The answer is: Priests

Luke 17:11-14

This passage featuring Jesus and the ten lepers is deeply symbolic. When Jesus instructs the lepers to show themselves to the priests (Luke 17:14), he is grounding his miracle in the laws and customs of his time. The priests held the key to determining holiness and purity in Israelite society; they had the responsibility to declare whether someone previously afflicted with disease was healed and ready to reintegrate into the community.

What's fascinating here is how this engagement highlights both faith and action. Although the ten lepers initially seem desperate—and they are—their healing occurs as they obey Jesus’ command. Interestingly, their healing doesn't take place instantly before they move. Instead, it takes effect as they are on their way, which is a powerful representation of trust and belief in action. This echoes a theme resonant throughout earthly experiences—the notion that sometimes one must move forward before healing or solutions become evident.

In the Biblical culture of that time, leprosy separated individuals from the rest of society, removed them from families, and subjected them to intense stigma. Since they were marginalized, their journey back towards reconciliation reflects themes of inclusion and restoration in both a spiritual and societal context.

And let’s not miss that upon realizing they had been healed, only one returns to express gratitude. This interaction with gratitude plays into larger Biblical traditions of thankfulness, reminding readers that recognizing one's blessings—and conditions—remains an important aspect of spiritual and communal life.