Jesus’ encounter with the lepers takes place in the “region between Samaria and Galilee,” suggesting a potentially hostile locale at the border, neither inside nor outside Jewish territory. Jesus is on the way to Jerusalem, a literary road sign that points ahead to the impending violence of the cross.
The relationship between Samaritans and Jews at the time of
Jesus was conflicted and sometimes violent. Centuries before this they had been
one people, but changes and tensions wrought by exile and return put them at
odds regarding beliefs about scripture, worship, what it means to be holy, etc.
A history of hostility may explain why James and John suggest firebombing a
Samaritan village (“Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from
heaven and consume them?” cf. 2Kings 1:10-12) after it refuses to serve as the
first rest stop on Jesus’ journey. Jesus firmly rebukes their violent request
(Luke 9:51-56).
In any case, despite potential danger, and without asking
anything about their loyalties, heritage, or intentions (will they perpetuate
the hostility?), Jesus works healing for all ten — including the Samaritan.
After the Samaritan saw that he was healed, the rest of his
response is characterized by four verbs: turn back (hypostrepho), praise (or
give glory; doxazo), prostrate (literally fall on his face), and thank
(eucharisto). Jesus highlights the first two verbs by repetition: “Was none of
them found to return (hypostrepho) and give praise (doxa) to God except this
foreigner?
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