When Jesus wanted to enter a village, ten men who were unclean because of a skin disease they had, came toward him. They are designated as leproi, lepers.
This Greek word brings back memories of the leprosy illness. Yet, it is better to think here of a lengthy, and ugly skin disease which, especially with children, is very contagious. In Leviticus 13:45–46 we read that the Lord said to Moses, The leprous person who has the disease shall wear torn clothes and let the hair of his head hang loose, and he shall cover his upper lip and cry out, Unclean, unclean. He shall remain unclean as long as he has the disease. He is unclean. He shall live alone. His dwelling shall be outside the camp.
This was God’s ordinance during the journey through the desert after they were freed from Egypt and travelled to the Promised Land. This rule was also applied in later years.
So, these ten men knew their place. They remain at a distance, but they are hopeful. For after all, Jesus has healed people such as them (Luke 5:12–13; Luke 7:22). Who knows what can happen to them?
12 And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance