Luke 17:15

What does Luke 17:15 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 17:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 17:15 means

One of the ten, realizing he has been healed, turns back immediately to God with loud praise. His gratitude is both spontaneous and public; he does not delay the acknowledgment of divine mercy. The noise that leprosy once used to warn others away now becomes a trumpet of worship. His return is an act of faith, recognizing the true source of his cleansing. Gratitude completes the circle of grace; it does not pay back but rightly honors the Giver. This man shows that the proper response to Jesus’ kindness is not merely to proceed with life restored but to return and adore the One who restores.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, with a loud voice glorifying God;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, with a loud voice glorifying God;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And one of them, when he saw that he was clean, turning back, gave praise to God in a loud voice;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and one of them having seen that he was healed did turn back, with a loud voice glorifying God,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And one of them, when he saw that he was made clean, went back, with a loud voice glorifying God.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And one of them, seeing that he was cured, turned back, glorifyingGod with a loud voice,

Context

This response follows the group’s cleansing along the way (verse 14) and shifts the narrative’s focus to the inner heart response to mercy. In the next verse, Luke notes that this grateful man is a Samaritan (verse 16), heightening the surprise and sharpening Jesus’ later questions (verses 17–18). The sequence contrasts thankful worship with silent benefit, preparing for Jesus’ affirmation that faith—not ethnicity or mere ritual—secures true wholeness (verse 19).

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.

v.15This passage

v.16and he fell upon his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.

Cross references

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

  • Psalms 116:12

    What shall I render unto Jehovah For all his benefits toward me?

  • Psalms 107:20

    He sendeth his word, and healeth them, And delivereth them from their destructions.

  • Psalms 103:1

    Bless Jehovah, O my soul; And all that is within me, blesshis holy name.

  • John 9:38

    And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him.

  • Isaiah 38:19

    The living, the living, he shall praise thee, as I do this day: The father to the children shall make known thy truth.

  • 2 Chronicles 32:24

    In those days Hezekiah was sick even unto death: and he prayed unto Jehovah; and he spake unto him, and gave him a sign.

Related questions readers ask

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to Luke 17:15.