Devine Scripture

Luke 17:16

What does Luke 17:16 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 17:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 17:16 means

Falling on his face at Jesus’ feet, the healed man gives thanks. Luke highlights that he is a Samaritan, a person from a group often despised by Jews. The outsider becomes the exemplar of true worship and gratitude. His posture of humility acknowledges Jesus not only as healer but as the one worthy of honor reserved for God. This scene quietly testifies to the wideness of God’s mercy reaching beyond expected boundaries. It also shows that gratitude naturally bends low; it recognizes grace as undeserved. The Samaritan’s thanksgiving dignifies faith as more than receiving gifts—it treasures the Giver above the renewed circumstances.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And, falling down on his face at the feet of Jesus, he gave the credit to him; and he was a man of Samaria.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and he fell upon <FI>his<Fi> face at his feet, giving thanks to him, and he was a Samaritan.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And he fell on his face before his feet, giving thanks. And this was a Samaritan.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and fell on [his] face at his feet giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.

Context

This verse intensifies the prior one’s praise (verse 15) by describing posture and identity. The man’s Samaritan background sets up Jesus’ searching contrast: ten were cleansed, but only this foreigner returned to glorify God (verses 17–18). The narrative thus critiques presumption and lifts up responsive faith. It culminates with Jesus’ personal word to the man about his faith making him whole (verse 19), suggesting a blessing that reaches beyond physical healing to comprehensive salvation.

v.15And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, with a loud voice glorifying God;

v.16This passage

v.17And Jesus answering said, Were not the ten cleansed? but where are the nine?

Cross references

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

  • Revelation 5:14

    And the four living creatures said, Amen. And the elders fell down and worshipped.

  • Matthew 10:5

    These twelve Jesus sent forth, and charged them, saying, Go not into any way of the Gentiles, and enter not into any city of the Samaritans:

  • John 4:21

    Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when neither in this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, shall ye worship the Father.

  • Matthew 2:11

    And they came into the house and saw the young child with Mary his mother; and they fell down and worshipped him; and opening their treasures they offered unto him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.

  • Acts 8:5

    And Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and proclaimed unto them the Christ.

  • Revelation 4:10

    the four and twenty elders shall fall down before him that sitteth on the throne, and shall worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and shall cast their crowns before the throne, saying,

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