Luke 17:11

As he went to Jerusalem. [The Ten Lepers, Luke 17:11-19. Cf. on Mark 1:40-45; see Closing Peraean Ministry; The Ministry of Our Lord; on miracles pp. 208-213.] The journey here referred to seems to be in the nature of a circuit, first through Samaria, then the borders of Galilee, then probably across the Jordan through Peraea, and eventually, arrival at Jerusalem. If so, it may be possible, as some have suggested, that this journey is to be equated with the one mentioned in John 11:54, where Jesus and his disciples retire northward from the vicinity of Behany and Jerusalem in order to avoid the open hostility that followed the raising of Lazarus (v. 53). This northward journey would bring them to the borders of Galilee. Thus, even though Jesus was actually going away from Jerusalem, He was making the final circuit that would eventually bring Him back to the city and to the cross. And also, during the course of this journey, Jesus probably remained with His disciples in Samaria for a brief time, no doubt devoting at least part of it to ministering to the people there. This was probably followed by a brief period spent in Peraea, whence Jesus passed through Jericho and Bethany to attend the final Passover.

Through the midst. Textual evidence may be cited (cf. p. 146) for the reading dia meson, literally, “through [what lies] between,” rather than dia mesou, “through the midst of.” Luke here seems to speak, not of a journey through Samaria and through Galilee, from which Jesus had already taken His final departure (see on Matt 19:1, 2) a few weeks or months earlier, but of a journey between the two regions, that is, along the border between them.