Luke 17:11
What does Luke 17:11 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 17:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 17:11 means
Luke situates Jesus on His way to Jerusalem, traveling along the border between Samaria and Galilee. This geographical note readies us for an encounter that will cross social and religious boundaries. The journey to Jerusalem is loaded with purpose in Luke’s Gospel, pointing toward Jesus’ appointed suffering and mission. Passing near Samaria hints that those considered outsiders are still very much within His saving reach. The setting underscores that Christ’s compassion is not restrained by regional or ethnic lines, and that divine appointments often arise in out-of-the-way places as He moves steadily toward the cross.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And it came to pass, as they were on the way to Jerusalem, that he was passing along the borders of Samaria and Galilee.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And it came to pass, as they were on the way to Jerusalem, that he was passing along the borders of Samaria and Galilee.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And it came about that when they were on the way to Jerusalem he went through Samaria and Galilee.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And it came to pass, in his going on to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And it came to pass, as he was going to Jerusalem, he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And it came to pass as he was going up to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.
Context
This transitional verse moves from teachings about faith and servanthood (verses 1–10) to a miracle episode that demonstrates mercy and tests gratitude (verses 12–19). The mention of Jerusalem recalls Jesus’ earlier predictions of suffering (anticipating verse 25) and connects the narrative to His overarching mission. The borderland location prepares readers for the surprising identity of the most responsive leper—a Samaritan—who will return to give thanks and glorify God, in contrast to the majority who do not return.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
Related questions readers ask
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