In the first century Jewish mind, Jewish lives mattered but Samaritan lives did not matter nearly so much. After all the Jews saw themselves as superior to Samaritans. When Jesus healed the ten lepers, only one bowed before Him in worship and gratitude and it was not one of the Jews among the ten; it was a Samaritan. This “inferior” soul turned out to have a more genuine heart of gratitude and worship than did his fellow lepers. Luke’s account of this miracle is seeking to show how worship breaks through racial stereotypes; it was Jesus who noted it.
14 When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. 15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; 16 and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. 17 Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? 18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.” Luke 17:14–19 (ESV)
