus asked ..." seems to imply that Jesus is speaking to more than the ex-leper because it is followed by "then he said to him ..." which is directed at the ex-leper. What reason(s) does Jesus have for asking these questions?
   (v17-18)Show all how important it is to give thanks.
   (v19)Show that Jesus was pleased with the ex-leper for returning to give thanks.

8. Who was "made well"? (Note: the Greek word sozo is translated as "well", "whole", and "saved".) Jesus tells the man "... your faith has made you well". Although all 10 men were "cleansed" of their leprosy, only one was made "well", "whole", or "saved". Why? What does this mean for you?
   (v19)The man who returned to give thanks was "made well". He was the only one to "seek" out Jesus and give thanks after his leprosy disappeared. This shows how important seeking Jesus to give thanks is. It also shows that there is more to becoming "well", "whole", or "saved" than physical healing.

9. What lesson(s) have you learned about healing from this account?

   Sometimes Jesus requires us to obey a specific command before healing takes place.

   There is more to becoming "well", "whole", or "saved" than physical healing.

   1 Thess. 5:16-18     Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

   Psalm 138:1     I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart; before the gods I sing your praise.

   Heb 4:16     Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.