The Man with Leprosy (AQA GCSE Religious Studies A): Revision Note

At the time of Jesus, illness was considered to be caused by sin 

This meant that people who became ill were often cast out and rejected by others

• This was especially true of skin diseases such as leprosy, a serious disease that was common at the time

People treated leprosy sufferers as social outcasts

Jewish scriptures contained strict instructions about avoiding contact with people with leprosy:

• To try to stop the spread of the disease, as it was believed that it was spread by touching

• Because people believed that if you came into contact with a leper, you would be spiritually “unclean” 

Lepers were often forced to live in “leper colonies” and were not allowed to enter towns and villages

• The Book of Leviticus instructs that “They must live alone” (Leviticus 13:46)

• Lepers were supposed to keep 50 paces away from anyone who was not infected

• They could not participate in worship

Jesus did not like that the law separated someone from society because they were “unclean”

The man with leprosy who approached Jesus showed great faith in Jesus’s ability to help him

He approached on his knees and was careful not to touch Jesus, saying: “If you choose, you can make me clean.”

In response, Jesus healed the man, showing great compassion in both his actions and his words

• Jesus said: “I do choose. Be made clean!”

• Jesus touched the leper, thus making himself ritually “unclean”

Although Mark does not report it, Jesus’s actions would have been considered shocking

The leper was healed instantly

Jesus instructed him to go and visit a priest and make the sacrifices necessary to be considered “cleansed” and fully welcomed back into society

• Only a priest could declare someone free from leprosy in Jewish law

Jesus told the man to keep the healing a secret, which is an example of the Messianic Secret

However, the man ignored this instruction and told everyone of the healing

• Mark reports that this led to people approaching Jesus “from every quarter” in search of healing

This is an example of Jesus healing someone out of compassion

It shows that Jesus was willing to help sick people, even when there were rules isolating them from others

Jesus made a public commitment though this healing early on in his ministry:

• He combatted misconceptions

• He reached out to sick people

• He showed love and compassion

• He set an example that things could be changed, and people like the man with leprosy could be treated with love

The message of this healing for Christians is that God loves them and will reach out to them in times of need

It reminds Christians that they should follow the example of Jesus and reach out to others who are sick and in need

Leprosy is still a problem in today’s world

• The Leprosy Mission is a Christian organisation that supports and helps sufferers throughout the world

• The Leprosy Mission cares for those who suffer in practical ways: by providing healthcare, education, sanitation, fresh water and housing

• The organisation also works to change attitudes and get rid of the stigma that still exists around diseases like leprosy

Another example of people being cast out from society due to illness is the treatment of HIV/AIDS patients in the 1980s and 90s

• Many sufferers experienced discrimination in wider society because of their diagnosis

• Individual Christians and organisations such as Christian Aid have worked to tackle prejudice and discrimination and provide support to those affected and their families