1975
But Where Are the Nine?
November 1975


“But Where Are the Nine?” Friend, Nov. 1975, 38

“But Where Are the Nine?”

(Luke 17:11–19)

On His way to Jerusalem Jesus passed through the lands of Galilee and Samaria, teaching as He went. One day as He approached the outskirts of a certain village, He met ten men who were lepers (persons having leprosy, a disease that disfigures the skin and body) who had been sent away from their families and friends because they were thought to be “unclean.” The townspeople also mistakenly supposed that leprosy was a very contagious disease.

The men saw the Savior coming and they called to Him, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” It hurt Jesus to see that the men had been so poorly treated because of their affliction, and He wanted to help them.

“Go [show] yourselves unto the priests,” Jesus told them. “And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed [or cured].”

When one of the men, a Samaritan, saw how miraculously his body had been healed, he turned back toward Jesus and shouted his praises to Heavenly Father for his recovery. Then the man came to kneel down at the feet of the Savior, and, with a bowed head, thanked Him sincerely for this miracle.

Jesus asked the Samaritan, “Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?” Jesus was sad that only one out of the ten who were healed remembered to thank Heavenly Father for His mercy. However, Jesus was glad that the Samaritan understood the blessing and expressed his gratitude. He said to him kindly, “Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole [well].”

© Photos courtesy Providence Lithograph Co.