And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.

LUKE 17:11KJV
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Luke 17:11 (KJV)

What does Luke 17:11 mean?

Luke 17:11 describes Jesus traveling toward Jerusalem and passing through the region between Samaria and Galilee. This verse sets the scene for what happens next, showing that Jesus is moving through areas where Jews and Samaritans lived, on his way to an important destination.

In this verse, the Gospel writer Luke is narrating Jesus’ journey. The mention of Samaria and Galilee highlights that Jesus is traveling through a border area, which was known for its mix of different peoples and sometimes tense relationships. This detail prepares the reader for the encounter with people from different backgrounds in the following verses.

The Greek behind Luke 17:11

  • The word "passed through" (διήρχετο, diērcheto) is from διέρχομαι (dierchomai), which means to travel through or go across. This emphasizes that Jesus was not just skirting the edge but moving through the heart of this mixed region.
  • The phrase "midst" (μέσον, meson) means the middle or center, showing that Jesus was traveling right between Samaria and Galilee, not just near one or the other. This stresses the idea of Jesus being present in a place where different groups met.

Why Luke 17:11 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Jesus intentionally traveled through regions where Jews and Samaritans lived side by side, setting up the story for his interaction with people from both backgrounds.
  • By mentioning both Samaria and Galilee, Luke hints at the crossing of social and cultural boundaries, which is a theme in many of Jesus’ encounters.
  • Understanding the geography and the relationships between these regions helps the reader see why the following events—especially Jesus’ meeting with the ten lepers, including a Samaritan—are so significant.

Where else these words appear

“Samaria” Greek G4540 · used in 11 verses

  • John 4:4 And he must needs go through Samaria.
  • Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
  • Acts 8:9 But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:

“passed” Greek G1330 · used in 42 verses

  • Matthew 12:43 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.
  • John 4:4 And he must needs go through Samaria.
  • Acts 15:41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.

“midst” Greek G3319 · used in 59 verses

  • Matthew 10:16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
  • Luke 10:3 Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.
  • Acts 23:10 And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring him into the castle.

“Galilee” Greek G1056 · used in 62 verses

  • Matthew 2:22 But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee:
  • Mark 1:39 And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils.
  • Luke 23:55 And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid.