Saturday, October 12, 2019


·        14 Joseph Schereschewsky, Bishop of Shanghai, 1906
·        15 Teresa of Ávila, Nun, 1582 was a Spanish noblewoman who chose a monastic life in the Catholic Church. A Carmelite nun, prominent Spanish mysticreligious reformer, author, theologian of the contemplative life and mental prayer, she earned the rare distinction of being declared a Doctor of the Church over four centuries after her death.[5] Active during the Counter-Reformation, she reformed the Carmelite Orders of both women and men.
·        16 Hugh Latimer and Nicholas Ridley, Bishops, 1555/
·        17 Ignatius, Bishop of Antioch, and Martyr, c. 115 also known as Ignatius Theophorus (Ιγνάτιος ὁ ΘεοφόροςIgnátios ho Theophóroslit. "the God-bearing") or Ignatius Nurono (lit. "The fire-bearer"), was an early Christian writer and bishop of Antioch. While in route to Rome, where he met his martyrdom, Ignatius wrote a series of letters
·        18 Saint Luke the Evangelist
·        19 Henry Martyn, Priest, and Missionary to India and Persia, 1812. William Carey, Missionary to India, 1834




OLD TESTAMENT: Jeremiah 29: 1, 4 - 7   (RCL)

Jere 29:1 (NRSV) These are the words of the letter that the prophet Jeremi'ah sent from Jerusalem to the remaining elders among the exiles, and to the priests, the prophets, and all the people, whom Nebuchadnez'zar had taken into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon.
4 Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5 Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat what they produce. 6 Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. 7 But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.


2 Kings 5: 1 - 3, 7 - 15c (alt. for RCL)
2 Kings 5: 14 - 17 (Roman Catholic)

2Kin 5:1 (NRSV) Na'aman, commander of the army of the king of Ar'am, was a great man and in high favor with his master, because by him the LORD had given victory to Ar'am. The man, though a mighty warrior, suffered from leprosy. 2 Now the Arame'ans on one of their raids had taken a young girl captive from the land of Israel, and she served Na'aman's wife. 3 She said to her mistress, "If only my lord were with the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy."
7 When the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes and said, "Am I God, to give death or life, that this man sends word to me to cure a man of his leprosy? Just look and see how he is trying to pick a quarrel with me."
8 But when Eli'sha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, he sent a message to the king, "Why have you torn your clothes? Let him come to me, that he may learn that there is a prophet in Israel." 9 So Na'aman came with his horses and chariots, and halted at the entrance of Eli'sha's house. 10 Eli'sha sent a messenger to him, saying, "Go, wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored and you shall be clean." 11 But Na'aman became angry and went away, saying, "I thought that for me he would surely come out, and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, and would wave his hand over the spot, and cure the leprosy! 12 Are not Aba'na and Phar'par, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them, and be clean?" He turned and went away in a rage. 13 But his servants approached and said to him, "Father, if the prophet had commanded you to do something difficult, would you not have done it? How much more, when all he said to you was, "Wash, and be clean'?" 14 So he went down and immersed himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God; his flesh was restored like the flesh of a young boy, and he was clean.
15 Then he returned to the man of God, he and all his company; he came and stood before him and said, "Now I know that there is no God in all the earth except in Israel; please accept a present from your servant." 16 But he said, "As the LORD lives, whom I serve, I will accept nothing!" He urged him to accept, but he refused. 17 Then Na'aman said, "If not, please let two mule-loads of earth be given to your servant; for your servant will no longer offer burnt offering or sacrifice to any god except the LORD.


