Bible Strands
Luke 5:12
While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell facedown and begged Him, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.”
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Jesus speaks to a leper in a town immediately after His newly called disciples leave their boats to follow Him. The leper approaches Jesus, falls facedown, and makes a conditional request for healing.
The words — ἐγένετο (egeneto) translates literally as “it came to pass,” marking the narrative transition into the encounter. αὐτὸν (auton) functions as the object pronoun “Him,” directing the leper’s appeal specifically to Jesus’ person and authority.
The thread — The leper’s plea “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean” appears verbatim in Matthew 8:2. The posture of falling facedown and the theme of divine deliverance in times of trouble echo the call to honor God in Psalms 50:15 and the Samaritan’s thanksgiving in Luke 17:16.
Why it lands — The text records a man acknowledging Jesus’ power while submitting to His will, then Jesus responds with immediate action and the statement “I am willing.” A reader must confront the demand to align personal requests with Christ’s sovereign choice and to move from petition to obedience when healing is granted.
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 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.
Cross-references
- Psalms 50:15 Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor Me.”
- Matthew 8:2 Suddenly a leper came and knelt before Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.”
- Luke 17:16 He fell facedown at Jesus’ feet in thanksgiving to Him—and he was a Samaritan.
- Matthew 9:28 After Jesus had entered the house, the blind men came to Him. “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” He asked. “Yes, Lord,” they answered.
- Mark 1:40 Then a leper came to Jesus, begging on his knees: “If You are willing, You can make me clean.”
- Luke 17:12 As He entered one of the villages, He was met by ten lepers. They stood at a distance
- Genesis 18:14 Is anything too difficult for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you—in about a year—and Sarah will have a son.”
- Psalms 91:15 When he calls out to Me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble. I will deliver him and honor him.
- Matthew 8:8 The centurion answered, “Lord, I am not worthy to have You come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed.
- Hebrews 7:25 Therefore He is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them.