Bible Strands
Luke 17:14
When Jesus saw them, He said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they were on their way, they were cleansed.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses a group of lepers who have just shouted for mercy, commanding them to go and present themselves to the priests. This occurs in the immediate sequence between the lepers' plea and the subsequent return of only one healed man.
The words — The command ἐπιδεῖξαι (epideixai) literally means "do show yourselves," directing the men to the priests for official verification. The participle πορευθέντες (poreuthentes) indicates "having gone," noting that their cleansing occurred during the act of obedience.
The thread — The text records a directive that echoes the Mosaic purification protocol in Leviticus 13:1 and mirrors Jesus' later instruction to a healed leper in Luke 5:14. It also parallels the obedience required in 2 Kings 5:14.
Why it lands — The text states that the men were cleansed while walking, not before they moved. It asks the reader to comply with a command whose result remains unseen until the act of obedience is completed.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- Leviticus 13:1 Then the LORD said to Moses and Aaron,
- Luke 5:14 “Do not tell anyone,” Jesus instructed him. “But go, show yourself to the priest and present the offering Moses prescribed for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.”
- 2 Kings 5:14 So Naaman went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, according to the word of the man of God, and his flesh was restored and became like that of a little child, and he was clean.
- Matthew 3:15 “Let it be so now,” Jesus replied. “It is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness in this way.” Then John permitted Him.
- Matthew 8:3 Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” He said. “Be clean!” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
- John 11:10 But if anyone walks at night, he will stumble, because he has no light.”
- Leviticus 14:1 Then the LORD said to Moses,
- Isaiah 65:24 Even before they call, I will answer, and while they are still speaking, I will hear.
- John 2:5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever He tells you.”
- John 9:7 Then He told him, “Go, wash in the Pool of Siloam” (which means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came back seeing.