PSALM 66: 1 - 12 (RCL)

Psal 66:1 (NRSV) Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth;
2 sing the glory of his name;
give to him glorious praise.
3 Say to God, "How awesome are your deeds!
Because of your great power, your enemies cringe before you.
4 All the earth worships you;
they sing praises to you,
sing praises to your name." [Se'lah]
5 Come and see what God has done:
he is awesome in his deeds among mortals.
6 He turned the sea into dry land;
they passed through the river on foot.
There we rejoiced in him,
7 who rules by his might forever,
whose eyes keep watch on the nations--
let the rebellious not exalt themselves. [Se'lah]
8 Bless our God, O peoples,
let the sound of his praise be heard,
9 who has kept us among the living,
and has not let our feet slip.
10 For you, O God, have tested us;
you have tried us as silver is tried.
11 You brought us into the net;
you laid burdens on our backs;
12 you let people ride over our heads;
we went through fire and through water;
yet you have brought us out to a spacious place.

Note: Verse numbering in your psalter may differ from the above.


66   Jubilate Deo     (ECUSA BCP)

1               Be joyful in God, all you lands; *
     sing the glory of his Name;
     sing the glory of his praise.

2               Say to God, "How awesome are your deeds! *
     because of your great strength your enemies
                        cringe before you.

3               All the earth bows down before you, *
     sings to you, sings out your Name."


4               Come now and see the works of God, *
     how wonderful he is in his doing toward all people.

5               He turned the sea into dry land,
so that they went through the water on foot, *
     and there we rejoiced in him.

6               In his might he rules for ever;
his eyes keep watch over the nations; *
     let no rebel rise up against him.

7               Bless our God, you peoples; *
     make the voice of his praise to be heard;

8               Who holds our souls in life, *
     and will not allow our feet to slip.

9               For you, O God, have proved us; *
     you have tried us just as silver is tried.

10             You brought us into the snare; *
     you laid heavy burdens upon our backs.

11             You let enemies ride over our heads;
we went through fire and water; *
     but you brought us out into a place of refreshment.


Psalm 111 (alt. for RCL)

Psal 111:1 (NRSV) Praise the LORD!
I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart,
in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
2 Great are the works of the LORD,
studied by all who delight in them.
3 Full of honor and majesty is his work,
and his righteousness endures forever.
4 He has gained renown by his wonderful deeds;
the LORD is gracious and merciful.
5 He provides food for those who fear him;
he is ever mindful of his covenant.
6 He has shown his people the power of his works,
in giving them the heritage of the nations.
7 The works of his hands are faithful and just;
all his precepts are trustworthy.
8 They are established forever and ever,
to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.
9 He sent redemption to his people;
he has commanded his covenant forever.
Holy and awesome is his name.
10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;
all those who practice it have a good understanding.
His praise endures forever.


111   Confitebor tibi    (ECUSA BCP)

1               Hallelujah!
I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, *
     in the assembly of the upright, in the congregation.

2               Great are the deeds of the Lord! *
     they are studied by all who delight in them.

3               His work is full of majesty and splendor, *
     and his righteousness endures for ever.

4               He makes his marvelous works to be remembered; *
     the Lord is gracious and full of compassion.

5               He gives food to those who fear him; *
     he is ever mindful of his covenant.

6               He has shown his people the power of his works *
     in giving them the lands of the nations.

7               The works of his hands are faithfulness and justice; *
     all his commandments are sure.

8               They stand fast for ever and ever, *
     because they are done in truth and equity.

9               He sent redemption to his people;
he commanded his covenant for ever; *
     holy and awesome is his Name.


10             The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; *
     those who act accordingly have a good understanding;
     his praise endures for ever.


Psalm 98: 1 - 4 (Roman Catholic)

Psal 98:1 (NRSV) O sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done marvelous things.
His right hand and his holy arm
have gotten him victory.
2 The LORD has made known his victory;
he has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations.
3 He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness
to the house of Israel.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the victory of our God.
4 Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth;
break forth into joyous song and sing praises.


NEW TESTAMENT: 2 Timothy 2: 8 - 15 (RCL)
                                    2 Timothy 2: 8 - 13 (Roman Catholic)

2Tim 2:8 (NRSV) 8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David--that is my gospel, 9 for which I suffer hardship, even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained. 10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, so that they may also obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. 11 The saying is sure:
If we have died with him, we will also live with him;
12 if we endure, we will also reign with him;
if we deny him, he will also deny us;
13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful--
for he cannot deny himself.
14 Remind them of this, and warn them before God that they are to avoid wrangling over words, which does no good but only ruins those who are listening. 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved by him, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly explaining the word of truth.

