Luke 5:12
And it came to pass, when he was in a certain city, behold a man full of leprosy: who seeing Jesus fell on his face, and besought him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 31
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐγένετο
it came to pass
G1096
ἐγένετο
it came to pass
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
2 of 31
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτοῦ
him
G846
αὐτοῦ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
6 of 31
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
11 of 31
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
16 of 31
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἰδὼν
seeing
G1492
ἰδὼν
seeing
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
17 of 31
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦν
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦν
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
19 of 31
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
ἐπὶ
on
G1909
ἐπὶ
on
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
21 of 31
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
πρόσωπον
his face
G4383
πρόσωπον
his face
Strong's:
G4383
Word #:
22 of 31
the front (as being towards view), i.e., the countenance, aspect, appearance, surface; by implication, presence, person
αὐτοῦ
him
G846
αὐτοῦ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
24 of 31
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
λέγων,
saying
G3004
λέγων,
saying
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
25 of 31
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
Κύριε
Lord
G2962
Κύριε
Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
26 of 31
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
ἐὰν
if
G1437
ἐὰν
if
Strong's:
G1437
Word #:
27 of 31
a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty
Cross References
Psalms 50:15And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.Luke 17:16And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.Matthew 9:28And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord.Hebrews 7:25Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.Psalms 91:15He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.Exodus 4:6And the LORD said furthermore unto him, Put now thine hand into thy bosom. And he put his hand into his bosom: and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous as snow.Matthew 26:6Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper,Genesis 18:14Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.
Historical Context
Leprosy covered various skin diseases rendered sufferer ceremonially unclean required isolation from community. Leviticus 13-14 detailed regulations quarantine. Lepers lived outside towns shouted Unclean when approached. Physical suffering compounded by social isolation religious exclusion. No cure existed. Priest could only certify if leprosy gone. This leper violating protocol by approaching Jesus in town demonstrates desperate faith. His if thou wilt not doubt about power but appropriate humility acknowledging Jesus sovereignty. Ancient world saw disease as divine punishment. Healing miracles demonstrated kingdom breaking in restoring not just bodies but social religious status. Early church continued healing ministry.
Questions for Reflection
- What does lepers faith doubting not Jesus power but willingness teach about proper prayer?
- How does Jesus healing restoring social and religious status not just physical health demonstrate kingdom wholeness?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Man full of leprosy fell on face besought him saying Lord if thou wilt thou canst make me clean. Full of leprosy advanced stage worst possible case. Fell on face prostration worship desperation. Besought deomai earnestly begged. Lord kurios acknowledges authority divinity. If thou wilt recognizes Jesus sovereignty not demanding presuming. Thou canst expresses faith in Jesus power ability. Make me clean kathairizō ceremonially and physically cleanse. Leprosy rendered person unclean excluded from worship community normal life. Leper faith is remarkable trusts Jesus despite hopeless condition. He does not doubt Jesus ability only questions willingness. Reformed theology emphasizes both divine sovereignty and human responsibility prayer. We ask acknowledging God sovereignty over outcomes trusting His character wisdom. Jesus does not always heal physically but always acts in love wisdom for His glory our ultimate good.