Jesus' Command to the Healed Leper in Luke 5:14
After Jesus healed a man "full of leprosy" (Luke 5:12), he gave him specific instructions: "“Do not tell anyone,” Jesus instructed him. “But go, show yourself to the priest and present the offering Moses prescribed for your cleansing, as a testimony to them”" (Luke 5:14 BSB) [1]. This command, following an act of miraculous healing, highlights Jesus' respect for Mosaic Law and his strategic approach to his public ministry.
The immediate context of Luke 5:14 is Jesus' healing of a leper, an event also recorded in Matthew 8:2-4 and Mark 1:40-45 [5, 8]. Luke describes the man as "full of leprosy," indicating a severe case of the disease [5]. Jesus' willingness to touch the leper, despite the ceremonial uncleanness associated with the condition, demonstrates his compassion and signals a new order in the Kingdom of God where healing and salvation overcome ritual barriers [3, 9]. The touch itself was significant; most people feared catching the disease through physical contact [9].
Leprosy, known in Hebrew as tsara'ath, was considered a "smiting" or "stroke," often viewed as a direct divine affliction [2]. The Greek term lepra refers to the scaliness characteristic of the disease [2]. Leviticus 13 and 14 detail the regulations concerning leprosy, including various circumstances under which it might develop and the procedures for diagnosis and cleansing [2, 6]. A person with leprosy was separated from social contact and religious practice, making Jesus' act of healing both physically and spiritually significant [9].
Jesus' command to "Do not tell anyone" (Luke 5:14) is often interpreted as part of what scholars call the "Messianic Secret" [4]. This instruction aimed to prevent Jesus from gaining celebrity status or being misunderstood as merely a miracle worker, which could hinder his broader mission [4]. Despite these instructions, news of such events often spread rapidly [4].
The second part of Jesus' command, "But go, show yourself to the priest and present the offering Moses prescribed for your cleansing" (Luke 5:14), underscores Jesus' adherence to the Mosaic Law [1]. According to Leviticus 14:2-32, a person healed of leprosy had to be examined by a priest, who would then declare them clean [6]. This declaration was crucial for the individual's reintegration into society and religious life [4]. The prescribed offering, typically two birds, cedar wood, scarlet yarn, and hyssop, followed by a lamb, ewe lamb, and grain offering, was a necessary part of the cleansing ritual [6]. By sending the healed man to the priest, Jesus affirmed the validity of the Law and ensured the man's full restoration [10].
The phrase "as a testimony to them" (Luke 5:14) has several layers of meaning [1]. It could serve as a public testimony to the religious leaders, demonstrating that Jesus was not against the Law of Moses [10]. It also provided undeniable proof of the healing, as the priests were the official arbiters of such matters [4]. For the priests, it would be a testimony to the power of God at work through Jesus, potentially challenging their skepticism or unbelief [10]. In another instance, when Jesus healed ten lepers, he similarly instructed them to "Go show yourselves to the priests," requiring faith to obey before the healing was fully manifest [6].
Matthew Henry, a Nonconformist commentator, notes that the leper in this account was "full of leprosy," which he sees as a fitting representation of humanity's "natural pollution by sin" [5]. He emphasizes the leper's humility and faith in approaching Jesus, believing in his power to heal [7]. Adam Clarke, a Methodist commentator, highlights the leper's earnestness and humility in seeking a cure, appealing to Jesus' love and power [8].
The act of healing and the subsequent command reveal Jesus' multifaceted approach to his ministry. He demonstrates divine authority over disease, compassion for the outcast, and respect for established religious protocols. The instruction to go to the priest was not merely a formality but a crucial step for the leper's social and religious re-entry, and a public affirmation of Jesus' alignment with God's Law, even as he inaugurated a new covenant.
Sources
- Luke “Luke 5:14 (BSB) — “Do not tell anyone,” Jesus instructed him. “But go, show yourself to the priest and present the offering Moses prescribed for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.””
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Leprosy — (Heb. tsara'ath, a "smiting," a "stroke," because the disease was regarded as a direct providential infliction). This name is from the Greek lepra, by which the Greek physicians designated the disease from its scaliness. We have the description of the disease, as well as the regulations connected with it, in Lev. 13; 14; Num. 12:10-15, etc. There were reckoned six different circumstances under which it might develop itself, (1) without any apparent cause (Lev. 13:2-8); (2) its reappearance (9-17); (3) from an inflammation (18-28); (4) on the head or chin (2”
- Mark (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Mark 1:41: 1:41 Jesus’ willingness to touch a ceremonially unclean leper reflects the new order of the Kingdom of God (1:15; 5:25-34; Luke 7:36-50; see Matt 10:8; 11:5).”
- Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 5:14: 5:14 Jesus often told those he healed not to tell anyone what had happened to avoid celebrity status. Nonetheless, news of these events spreads like wildfire (see 5:15-16; see also “The Secret of the Messiah” Theme Note). • Go to the priest and let him examine you. . . . the offering: Those healed of leprosy had to be declared clean by a priest, and a sacrifice was offered on their behalf.”
- Luke (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Luke 5:12: Here is, I. The cleansing of a leper, Luk 5:12-14. This narrative we had both in Matthew and Mark. It is here said to have been in a certain city (Luk 5:12); it was in Capernaum, but the evangelist would not name it, perhaps because it was a reflection upon the government of the city that a leper was suffered to be in it. This man is said to be full of leprosy; he had that distemper in a high degree, which the more fitly represents our natural pollution by sin; we are full of that leprosy, from the crown of the head to the sole of the foot there is no soundness in u”
- Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 17:14: 17:14 Go show yourselves to the priests: Leviticus 14:2-32 sets out guidelines for priests to use in diagnosing leprosy and pronouncing a leper clean (see study notes on Luke 5:12, 14). • as they went: To leave without yet being healed required faith, which Jesus was testing (cp. 2 Kgs 5:9-14).”
- Mark (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Mark 1:40: We have here the story of Christ's cleansing a leper, which we had before, Mat 8:2-4. It teaches us, 1. How to apply ourselves to Christ; come as this leper did, (1.) With great humility; this leper came beseeching him, and kneeling down to him (Mar 1:40); whether giving divine honour to him as God, or rather a less degree of respect as a great Prophet, it teaches us that those who would receive grace and mercy from Christ, must ascribe honour and glory to Christ, and approach to him with humility and reverence. (2.) With a firm belief of his power; Thou canst make ”
- Mark (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Mark 1:40: There came a leper - See the notes on Mat 8:2, etc. Should any be inclined to preach on this cleansing of the leper, Mark is the best evangelist to take the account from, because he is more circumstantial than either Matthew or Luke. I. Consider this leper. 1. He heard of Jesus and his miracles. 2. He came to him for a cure, conscious of his disease. 3. He earnestly besought him to grant the mercy he needed. 4. He fell down on his knees, (with his face to the earth, Luk 5:12), thus showing his humbled state, and the distress of his soul. 5. He appealed to his love - i”
- Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 5:13: 5:13 Jesus reached out and touched him: Most people feared catching the disease through physical contact, but Jesus showed compassion. Jesus was not contaminated by disease or evil, but brought healing and salvation. • Be healed: Literally Be cleansed. This act had spiritual and physical significance, since leprosy separated Israelites from social contact and religious practice.”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 8:4: 8:4 The leper’s healing would be a public testimony—either that the religious leaders were wrong not to trust in the Messiah (10:18) or that Jesus was not against the law of Moses (5:17).”