What Does Luke 17:17 Mean in the King James?
And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The ten share the cleansing, but the question turns toward the one who comes back to recognize its source.
THE MEANING
A change can reach you without your returning to recognize its source. Jesus’ question makes that gap visible: ten are cleansed, yet only one returns in gratitude. The nine remain unaccounted for, and the verse leaves their absence open.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
Receiving a gift does not automatically mean recognizing the one who gave it.
THE ROOT
ἐκαθαρίσθησαν
ekatharisthēsan
GROWS FROM
καθαρ-
kathar-
clean, pure
“cleansed” in this verse is ekatharisthēsan. This word family holds together the act of cleansing and the state of being clean. All ten share the cleansing; the question asks who returns in recognition, showing that receiving a change and recognizing its source are distinct movements.
ALSO GROWS
katharos: clean, pure
καθαρός
The adjective names the clean state shared by those who are cleansed.
katharismos: cleansing, purification
καθαρισμός
This noun names the cleansing itself, the shared experience behind Jesus’ question.
THE PATTERN
A received gift becomes a recognized gift when the receiver turns back in thanksgiving.
And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.THE THREAD
And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.Verse 17 names the ten who are cleansed; here Jesus speaks to the one who returns. The distinct verb σέσωκέν (sesōken, “has delivered, has made whole”) brings the passage from cleansing to wholeness through trust.
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