Timothy, we read last week, lacks the courage to hand on the good news, perhaps because he leads a Christian community subject to ostracism or persecution. He is even ashamed of being Christian. The author, writing in Paul’s name, wishes that he rekindle his faith and follow Paul’s example. Using three illustrations (“soldier”, v. 3; “athlete”, v. 5; “farmer”, v. 6), Paul has told Timothy that being a Christian requires single-mindedness, self-denial and intense effort. Reflection will lead Timothy to God giving him complete understanding.
Now he is advised to recall what Paul taught: Christ, restored to God, is the kingly Messiah (“descendant of David”, v. 8) long expected. Paul continues to preach this despite “hardship” (v. 9) and imprisonment. Even so, the good news is available to all and continues to spread (“not chained”). Paul is the great example of enduring for those who are already Christian and for those who will come to faith (“the elect”, v. 10), enabling them to enjoy Christ’s promise of eternal life.
Vv. 11-13 are rhythmical so scholars believe they are from an early Christian hymn. If we share in Christ, in his death for sin in the world, we too will have eternal life (v. 11). If we do not give up, we will share in the Kingdom with him (v. 12a), but if we “deny him” (perhaps in times of trial or suffering) he will refuse to recognize us when he judges people – when he comes again (“he will also deny us”). In spite of our desertion, his promise is always there, for he is unchangeable (“cannot deny himself”, v. 13). V. 14 begins a section on how Timothy should minister in the presence of false teachers – who change or augment the body of faith handed down. These people wrangle over words, causing some to leave the community. Present yourself, Timothy, as a true and honourable teacher forging ahead in telling the faith as it is! (v. 15)

2:1-2: “my child ... faithful people ... others”: It is possible to see three generations here, so perhaps the parousia (the second coming of Christ) is now known to be delayed. See also 1 Clement 42, 44. [ NJBC]
2:2: “through many witnesses”: In the presence of is also a possible translation. Timothy’s ordination may be in view: the author writes in 1:6: “I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you through the laying on of my hands”. See also 1 Timothy 1:184:14 but consider also Deuteronomy 19:15 (the requirement for at least two witnesses). [ NJBC] On the other hand, through many witnesses may mean that Timothy learned from Paul and what he learnt has been confirmed by many.
2:2: “entrust”: 1 Timothy 6:20 says “Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you”.
2:2: Timothy’s function is to hand on apostolic teaching: see also 1:82:15 (“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved by him ... rightly explaining the word of truth”), 24-25. [ CAB]
2:3-6: All of the illustrations make the same point: hold nothing back from your work. They are used by Paul in 1 Corinthians in a somewhat different sense: see 1 Corinthians 9:724-27. These examples are often found in Greek philosophical tradition. [ NJBC]
2:3-4: Paul uses a military image in 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (“... we do not wage war according to human standards ...”) and Philemon 2 (“to Archippus our fellow soldier”). [ CAB]
2:54:8 says: “From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing”. See also 1 Timothy 1:186:12. [ CAB]
2:8: “Remember”: See also 1:4-6 (“Recalling your tears ... I am reminded of your sincere faith ... For this reason I remind you ...”) and 3:14-15. [ CAB]
2:8: “descendant of David”: In Romans 1:3-4, Paul writes that Jesus “was descended from David according to the flesh”. [ CAB] Curiously, Christ’s resurrection is mentioned before his birth. [ NJBC]
2:8: “that is my gospel”: i.e. Paul taught this. See also Romans 1:12:16 (“according to my gospel”); 16:25. Curiously, Christ’s death is mentioned before his birth. [ NJBC]
2:9-10NJBC says that there is no thought in the Pastoral Epistles of other apostles who would act were Paul’s work impeded.
2:9: “the word of God is not chained”: In Philippians 1:12-14, Paul says that his imprisonment has made many Christians “confident in the Lord” so that they now “dare to speak the word with greater boldness and without fear”. [ NOAB]
2:11-13: 1 Timothy 3:16 says: “Without any doubt, the mystery of our religion is great: He was revealed in flesh, vindicated in spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among Gentiles, believed in throughout the world, taken up in glory”. See also 1 Timothy 6:15-16. [ JBC]
2:11: “sure”: i.e. reliable. Titus 3:8 also says “The saying is sure”. [ NJBC]
2:11: “we will also live with him”: In Romans 6:8, Paul writes “... if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him”. See also Colossians 2:12203:1. [ CAB]
2:12: Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 4:8: “... Quite apart from us you have become kings! Indeed, I wish that you had become kings, so that we might be kings with you!”. Revelation 3:21 says: “To the one who conquers I will give a place with me on my throne, just as I myself conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne”. [ CAB]
2:12: “if we deny him”: In Luke 12:9, Jesus says “‘whoever denies me before others will be denied before the angels of God’”. In Matthew 10:33, he says: “whoever denies me before others, I also will deny before my Father in heaven”. See also Mark 8:38. [ NOAB] [ JBC]
2:13: “he remains faithful”: In Romans 3:3-8, Paul writes: “What if some were unfaithful? Will their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? By no means! Although everyone is a liar, let God be proved true, as it is written, "So that you may be justified in your words, and prevail in your judging ...”. See also Romans 11:29-32. [ JBC]
2:14-3:9: This section focuses on the negative behaviour of the false teachers and how Timothy should act in view of it. [ CAB]
2:14-26: Each of the sections (vv. 14-1516-212223-26) points out actions to be avoided and urges, either directly or by implication, the contrary correct behaviour. [ NJBC]
2:14: The function of Timothy's office is to safeguard the tradition, to pass it on, and to admonish when others do not abide by it. In 3:14, he is counselled to “continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it”. See also 4:2. [ CAB]
2:14: “wrangling over words”: According to 1 Timothy 6:4-5, a characteristic activity of false teachers. [ CAB]
2:15: “rightly explaining the word of truth”: See also 1:82:224-253:144:2; 1 Timothy 6:20. [ CABNJBC offers guiding the word of truth aright, and says that the image is of cutting a straight line or hewing out a straight path for the word.
2:16: “profane chatter”: In 1 Timothy 6:20, Timothy is advised to “ avoid the profane chatter”. [ CAB]
2:16: “impiety”: The opposite of piety (Greek: eusebia ), a virtue often praised by the author: see Titus 1:1 (where eusebia is translated as “godliness”). [ NJBC]
2:17: “Hymenaeus”: In 1 Timothy 1:20, he is paired with Alexander. [ NJBC] Here he is still part of the community but there he has been “turned over to Satan”, expelled. [ CAB]
2:18: “the resurrection has already taken place”: In Acts of Paul and Thecla 14, a different pair of opponents of Paul, Demas (see 2 Timothy 4:10) and Hermogenes (see 2 Timothy 1:15) teach that the resurrection, which Paul says is to come, has already taken place in the children we have, and that we are risen again (already) because we have come to know the true God. Their teaching is that resurrection is purely spiritual: they deny the future bodily resurrection and glorification, restricting resurrection to the mystical experience in baptism or conversion. [ NJBC]
Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15:12: “Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say there is no resurrection of the dead?”. 2 Thessalonians 2:1-2 says “As to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we beg you, brothers and sisters, not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as though from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord is already here”. It seems that this misunderstanding predates the Pastoral Epistles.
2:19-20: The language is from 1 Corinthians 3:10-12 and Romans 9:19-24 (“... Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one object for special use and another for ordinary use? ...”). The image of God as the potter is also found in Jeremiah 18:1-11 and Wisdom of Solomon 15:7. [ CAB] [ NJBC]
2:19: “God’s firm foundation”: 1 Corinthians 3:10-12 identifies the foundation of the Church as Christ; Ephesians 2:20 sees it as “the apostles and prophets”, with Christ as its “cornerstone”. Here it is probably God’s true revelation. [ NJBC]
2:19: “inscription”: NJBC offers seal. Two texts serve as a seal or distinguishing mark upon this “firm foundation”.
2:19: “‘The Lord knows those who are his’”: The quotation is from Numbers 16:5. To NOAB, the notion here is predestination. The quotation is from the account of God’s destruction of Korah and other opponents of Moses. God knows who are his own, and destroys those who are not! [ NJBC]
2:19: “‘Let everyone who calls ...’”: This may be a combination of Sirach 35:3 (or 7:2) with Leviticus 24:16. It warns true believers to shun wrongdoing. [ NJBC]
2:20-21: Although the Church is a mixed body containing both valuable and ignoble members (the various “utensils”), the ignoble, through cleansing, can become valuable. [ NJBC]
2:20: “In a large house”: Such as the church is. [ NOAB]
2:21: ” ready for every good work”: For the Pastoral Epistles, this is a hallmark of the true believer. Titus 1:16 speaks of those “profess to know God, but they deny him by their actions. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work”. See also Titus 3:1; 2 Timothy 3:17. [ NJBC]
2:22: Flee passion and pursue virtue. [ NJBC]
2:22: “passions”: 4:3 foretells a time when “people will not put up with sound doctrine, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths”. See also 1 Timothy 6:9. This may be an allusion to the negative actions listed in vv. 14-1623. [ CAB]
2:22: “from a pure heart”: 1 Timothy 1:5 says: “But the aim of such instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith”. See also 1 Timothy 3:9 (“with a clear conscience”) and 2 Timothy 1:3. [ NJBC]
2:23: See also 1 Timothy 1:474:76:420. [ CAB] This verse is close in language to Titus 3:9-10, verses that refer specifically to the behaviour of false teachers: “... avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless ...”. [ NJBC]
2:25: “correcting opponents with gentleness”: Nothing is gained by becoming angry; patience and avoidance of controversy may lead some to repentance. [ NOAB]
2:25: “God may perhaps grant that they will repent ...”: NJBC offers God may give them a change of heart. Despite the hostility of the author to false teachers, he remains convinced that God “desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (see 1 Timothy 2:4).
2:26: “him ... his”: While the Greek pronouns are ambiguous as to their antecedent(s), both probably refer to “the devil”. [ NJBC]




