Ingratitude to God is a recurring theme in the Bible, often highlighted through various narratives and teachings. One of the most poignant examples of ingratitude is found in the account of the ten lepers healed by Jesus, as recorded in the Gospel of Luke. This account not only underscores the miraculous power of Jesus but also serves as a moral lesson on the importance of gratitude towards God.

Biblical Account

The narrative of the ten lepers is found in Luke 17:11-19. As Jesus was traveling along the border between Samaria and Galilee, He encountered ten men afflicted with leprosy. Standing at a distance, they raised their voices, saying, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!" (Luke 17:13). Recognizing their plight, Jesus instructed them to go and show themselves to the priests, a directive in accordance with the Law of Moses for those seeking to be declared clean (Leviticus 14:2-32).

As they went, they were cleansed of their leprosy. However, only one of the ten, upon realizing he was healed, returned to Jesus, glorifying God with a loud voice. He fell at Jesus' feet, giving Him thanks. Notably, this man was a Samaritan, a detail that emphasizes the unexpected nature of his gratitude, given the historical animosity between Jews and Samaritans (Luke 17:15-16).

Jesus' Response

Jesus' response to the Samaritan's gratitude is telling. He asked, "Were not all ten cleansed? Where then are the other nine? Was no one found except this foreigner to return and give glory to God?" (Luke 17:17-18). This rhetorical question highlights the ingratitude of the other nine lepers, who, despite receiving the same miraculous healing, failed to return and express their thanks to God.

Theological Implications

The account of the ten lepers serves as a powerful illustration of human ingratitude towards divine grace. It underscores the expectation that those who receive God's blessings should respond with thankfulness. The fact that only a Samaritan returned to give thanks further emphasizes the universality of God's grace and the call for all people, regardless of their background, to acknowledge and glorify God.

In the broader biblical context, ingratitude is often associated with a lack of faith and understanding of God's nature. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Romans, describes a fallen humanity that "neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him" (Romans 1:21). This ingratitude is seen as a precursor to a host of other sins and a departure from God's intended relationship with humanity.

Practical Application

For believers, the account of the ten lepers serves as a reminder to cultivate a heart of gratitude. It challenges individuals to recognize and acknowledge God's work in their lives, both in extraordinary miracles and in the everyday blessings. The account encourages believers to not only receive God's gifts but to actively return thanks, thereby deepening their relationship with Him and bearing witness to His goodness.

In summary, the account of the ten lepers is a vivid biblical illustration of ingratitude to God. It calls believers to reflect on their own responses to God's grace and to strive for a life marked by thankfulness and praise.Luke 17:17,18
And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Journey Continued through Samaria. (Luke, xvii. , 11, Seq. ) ...
... (Luke, ix., 54.)"Ingratitude of Nine ... Not daring, as lepers, to approach the Saviour,
they stood afar off ... came back to thank Christ, and in him God, for the ...
/.../section 222 journey continued through.htm

The Ten Lepers
... without a word of thanks to God, or even ... What stupidity, hardhearted- ness, ingratitude
of those nine, never to ... Yet those nine lepers were men of like passions ...
/.../kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon xxviii the ten lepers.htm

Journey to Jerusalem. Ten Lepers. Concerning the Kingdom.
... made strong by health and gratitude] glorifying God; 16 and ... Apparently nine of the
lepers were Jews ... Lord publicly noted the indifference and ingratitude of the ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xcv journey to jerusalem ten.htm

One of Ten Lepers Cured is Grateful
... but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God,
save this stranger. ... The ingratitude of the nine lepers no doubt added to ...
/.../newton/the life of jesus christ for the young/one of ten lepers cured.htm

On the Journey to Jerusalem - Departure from Ephraim by Way of ...
... years, it cannot seem strange that lepers should apply ... rather, to their own relation
as Israel to God? ... probable, was it simply Jewish ingratitude and neglect ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xxii on the journey.htm

Where are the Nine?
... Jesus seems to have gone near to the lepers, for it ... live after their death when we
bless God and thank ... more than we dishonour Him by the ingratitude which is ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/where are the nine.htm

Thankfulness for Mercies Received, a Necessary Duty
... The account given us of the ungrateful lepers, is but too lively a representation
of the ingratitude of mankind ... can be found "returning to give thanks to God.". ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/thankfulness for mercies received a.htm

The Suffering Servant-I
... may rather be that He hides His face, as lepers had to do. ... as none else has ever
experienced, man's ingratitude, and, therefore, though God, even His ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the suffering servant-i.htm

Concerning the Neglect of the Commemoration.
... of His mercy He had cleansed ten lepers, said that ... dearly-beloved, that this brand
of ingratitude may not ... but to the unspeakable mercy of Almighty God, Who has ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/sermon lxxxiv concerning the.htm

The Touch of Faith
... When the ten lepers came to Jesus for healing, He bade them go and show ... By their
ingratitude they close their hearts against the grace of God. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 36 the touch of.htm

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