Samaritans, Jesus, and the Question of Leprosy in the Bible

What we today call leprosy (Hansen’s Disease) is almost certainly *not* the disease translated as “leprosy” in almost all English translations. Why? Also, if the Samaritans studied the Torah, expected the Messiah, and once had a temple to Yahweh, how far separated were they from the Jews in the 1st century? What archaeological discovery from the Jerusalem temple provides a connection with what Jesus calls the Samaritan in Luke 17? In this week’s Reading the Gospels through Hebrew Eyes, Chad Bird tackles these questions and more.

[mabelchiu]

I really appreciate your teaching. Dig so deep into his words that I ever thought of. Thank you!

[brunet]

And prayers of peace for you and your family and to my family as we mourn the loss of our sons.

[terrytaerum]

I particularly like the way you use the Samaritan's worship as an example where Jesus, as God, tabernacles among us. A person also has to ponder what Jewish priests would think of a Samaritan (foreigner) coming to be declared "clean" - particularly on the eighth day where oil and lamb sacrifice are prescribed for a right ear, right thumb, and right toe anointing.

[mjryan]

Great work man continue what you're doing love the way you break it down for the most simplest brain capacity complexes out there including sometimes myself

[arlo_vr]

Thank you Chad for this informative and fascinating explanation, just brilliant on so many levels.

This account also seems to be another instance where Jesus is cast in a priestly light to convey that He is the fulfilment of the OT Temple/priest - we see the the OT parallels to Temple/priestly actions, holiness, ritual cleansing, healing and the giving of praise.

I also appreciated your comments on the layers of separation within the Temple precinct (with its important OT origin), and how this account shows that Jesus is dismantling those barriers, because now it is he who makes us holy as we encounter and enter His presence (refer 'contagious holiness' as per C. Blomberg).

[ELMohel]

Simply Amazing! Your citing of others to exemplify this, the most glossed over passage with absolute clarity.
Thank you.
Peace, Health, and Life to you.

[brunet]

Glad to hear your sharing of the peace with us this week. As always I find your words deepening my understanding of the totality of the Bible. Last week I asked in the comments about listening on your walks. Where do you find your listening material. Or rather where can I find it? The listening complements the reading.

[leewilliams]

Thi is very helpful! Thank you for putting this together. I have a question about Alter’s observation of the unanswered question(s): does this literary device have a name? If you have any reference to how a Hebrew grammar would define this kind of interrogative discourse would be greatly appreciated! Thank you again for the thoroughness of your presentation.

[timessquare]

Would the temple court area with the warning sign have been the same area where Jesus turned over the tabes? If so, how does that episode inform the themes of foreigner and location in this passage?