Luke 5:12 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →A man covered with leprosy falls on his face before Jesus and pleads: if you are willing, you can make me clean.
What Does Luke 5:12 Mean?
In one of the towns, a man 'full of leprosy' — Luke, the careful observer, notes its advanced stage — sees Jesus. Leprosy did not only attack the body; under the law it exiled a person from home, worship, and every human touch (Leviticus 13:45-46). He falls on his face and begs to be made clean, not merely cured.
His prayer remains a model of bold humility: 'if thou wilt, thou canst.' He has no doubt at all about Christ's power and no presumption about Christ's will. Faith speaks both halves — utter confidence in what the Lord is able to do, full surrender about what the Lord chooses to do. Such a prayer can be laid before God from any depth of need.
Luke 5:12 in the Original Language
katharizo (καθαρίζω), 'make clean' -- to cleanse from defilement as well as from disease.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luke 5:12
What does Luke 5:12 mean?
A man covered with leprosy falls on his face before Jesus and pleads: if you are willing, you can make me clean.