Luke 5:12-16Luke: List of Major Bible Charts, Maps, & PicturesJesus' Ministry in GalileeTeaching and Miracles
Healing of the leper
This miracle is covered in detail in the Gospel of Mark (below). Several different diseases, varying in severity and prognosis, were referred to as "leprosy." In its worst form the condition was defiling (the leper was considered ceremonially "unclean"), disfiguring and fatal. Luke says this man was full of leprosy indicating that the illness had run its course. The only known defense was quarantine of the sufferer. In this era, the priest would certify that a leper had been cured, as well as offer the appropriate sacrifices for this situation (Lev. 14).
The reader will note that Luke 5:12-16 forms a chiastic structure (a writing style that uses a unique repetition pattern for clarification and emphasis) focusing upon this miracle:
A. cities (Luke 5:12)
B. leprosy (Luke 5:12)
C. Lord, if you will, you can make me clean (Luke 5:12)
C'. I will; be clean (Luke 5:13)
B'. leprosy (Luke 5:13)
Cx2'. tell no one (Luke 5:14)
Cx3'. the report about him went abroad (Luke 5:15)
A'. places (Luke 5:16)
Luke 5:12
leprosy. The word leprosy was kind of a catchall term for various kinds of skin diseases, including the actual condition of leprosy. Some conditions would clear up and be examined by the priest (Lev. 13–14). However leprosy itself had no cure. The disease creates open sores and lesions on the skin which often open up and cause great pain. As it progresses, the disease brings about permanent nerve damage, which often leads to physical disfigurement and the loss of any sensation in limbs. This led to unknown injuries which could become infected. It was often referred to as a condition of living death. Leprosy was an especially powerful sign of humanity's spiritual disease called sin (Isa. 1:4-6). fell on his face. A sign of humility and reverence (17:16). He was desperate for Jesus's help. willing. The man understood Jesus's power and ability to make his clean. He didn't know if he was willing to heal.
Luke 5:13
touched him. Leprosy had social implications in addition to the physical difficulties (see note on v. 12). The man would have been living alone, outside the town, and considered unclean (Lev. 13:45-46). He was expected to keep his distance from others and yell a warning if anyone came close. If someone touched a leper, he would be made unclean as well. leprosy lefthim. Instead of becoming unclean when Jesus touched the leper, Jesus made the leper clean. Such is his power that the healing was immediate.
Luke 5:14
Moses commanded. Leviticus 14 says that the priest was to examine the man to see if he has been healed. If he had, then the priest declared him to be ceremonially clean, ceremonially washed him, and welcomed him back into the community. testimony. More than obeying the law, Jesus wanted something about himself known. He could do what no priest could do. A normal priest in Israel would have been unable to heal the leper or even touch him for fear of being made unclean. Jesus could actually bring healing.
Luke 5:16
Jesus recognized his need of communion with the Father (see note on 3:21).
