Question 1

What is the significance of the man being full of leprosy in this passage?

Accepted Answer

The man is described as “full of leprosy” to show how serious and advanced his disease was. Leprosy was not just a skin problem; it cut a person off from worship and community and made them live as unclean. Saying he was “full” of it paints a picture of someone completely overwhelmed by sickness and shame. This helps us see how desperate he was when he came to Jesus, and it also pictures how deeply sin affects us. If Jesus can cleanse someone that far gone, no one is beyond his reach.

Question 2

Why did the leper say, “Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean”?

Accepted Answer

The leper’s words show both faith and humility. He is sure about Jesus’ power, so he says, “thou canst make me clean.” He does not doubt that Jesus is able. At the same time, he leaves the decision to Jesus when he says, “if thou wilt.” He does not demand or argue; he throws himself on Jesus’ kindness. This is a good picture of how to come to Christ about our sin: trusting he can cleanse us, yet submitting to his wise and good will.

Question 3

Why did Jesus touch the leper and say, “I will: be thou clean”?

Accepted Answer

Jesus did not have to touch the man to heal him, but he chose to. Touching a leper went against everything people were used to, because lepers were avoided as unclean. By putting out his hand, Jesus showed deep compassion and that he is not defiled by uncleanness but overcomes it. When he says, “I will: be thou clean,” he shows that he is both willing and able to cleanse. The leprosy leaves at once, proving his authority over both disease and the uncleanness it pictured.

Question 4

Why did Jesus tell the healed man to tell no one but go to the priest?

Accepted Answer

Jesus told the man not to spread the story but to follow what the law of Moses commanded: show himself to the priest and offer the sacrifice for cleansing. This did at least two things. First, it kept the man from boasting in himself and pointed his thanks toward God. Second, it provided an official witness that he was truly clean, “for a testimony unto them.” The priests, who knew the law, would see that a work only God could do had been done through Jesus.

Question 5

What does it mean that leprosy pictures sin in this passage?

Accepted Answer

Leprosy in this story helps us understand what sin is like. Leprosy made a person filthy, spread through the body, and cut them off from other people and worship. Sin does something similar in the soul. It defiles, spreads, and brings ruin. Just as the leper could not heal himself or clean his own uncleanness, we cannot fix our sin problem by our own efforts or by the law. The way the leper comes to Jesus shows how we should come for spiritual cleansing: needy, honest, and trusting his power.

Question 6

Why did Jesus’ fame spread even though he charged the man to tell no one?

Accepted Answer

Even though Jesus told the man to keep quiet, the change in him was so clear that people could not help noticing and talking. A man once full of leprosy was now completely clean. News like that spreads fast. Also, Jesus kept teaching and healing many others, so word about him kept going out. This shows that Jesus was not trying to build his name through showy publicity, yet his mercy and power naturally drew great crowds who came to hear him and to be healed.

Question 7

Why did Jesus withdraw into the wilderness to pray after healing and teaching?

Accepted Answer

After many people came to hear him and be healed, Jesus withdrew into lonely places to pray. He loved to help people, but he also kept close fellowship with his Father. His time in prayer was not a luxury; it was part of his mission. By doing this, he gives us an example. Even when there is much to do, we need quiet times with God, away from distraction and from seeking human praise. Jesus’ pattern shows that public work for God and private prayer should go together, not replace each other.

Question 8

What does this passage teach about how Jesus deals with sinners today?

Accepted Answer

This passage shows that Jesus does not turn away those who come to him in their uncleanness. The leper was avoided by others, yet Jesus welcomed him, listened, and touched him. The man did not clean himself up first; he came as he was, believing Jesus could cleanse him. In the same way, people today should not wait until they feel better or “good enough.” We come with our sin, shame, and weakness, ask for cleansing, submit to his will, and trust that his word is enough to make us clean.

Question 9

How can I apply the example of the leper’s faith and Jesus’ response to my life?

Accepted Answer

You can follow the leper’s example by being honest about your need, humbling yourself before Jesus, and trusting his power to cleanse you from sin. Pray simply and earnestly, like the leper did, and leave the outcome in Jesus’ hands. At the same time, learn from Jesus’ response: he was both willing and able to help. Let that encourage you not to stay at a distance in shame. Come to him with your uncleanness, obey what he commands, and keep a rhythm of serving others and seeking God in prayer.

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.

The Leper’s Prayer

Cross References

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.

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The Leper’s Prayer

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