Luke Chapter Eleven
How to Pray
[Verses 2-4 parallel Mathew 6:9-13; verses 9-13 parallel Matthew 7:7-11]
11:1 Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.”
After Jesus was finished praying, an unidentified disciple asked Jesus for instructions on how to pray, as John the Baptist apparently taught his disciples (none of John’s prayers are recorded in Scripture).
11:2 And he said to them, “When you pray, say: “Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. 3 Give us each day our daily bread, 4 and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.”
Using wording similar to the model prayer offered during the Sermon on the Mount (see Matthew 6:9-13), Jesus instructs His disciples to pray what is most often referred to as “The Lord’s Prayer.” Although not a prayer He would pray, being without sin, it is the model that He taught, therefore it was given that name.
There are six basic components to this model prayer (Matthew records seven): 1) The prayer is to be ‘directed’ to God the Father, whose name is holy; 2) A desire and request for His kingdom to come (Matthew clarifies by adding “on earth as it is in heaven,” sin is on earth, one day in the future it will finally be eradicated); 3) Request that you receive what you need for daily provisions, note this is only for one day at a time; 4) Request that our sins be forgiven by God; 5) Forgive any and all of those that sinned against us (more than just a willingness to forgive, but must be done); and 6) Lead us away from temptation,[1] help keep us focused on Him. Matthew adds, “deliver us from evil,” for the seventh component.[2]
Jesus then offers a “behind the scenes” look at how prayer is ‘processed’ using three short parables.
11:5 And he said to them, “Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves, 6 for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; 7 and he will answer from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything’? 8 I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence he will rise and give him whatever he needs.
This story begins with an absurd scenario where someone asks a neighbor for three loaves of bread at midnight, pleading on behalf of a friend who just arrived. At first the person is told by the neighbor that its too late and can’t get up, even for a friend. But due to the person’s impudence (Greek ‘anaideian’,[3] shamelessness, disregard for consideration, audacity), the neighbor will indeed get up out of bed and give the person what they need. J. Vernon McGee wrote the following about this parable:
My friend, do you think that God is asleep? Do you feel that He has gone to bed when you pray, and you cannot get Him up? Do you believe that He does not want to answer your prayers? God does want to answer your prayers and He will. That is what this parable is saying. It is a parable by contrast and not by comparison. You do not have to storm the gates of heaven or knock down the door of heaven in order to attract God’s attention. God is not reluctant to hear and answer you. God tells us in Isaiah 65:24, “And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.” God wants to hear and answer.
Some people think that God does not hear and answer their prayers. Maybe they do not get the message—sometimes God says, “No!” Our problem is that we do not like to take no for an answer. God always hears the prayers of His own, and answers them, but when He says no it is because we are not praying for that which is best for us. I have learned over the years that the best answer God has given to some of my requests has been no.[4]
God’s timing is perhaps one of the hardest things a Christian must learn (and accept). God often turns perseverance and patience into a virtue!
11:9 And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.
Jesus identifies three primary prayer request categories. Beginning with asking, when someone needs something they are to ask for it and Jesus promises that they will receive. Next, a person who needs discernment[5] or some form of wisdom (such as what is needed to make a proper decision, see James 1:5), they are to seek from Him those answers and they will find them. Then thirdly, if a person is in need of salvation or a Christian needing fellowship or guidance, they are to knock so that Jesus can open the appropriate door.[6]
11:11 What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; 12 or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
Jesus compares His Father in heaven with earthly fathers. If someone asks their earthly fathers for a fish, he certainly would not give them a snake. Or if they ask for an egg, he would not give them a scorpion. If then, earthly fathers who are evil (Greek ‘ponēroi’,[7] evil in a moral or spiritual sense, in context, being a sinner driven by lustful desires, see Romans 7:14) know how to give appropriate gifts to their children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him. This ending is different than the one Matthew recorded during the Sermon on the Mount, “how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” (Matthew 7:11b). Here in the event recorded by Luke, Jesus says His Father gives the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him. The Holy Spirit is more than vital in a Christian’s life, He is essential. The Holy Spirit is every Christian’s conduit to God, being God Himself, He offers believers: power (see Acts 1:8); comfort (see Acts 9:31); truth (see John 16:13); assistance (see John 14:26); fruit of the Spirit (see Galatians 5:22-23); Spiritual gifts (see Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12:1-14:25); a permanent indwelling (see Romans chapter 8); a seal to guarantee salvation (see 2 Corinthians 1:22); and the list goes on. This is the same truth offered during the Sermon on the Mount, as the gift of the Holy Spirit is the source of all things great. Perhaps one way to illustrate, if one asked for a toy but instead received the entire toy factory.
