While Jesus was in one of the cities a man full of leprosy came to him, and when he saw Jesus he cried out to him and knelt down in front of him and fell on his face and worshipped him, and begged Jesus:
Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.
Jesus was moved with compassion and stretched out his hand and touched him.
Jesus said:
I am willing. You are made clean.
Immediately, the leprosy was gone. Then Jesus sent him away, strictly instructing him not to say anything about what had happened, but to go to the priest and offer a sacrifice for cleansing, according to the law of Moses.
The man left Jesus and began to tell everyone what had happened to him and to spread the news of his deliverance from leprosy.
This caused much excitement and great crowds came to hear Jesus and to be healed of their infirmities.
The crowds became so large that Jesus could no longer enter openly into the city.
Jesus withdrew to a place in the desert where he prayed. But people pursued him from every part of the country.