GOSPEL: Luke 17: 11 - 19 (all)

Luke 17:11 (NRSV) On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance, 13 they called out, saying, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!" 14 When he saw them, he said to them, "Go and show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were made clean. 15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. 16 He prostrated himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. 17 Then Jesus asked, "Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? 18 Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" 19 Then he said to him, "Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well."

Jesus is on the final leg of his journey from Galilee to Jerusalem. He told his disciples how important genuine faith is. Lepers were outcasts from society; people considered them ritually unclean, believed the disease to be infectious by touch, and thought they were possessed by evil spirits. All ten acknowledge Jesus as who he is, “Master” (v. 13): they have faith. To be restored to society, a leper needed certification from “the priests” (v. 14) that he was free of the disease.
While all ten acknowledge Jesus as God, only one, a “Samaritan” (v. 16), a “foreigner” (v. 18), gives thanks to him (v. 16); he worships God differently. All ten are healed of leprosy but only one is wholly “made ... well” (v. 19) – for the Greek word bears with it the idea of rescue from impending destruction or from superior powers. Much earlier, Jesus has infuriated synagogue worshippers by recalling the story of Naaman, the foreigner healed of leprosy by Elisha. Then no Israelites were healed of the disease, only an alien. Now one whom Jews despised is saved. See 7:27 for cleansing of lepers being a sign of the coming of the Kingdom.
© 1996-2019 Chris Haslam