Jesus Accused of Being in League with Beelzebul
[Text parallels Matthew 12:22-32]
11:14 Now he was casting out a demon that was mute. When the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke, and the people marveled.
Since many believed that the only way to exorcise a demon was to first ask its name, those witnessing were astonished when Jesus healed this mute man.[8]
11:15 But some of them said, “He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the prince of demons,” 16 while others, to test him, kept seeking from him a sign from heaven. 17 But he, knowing their thoughts, said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and a divided household falls. 18 And if Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that I cast out demons by Beelzebul. 19 And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. 20 But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 21 When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are safe; 22 but when one stronger than he attacks him and overcomes him, he takes away his armor in which he trusted and divides his spoil. 23 Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.
Some of the people rationalized that since they believed that a demon could not casted out of a mute, that Jesus surely was in league with Beelzebul,[9] the prince of demons. While others, still wondering who Jesus was, continued to look for more evidence that He was from God. Knowing their thoughts, Jesus explains that every kingdom that is not united and is divided against itself will fail, therefore, if Satan decides to cast out his own kind, his kingdom will not stand for very long. He asks, if they say He casts out demons by Beelzebul, then who do their people call upon to cast them out? Those among them that have casted demons out will judge the critics rightly, as they will attest that demons are only removed through the power of God. If it is by the finger of God (power from God, perhaps referring to an intimate act of God, see Exodus 8:19; 31:18; Deuteronomy 9:10) that Jesus casts out demons, then it is clear that He represents the kingdom of God.
Jesus once again illustrates using a short parable. If a strong man (Satan), fully armed with guards in his own palace, his possessions (unbelievers) are safe. But when someone stronger (Jesus) attacks him and overcomes him, He takes away his armor in which he trusted and divides His spoil. Only God can conquer Satan. Paul wrote, “Giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” (Colossians 1:12-14)
Jesus points out that whoever is not with Him (accepting Jesus) is against Him (standing opposed to Him, rejecting His free gift of salvation). And whoever does not gather (not involved in growing the kingdom of God), instead scatters, making the harvest more difficult.[10]
Demons Can Return
[Text parallels Matthew 12:43-45]
11:24 “When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and finding none it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ 25 And when it comes, it finds the house swept and put in order. 26 Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there. And the last state of that person is worse than the first.”
In this quick lesson, Jesus calls attention to what might be called a “partial reform.” Jesus says that when a demon leaves a person, it passes through “waterless places” looking for a new residence (deserts were often thought to be the dwelling places of demons,[11] but understanding that Jesus said this, we recognize that the word can also refer to any barren area, having no suitable locations available). When a demon is removed from a person, Jesus is warning that if that person does not repent and accept the gospel message, that the demon, finding no place to rest, will return to the same person, except this time it will bring seven additional spirits more evil than itself and remain, making the once bad situation much worse.[12]
Blessed Are Those That Hear and Do
11:27 As he said these things, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts at which you nursed!” 28 But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”
As Jesus was speaking, a woman shouted out to Jesus, “Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts at which you nursed!” Jesus corrected her by saying, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it.” Jesus reminds the crowd that the Word of God, is what is important (not the people behind the scenes). And that those who keep it, starting with accepting the message of salvation, those will be the ones who are blessed. James would remind us this is an ongoing part of our lives, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” (James 1:22)
The Sign of Jonah
[Text parallels Matthew 12:39-42]
11:29 When the crowds were increasing, he began to say, “This generation is an evil generation. It seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah. 30 For as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. 31 The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here. 32 The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here.
