28th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (C)

Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!

Lk 17:11-19

v. 11 - As he continued his journey to Jerusalem, he traveled through Samaria and Galilee.

The mention of going to Jerusalem indicates that a new section is starting (17:11-19:28). We see the same sign post in 9:51 and 13:22.

The structure of Luke’s gospel is a journey to Jerusalem.

Examining the geography of Palestine, we should be surprised that the Jesus traveled through Samaria and Galilee. The order of Jesus’ journey should be Galilee and then Samaria. It is perhaps because of this error that some manuscripts attempted a correction by indicating instead that Jesus “traveled along the border of Samaria and Galilee”.

v. 12 - As he was entering a village, ten lepers met (him). They stood at a distance from him….

Those who were put under the classification as lepers were not only those af-flicted with Hansen’s disease but other kinds of skin diseases.

They are to live separated from the general population. They have to warn others of their presence by ringing a bell and shouting “unclean, unclean”. They are to keep themselves at a distance from healthy people – 50 yards if they are windward from them. Cf. Lv 13:46.

v. 13 - and raised their voice, saying, "Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!"

“Master” is used to translate “epistates”. This is common in Luke but the only time used by someone who is not a disciple. “Epistates” expressed a more profound faith in the authority of Jesus in contrast to “didaskalos” which is also used to translate “master” (Lk 5:5).

v. 14 - And when he saw them, he said, "Go show yourselves to the priests."

The priests were authorized to certify that a person has truly been healed and can, therefore, return to the community. Cf. Lv 14:2-3

v. 15 - And one of them, realizing he had been healed, returned, glorifying God in a loud voice.

To praise God and to give glory to God is the usual reaction of those present who witnessed a divine manifestation or a miracle. Lk 2:20; 5:25.26; 7:16; 13:13; 17:15.18.

v. 16 - He was a Samaritan.

Luke makes use of the Samaritan, the centurion, the non-Jew in order to provide an unexpected twist in the narration. It may be a way of indicating the acceptance of the gospel by the pagans.