IS THERE A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BEING CLEANSED AND BEING MADE WHOLE?

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Many Christians believe that the word translated “whole” in Luke 17:19 KJV refers to both physical and spiritual healing and that the nine lepers  in the chapter received only physical healing because they did not return to give thanks to Jesus where as the leper that returned to give thanks to Jesus received both physical and spiritual healing. They believe all the lepers were cleansed but the one that returned to Jesus got something extra which is that he was made whole (i.e his limbs which may have been lost or deformed as a result of the leprosy were restored or that he got salvation for his soul). Though this may be true, there's however a more likely possibility that the leper did not get something more than the rest of the nine. Let's first read the story:

(Luke 17:12-19 KJV) And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.

The Greek word that is translated as “cleansed” is καθαρίζω (katharizó). It simply means to cleanse, make clean, literally, ceremonially, or spiritually, according to context” It was a term often used to refer to a leper who was healed and no longer had the disease.

The Greek word that is translated as “whole” is sesoken. It simply means to save, heal, cure, preserve, rescue, make well.

In this context, Jesus used the word “cleansed” to refer to healing from leprosy, and the word “whole” should be understood in this context as “cure.” Both words refer to the same event however “cleansed” is used in a more technical sense

In saying, "Thy faith has made thee whole", Jesus repeated a truism that He often said to many that He healed. He often make this statement for the understanding of those He healed and for those around them that they were healed by their faith. It does not necessarily mean he gave this leper something extra or in addition. If that's the case it is also reasonable to assume that all the people He proclaimed this statement in the verses below, also received salvation for their soul and/ or restoration of their limbs:

(Matthew 9:22 KJV) But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.

(Mark 10:52 KJV) And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way. 

It is worthy of note that there is no record of thankfulness given by any of these people in the two verses above, yet they were made whole.

In our main story, notice that the other nine had faith too! They all believed. All ten men went to Jesus in faith, believing that He could heal them. The fact that they followed His instruction to show themselves to the priest, demonstrated their faith.

In the story, the issue was not about faith. It was lack of appreciation.


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