Devine Scripture

Luke 17:13

What does Luke 17:13 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 17:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 17:13 means

The ten lift their voices together, appealing to Jesus as Master and begging for mercy. This united cry shows both humility and faith: they know they cannot heal themselves and believe He has authority to help. Their request is simple and right; they cast themselves upon His compassion. In calling Him Master, they acknowledge His authority over their condition. Their plea does not specify the method, only the outcome—mercy. This is a picture of prayer in distress: honest, brief, and directed to the One able to save. Jesus will answer, not by immediate touch, but by sending them into an obedience that becomes the pathway to their cleansing.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

and they lifted up their voices, saying, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

and they lifted up their voices, saying, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Said, in loud voices, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and they lifted up the voice, saying, `Jesus, master, deal kindly with us;'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And lifted up their voice, saying: Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And they lifted up [their] voice saying, Jesus, Master, have compassion on us.

Context

The cry for mercy follows the lepers’ approach from a distance (verse 12). Jesus responds by instructing them to show themselves to the priests (verse 14), the appointed authorities to verify cleansing and enable full reintegration into community life. As they go, they are cleansed, and one of them will perceive what has happened, return, and glorify God (verses 15–16). Jesus then contrasts the gratitude of the Samaritan with the silence of the nine (verses 17–18) and affirms the role of faith in the man’s wholeness (verse 19).

v.12And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, who stood afar off:

v.13This passage

v.14And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go and show yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, as they went, they were cleansed.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Matthew 15:22

    And behold, a Canaanitish woman came out from those borders, and cried, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a demon.

  • Mark 9:22

    And oft-times it hath cast him both into the fire and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do anything, have compassion on us, and help us.

  • Luke 18:38

    And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me.

  • Luke 5:5

    And Simon answered and said, Master, we toiled all night, and took nothing: but at thy word I will let down the nets.

  • Matthew 9:27

    And as Jesus passed by from thence, two blind men followed him, crying out, and saying, Have mercy on us, thou son of David.

  • Matthew 20:30

    And behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus was passing by, cried out, saying, Lord, have mercy on us, thou son of David.

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