What happened with Jesus and the 10 lepers? CQ Kids

Leprosy, a horrible disease, was a big problem in Jesus’ day. It caused numbness in a person’s nerves, so if they got hurt, they didn’t feel pain. Since pain is the body’s way of warning us something is wrong, people with leprosy could hurt themselves and not even realize it.

Lepers couldn’t live with their families unless the whole family was sick. They couldn’t worship in the Temple. They couldn’t work, so they had to beg. There was no cure, so any healing was considered miraculous.

In Luke, (17:11-13, NLT) we read: “As Jesus continued on toward Jerusalem, he reached the border between Galilee and Samaria. As he entered a village there, ten men with leprosy stood at a distance, crying out, ‘Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!’”

Because it was contagious, people with leprosy had to stay away from others and warn them not to come near. (see Leviticus 13:45) So these men lived together as outcasts, isolated and helpless, their sickness separating them from normal life.

Having heard of Jesus, they recognized his authority and compassion by calling him Master and asking for mercy instead of money. They showed faith and respect, believing he could restore them and change their condition.

(Luke 17:14, NLT) “He looked at them and said, ‘Go show yourselves to the priests.’ And as they went, they were cleansed of their leprosy.”
What an unexpected response from Jesus! He didn’t touch them or speak even one word of healing. He simply commanded them to go show themselves to the priests, who could check them like a doctor and declare they were healed. (see Leviticus 13:1‐3,14) The men obeyed and Jesus healed them on the way.

(Luke 17:15,16, NLT) “One