Verse 11: “On the way to Jerusalem”: Luke’s description of Jesus’ journey towards returning to the Father begins at 9:51: “When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem.”. Later, in 19:28, Luke writes: “After he had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem”. Jesus has entered a new stage in his career; he is on the last leg of his journey to God. [ CAB] [ NJBC]
Verse 11: “through the region between Samaria and Galilee”: The word translated “region” is meson (meaning middle). This verse illustrates Luke’s ignorance of the geography of Palestine. In 9:52, Jesus left Galilee and entered Samaria, so being on the way to Jerusalem, he cannot now be in Galilee. [ BlkLk] Perhaps he means an area where Jews came into contact with Samaritans.
Verse 12: In the Bible, leprosy is a skin disorder of uncertain nature. Several diseases were referred to by this name: see Leviticus 13:1-59; Numbers 5:1-4. Matthew 8:2 tells of a single leper coming to Jesus and saying: “‘Lord, if you choose, you can make me clean’”. [ NOAB]
Verse 13: “Master”: Peter calls Jesus “Master” in 5:58:459:33. In v. 6, Jesus has told his disciples: if you had the slightest faith (faith the size of a mustard seed), you could work miracles.
Verse 14: “‘Go and show yourselves to the priests”: Leviticus 13:2-3 commands: “When a person has on the skin of his body a swelling or an eruption or a spot, and it turns into a leprous disease on the skin of his body, he shall be brought to Aaron the priest or to one of his sons the priests. The priest shall examine the disease on the skin of his body, and if the hair in the diseased area has turned white and the disease appears to be deeper than the skin of his body, it is a leprous disease; after the priest has examined him he shall pronounce him ceremonially unclean”. See also Leviticus 13:49 and 14:2-32.
Verse 15: “saw”: i.e. understood what had happened. Not only does he see that he is healed; he sees too that he has found God and his salvation. He is converted. [ NJBC]
Verse 15: “praising God”: Luke’s favourite response to manifestation of divine power and mercy. See also 2:20 (the shepherds); 5:25 (a paralytic), 26 (the crowd); 7:16 (at the raising of the widow’s son); 13:13 (a woman who had been crippled); 18:43 (a blind beggar); 23:47 (the centurion at the Cross); Acts 4:2121:20. The Samaritan praises God for what Jesus, God’s agent, has done. [ NJBC]
Verse 16: “thanked him”: The word used for thank has connotations of proclaiming God’s forgiveness. While the word in the Greek is eucharistein, it appears that it has not yet acquired an exclusively liturgical connotation. It also occurs in a non-*eucharistic sense in John 11:41, and frequently in the Pauline epistles. [ BlkLk]
Verse 16: “Samaritan”: On the role of Samaritans in Luke/Acts, see also Luke 9:51-55 (the people of a Samaritan village “did not receive” Jesus); 10:33 (the Good Samaritan); Acts 8:4-25 (Philip proclaims the good news in Samaria). To Jews, Samaritans were considered unclean and were despised, both because of their ancestry (they had mixed blood, being the descendants of Jews left behind during the Exile and of Gentiles whom the Assyrians resettled in Israel) and because they had their own temple and a variant version of the Scriptures. [ NJBC]
Verse 17: “the other nine”: Presumably they were Jews. [ NOAB]
Verse 18: In 7:2-10, we read of the centurion whose slave is gravely ill. He says to Jesus: “only speak the word, and let my servant be healed”. Jesus then says to the crowd following him: “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith”.
Verse 18: “foreigner”: i.e. not a member of the Jewish community. [ CAB]
Verse 19: “your faith has made you well”: The same Greek word for made well is used in Matthew 9:21-22; Mark 5:23283410:52; Luke 8:36485018:42. See also Mark 11:23-24. [ NOAB]
For other miracles in Luke’s travel narrative, see 11:14 (curing the dumb man) and 13:10-17 (curing the long-crippled woman). See also 14:1-6 (curing a man with edema).
What was promised in 2 Kings 5:8-19a (the healing of Naaman, the Syrian commander) and repeated in 4:27 and 7:22 has come to fulfilment in Jesus: God’s salvation is for all peoples. [ NJBC]
© 1996-2019 Chris Haslam









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