Luke 5:12-16
Jesus Cleanses a Leper
Read the passage
12While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell facedown and begged Him, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.”
13Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” He said. “Be clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him.
14“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.”
15But the news about Jesus spread all the more, and great crowds came to hear Him and to be healed of their sicknesses.
16Yet He frequently withdrew to the wilderness to pray.
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
A man covered with leprosy sees Jesus and falls on his face. He asks, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” He does not doubt Jesus' ability, but he does not presume upon Jesus' will.
Jesus stretches out His hand and touches him. He says, “I am willing,” and then, “Be clean!” Immediately the leprosy leaves the man. Jesus tells him to show himself to the priest and offer the sacrifice Moses commanded as a testimony to them.
News about Jesus spreads even farther, and great crowds gather to hear Him and be healed of their diseases. Yet Jesus often withdraws to desolate places and prays. The growing demand does not remove prayer from his life.
The touch matters. Jesus reaches toward the man who has fallen before him. He restores him with word, touch, and a path back into the community's recognized life.
Questions
1 What does the man ask Jesus to do?
AnswerHe asks Jesus to make him clean, trusting that Jesus has the power to do so while submitting the outcome to His will.
2 How does Jesus respond physically?
AnswerJesus stretches out His hand and touches the man before declaring him clean. The touch communicates welcome as well as healing.
3 What does Jesus tell the man to do afterward?
AnswerHe tells him to show himself to the priest and offer the commanded sacrifice as a public testimony.
4 What does Jesus continue doing as the crowds grow?
AnswerHe frequently withdraws to the wilderness to pray. Luke places that habit beside his teaching and healing rather than treating it as something success makes unnecessary.
What This Means for Us
The passage never treats the sick man as a problem to manage. Jesus sees a person, responds with mercy, and helps him return to ordinary community life.
Families can imitate that attention by learning what isolation illness, disability, or stigma creates and by offering practical welcome. Prayer for healing should be joined with care that does not make a suffering person prove spiritual worth.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, You are willing to touch those others avoid. Give our household compassion without fear, wisdom in responding to illness, and a welcome that restores dignity rather than adding shame. Amen.