Jesus Cleanses a Leper (Luke 5:12-16)
Jesus Cleanses a Leper (Luke 5:12–16)
The story of Jesus cleansing the leper in Luke 5:12–16 is a powerful witness to Jesus’ willingness to restore not just physical health, but dignity and connection to community. This passage is especially poignant when we consider the stigma surrounding leprosy in ancient times and even today.
The infirmary at Carville Leprosarium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana was established in 1894 as a treatment and quarantine center for people with Hansen’s diseasse (leprosy). It became a leading institution for leprosy research, offering compassionate care and advancing understanding of the disease, while its residents lived largely isolated from society due to stigma. It closed in 1999.
Verse-by-Verse Breakdown of Luke 5:12-16 with Commentary
Luke 5:12: The Desperate Plea
“Once, when he was in one of the cities, there was a man covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he bowed with his face to the ground and begged him, ‘Lord, if you choose, you can make me clean.’”
The man’s condition is described as advanced—he was “covered with leprosy.” Leprosy in biblical times included various skin diseases, some highly contagious and others more benign. Lepers were often outcasts, forced to live in isolation and declare themselves unclean wherever they went (Leviticus 13:45–46). This man’s plea shows his faith in Jesus’ ability to heal. He doesn’t demand healing but acknowledges Jesus’ authority to choose whether or not to act.
Luke 5:13: Jesus Touches the Leper
“Then Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, ‘I do choose. Be made clean.’ Immediately the leprosy left him.”
This verse is extraordinary because Jesus touches the leper. Touching someone with leprosy made a person ritually unclean according to Jewish law. But Jesus, instead of becoming unclean, reverses the impurity, restoring the man instantly. His words, “I do choose,” reveal the heart of his ministry—he chooses to heal and restore.
When Jesus was baptized he voluntarily identified with us. When Jesus died on the cross, it was voluntary. Here, Jesus once again willingly connects (literally, physically) with those who need him most!
Here are other passages in which Jesus touches and reverses the impurity/curse:
Healing the Woman with the Issue of Blood (Mark 5:25–34, Luke 8:43–48)
According to Jewish law, her condition would have rendered her perpetually unclean (Leviticus 15:25–27). Yet when she touches Jesus’ garment, she is healed, and Jesus commends her faith rather than reprimanding her.
Raising Jairus’ Daughter (Mark 5:41, Luke 8:54)
Touching a dead body would have made Jesus unclean (Numbers 19:11–13), but instead, his touch restores life to the girl.
The Raising of the Widow's Son (Luke 7:11-17)
The widow's son is lying on the bier, a stretcher carrying the body. Then "He came forward and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, 'Young man, I say to you, rise!'"
Luke 5:14: Observing the Law
“And he ordered him to tell no one. ‘Go,’ he said, ‘and show yourself to the priest, and, as Moses commanded, make an offering for your cleansing, for a testimony to them.’”
Jesus instructs the man to follow the Mosaic Law (Leviticus 14:2–32), which required a priest to verify the healing and offer sacrifices. This step wasn’t just about ritual; it was the official process for reintegrating into society. By doing this, Jesus demonstrates respect for the law while making a statement about his authority to heal.
This brings up an important point: Jesus' healings and miracles often restore wholeness to a person and not just health. Jesus is initiating the restorative process for the man, getting him back to his family, community, and faith community.
Luke 5:15: The Spread of Jesus’ Fame
“But now more than ever the word about him spread abroad; many crowds would gather to hear him and to be cured of their diseases.”
Despite Jesus’ instruction to keep quiet, the news spreads. People are drawn to his compassion and power.
The leper’s transformation wasn’t just physical—it was a restoration of his humanity. Stories like this resonated deeply in a culture where illness often meant social death. Though not dead, this might as well have been a resurrection, a return from the lonely hinterlands of isolation.
Luke 5:16: Seeking Solitude
“But he would withdraw to deserted places and pray.”
Amid the growing crowds and demands, Jesus often sought solitude to pray. This rhythm of ministry and retreat reveals the importance of staying connected to God. It’s a reminder for us to seek renewal and strength in quiet moments of reflection and prayer.
Remember, the temptation by the devil while Jesus was in the wilderness was, "Jump off the high ledge and God will protect you!" and, "Seek fame at all costs!"
Jesus could have been tempted to overwork, to get wrapped up in the activity of ministry, not rest, and do more and more to cause his fame to rise. Yet, he remained connected to God and did not succumb to what many in ministry fall prey to - overwork, anxiety, and progress at all costs.
Leprosy in Modern Times
Though we often think of leprosy as a disease of the past, it still exists today. Now known as Hansen’s disease, it is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae. Modern medicine can cure it with antibiotics, but stigma remains in some parts of the world. In the United States, there’s even a leprosy colony on the outskirts of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, called the Carville Historic District. It housed patients from the late 19th century until the mid-1990s. The facility not only treated patients but worked to reduce stigma and educate the public. I first read about the Carville Historic District in the early 1990s in an article published by the Oxford American while I was living in Mississippi.
Leprosy varies widely in its effects, ranging from mild skin lesions to severe nerve damage and disfigurement. In many ways, the disease symbolizes the separation and alienation caused by sin, making Jesus’ healing all the more significant.
We should not take for granted human touch and the ability to be with one another freely. Leprosy robbed so many people of health and human connections.
Leprosy in Scripture
Leprosy is mentioned frequently in both the Old and New Testaments, often as a physical condition with spiritual implications. Here are some notable references:
Leprosy in the Old Testament
Leviticus 13–14: Detailed laws about diagnosing and purifying leprosy.
Numbers 12:10–15: Miriam is struck with leprosy for opposing Moses and is healed after seven days outside the camp.
2 Kings 5: Naaman, a Syrian general, is healed of leprosy after following Elisha’s instructions to wash in the Jordan River.
2 Kings 7:3–11: Four lepers discover the abandoned Aramean camp during a famine.
2 Chronicles 26:19–21: King Uzziah is struck with leprosy after disobeying God by burning incense in the temple.
Leprosy in the New Testament
Matthew 8:1–4: The parallel account of the leper cleansed by Jesus.
Mark 1:40–45: Another account of this healing, emphasizing Jesus’ compassion.
Luke 17:11–19: Jesus heals ten lepers, but only one—a Samaritan—returns to thank him.
Reflection
This story is about more than physical healing. It’s about Jesus’ willingness to reach into our brokenness and restore us. The leper’s bold faith and Jesus’ compassionate touch challenge us to consider how we approach God in our own need. Do we, like the leper, come with faith that he is able to make us clean?
It also reminds us of the importance of welcoming the outcast. In a world where illness, sin, or circumstance often isolate people, Jesus shows us how to extend love and dignity. Whether through prayer, action, or advocacy, we are called to bring the hope of restoration to others.
