The Roman Catholic inference from this verse, that our Lord intended there should he a Christian priesthood, and that sinners deriving spiritual relief were always meant to go to a ptiest, is utterly baseless. There is nothing whatever in the verse to warrant it. So long as the ceremonial law lasted, and the Levitical priesthood continued, all its requirements were to be observed. The veil was not yet rent. The true sacrifice was not yet offered. The Old Testament dispensation had not yet passed away. In commanding lerpers to go to the priests, our Lord simply declared His respect for the ceremonial law, so long as it lasted.
1 5 . — [ One of them, . . turned hcmk. . .glorified GodJ] Let the likeness between this man's conduct and that of Naaman the Syrian, when he was healed, be carefully noted. (2 Kings v. 15.) Burgon gives the following apt quotation: "The nine others were already healed and hastening to the priests, that they might be restored to the society of men, and their life in the world : but the first thoughts of the Samaritan are turned to his deliverer. He had forgotten all, in the sense of God's mercy, and of his own unworthiness."
16. — [He was a Samaritan.] Let it be noted that though a Samaritan, this man had been allowed to associate with Jewish lepers. Afiliction, misfortune, and persecution drive men to- gether, and make them forget points of difference, which in time of prosperity and ease are tliought very important.
17. — [But where are the nirie ?] The Greek words so rendered might perhaps be translated more literally, " But the nine, — where are they ? "
18. — [This stranger.] The Greek word used here, means literally " one of another nation," and only occurs here. It is a strong expression, and shows clearly that oiu* Lord did not recognize the Samaritans as anything more tlian Gentiles.
19. — [Thy faith hath made thee whole.] Alford remarks hare, that this making whole was " in a higher sense than the mere clean- sing of his leprosy. The making whole of the nine was merely the beholding of the brazen serpent with the outward eye. He beheld with the eye of inward faith. This faith saved him ; — not only healed his body, but his soul."