Luke 17:15–17 (ESV)
Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?”
In Luke 17:11–19, Jesus heals ten lepers. Only one, a Samaritan, comes back to thank Him. What follows is a profound revelation of who Jesus truly is.
Let’s unpack this short scene.
1. The Samaritan Praised God—But at Jesus’ Feet
Notice what happens: the man praises God with a loud voice and then falls on his face at Jesus’ feet to thank Him (v.15–16). He doesn’t run to the temple. He doesn’t go to a synagogue. He doesn’t even look up to heaven. He praises God, worshipping at Jesus’ feet
Was the man mistaken or confused? The text is showing us something profound. The man clearly understood that divine healing had come from Jesus Himself. He understood that to thank Jesus means thanking God!
2. Jesus Accepts the Worship—and Calls It Praise to God
This is where it becomes crystal clear.
Jesus doesn’t correct the man. He doesn’t say, “What are you doing?! Stop it!” He doesn’t say, “Wait, don’t worship me! Worship God!” Instead, He affirms the man’s action. Jesus even says:
“Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” (v.17)
But who did the man literally return to? Jesus.
There were 10 lepers healed. Nine were Jews and they failed to recognize God. One foreigner, A Samaritan, was the only one who got it!
Do you see it? Jesus equates praising God with falling at His own feet in worship. In Jesus’ mind, returning to Him is returning to God.
This is not just a casual slip of language. It’s a bold, unmistakable claim. No mere prophet or teacher would ever accept worship as equal to praise to God—unless He is God.
3. Only God Deserves Worship
Throughout the Bible, worship is reserved for God alone.
- When Cornelius fell at Peter’s feet, Peter told him, “Stand up; I too am a man” (Acts 10:25–26).
- When John mistakenly tried to worship an angel, the angel rebuked him, “Do not do that! Worship God” (Revelation 22:8–9).
But Jesus doesn’t stop the Samaritan or rebuke him. In fact, He welcomes the worship meant for God. He receives the thanks meat for God. He even questions why the other nine did not return with thanks and praise to Him. Jesus was claimigfor Himself he thanksgiving and praise that is meant for God alone!
That only makes sense if Jesus is God.
Conclusion: A Simple Scene That Illuminates A Divine Truth
What seems like a small moment, just one man returning to say thank you, turns out to be a powerful witness to Jesus’ divine identity. He heals with divine authority. He receives worship rightfully. And He identifies Himself with the One to whom all praise is due.
Luke 17 doesn’t just tell us that Jesus did a miracle. It shows us, unmistakably, that Jesus is God.
So the next time Zakir Naik and his devotees ask, “Where did Jesus claim He is God”, point them to this little scene so they can learn wo Jesus is from that Samaritan man.