Barton's Bible Study Notes

Life of Christ: Unit 35 - Sections 126-129

Read Luke 17:11-19. Following the raising of Lazarus from the dead, Jesus retreated from Jerusalem, avoiding conflict with the religious leaders for the time being. But since the Passover was near, He began His journey back to this city where He would be betrayed and die. This encounter with the ten lepers is difficult to place chronologically and might easily have occurred on an earlier trip to Jerusalem. It is included, however, on this trip. On His way, He is met by a group of lepers. These were outcasts from society, and the group was probably composed of both Jews and at least one Samaritan. Note that Jesus tells them to go to the priests. If these were only Samaritans, He likely would not have commanded them to do this. Jesus also notes that only one returned, the foreigner, implying that some of the others, at least, were not foreigners but Jewish.

1. What was their request?

2. What did Jesus tell them to do?

3. What was the significance of this command?

4. When were they healed?

5. How many returned to Jesus?

6. What did Jesus ask when this one returned to thank Him?

Read Luke 18:1-14. The questions asked by the Pharisees, our Lord’s answer and His discourses to the disciples might well have occurred at various times. Luke places them here since they are all related to the subject of the coming Kingdom. Jesus gives His disciples who are looking for the Kingdom two parables about prayer. He probably does this because He knows in the coming days, they will need to pray often and long, with seemingly no answers.

7. What answer did Jesus give to the Pharisees as to when the Kingdom of God was coming?

8. What do you think He meant by this?

9. What did Jesus tell His disciples that must happen first before the Kingdom comes?

10. Jesus compares the coming of the Kingdom (The visible outward coming) with two other periods in history. What are they?

11. What is Jesus trying to tell His disciples with these two comparisons?

12. What do you think He means when He says one will be taken and one left?

13. Summarize the two parables.

The Applications:

What are the applications of these passages to our lives today? Identify as many as you are able.