As the crowds continued to expand, Jesus returns to an observation He made back in verse 16, that some are looking for a sign that He was sent from heaven. He notes that this generation is an evil generation and that it is (continuously) looking for a sign. They were ‘evil’, not because they were looking for a sign to confirm Jesus was sent by God, but a sign that would ‘align’ with their own beliefs, which was not going to happen. Instead, Jesus said that no sign will be given except the “sign of Jonah.” As Jonah was a sign to the people of Nineveh, so Jesus will be a sign to that generation. Referring to the Queen of Sheba being the “queen of the South,” who came from the ends of the earth to visit King Solomon (see 1 Kings 10:1-13; 2 Chronicles 9:1-12; Joel 3:8), being a pagan who learned of God from Solomon, Jesus says she will rise up to judge and condemn this generation, as He, who is greater than Solomon, was there. Likewise, the men of Nineveh, a once pagan nation, will rise up on Judgment Day and condemn this generation, as they repented of their sins after Jonah preached to them, as Jesus, being greater than Jonah was there. Jesus was pointing to the fact that these pagan people responded to God’s Word more readily than His own people. That they stand in contrast, unwilling to accept Jesus as the Messiah. As they were an evil generation.[13]
The Light in You
11:33 “No one after lighting a lamp puts it in a cellar or under a basket, but on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light. 34 Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light, but when it is bad, your body is full of darkness. 35 Therefore be careful lest the light in you be darkness. 36 If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, it will be wholly bright, as when a lamp with its rays gives you light.”
Using similar wording He used to introduce the parable of the revealing light (see Luke 8:16), Jesus states that when someone lights a lamp it is placed so that the light it gives off can be seen. With the light present, the observer’s eyes need to be open and when the eyes are healthy, seeing the light, the whole body is able to function. But if the eye cannot see, the body remains full of darkness and will not be able to function. Jesus notes that one needs to be careful that the light inside not be made dark. Referring to spiritual awareness, one needs to see the light (the truth) and have nothing to do with the darkness (for example, the world, lusts, and Satan). Then you will be completely bright, as a lamp that offers its light.
Jesus is telling this crowd, after telling them that this generation of their’s was evil, as they had not responded to the call for repentance, that they need to be spiritually aware and see the truth standing right in front of them. If they believe the lies of their self-righteous religious leaders, they are not letting the light of truth in. They need to be aware of the darkness, and have no part following those that are in the dark themselves.
Woes to the Pharisees and Lawyers
11:37 While Jesus was speaking, a Pharisee asked him to dine with him, so he went in and reclined at table. 38 The Pharisee was astonished to see that he did not first wash before dinner. 39 And the Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. 40 You fools! Did not he who made the outside make the inside also? 41 But give as alms those things that are within, and behold, everything is clean for you.
A Pharisee asked Jesus to dine with Him and then later at the table, the Pharisee was amazed to see that Jesus did not wash before eating. While not a component of God’s law, the Pharisees embraced several ritualistic protocols that they considered equally important.[14] Jesus first responds by pointing out their hypocrisy followed by several ‘woes’ addressed to them and lawyers (see also Matthew 23:1-36 for similar woes).
Jesus notes that the Pharisees cleanse the outside of a cup and dish, referring to another one of their customs,[15] Jesus relates that cleaning the outside of a person (such as washing the hands) does not purify the inside, as He identifies them as being full of greed and wickedness. Jesus calls them fools, asking them, “Didn’t God who made the outside also make the inside too?” He tells them that they should give to the poor to show that they are also clean on the inside. It is important to note that the various washings before a meal were not for sanitary reasons like someone might consider doing today, it was in regard to being ceremonially unclean or rendering something ceremonially unclean.
11:42 “But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and neglect justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. 43 Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the best seat in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces. 44 Woe to you! For you are like unmarked graves, and people walk over them without knowing it.”
The first ‘woe’ targets the practice of them being diligent and mindful of tithing mint, rue (a fragrant plant), and herbs, each being insignificant cuttings of plants, but neglect the larger issues such as pursuing justice and loving God. Those things that should be done without neglecting the needs of others. Jesus pronounces another woe, telling them that their understanding of serving God is backwards, putting their needs ahead of others. For they love the best seat in the synagogues and places in the marketplace so they can be seen. Again, Jesus warns, “Woe to you!” For they are like unmarked graves, people follow them, not knowing that they are following the wrong people. Graves were regularly whitewashed for people, especially those from out of the area to avoid, as touching a grave would make them ceremonially unclean. Jesus compared the Pharisees to being like unmarked graves that allow people to “walk over them” (embrace their ways), not knowing they were made ceremonially unclean. The Pharisees were ultimately misleading the people into thinking they had the correct path to God, when in reality they were the ones that needed to repent (see also Matthew 23:23, 27-28).
Christians today need to remain in the Word of God so that they will not be misled by prominent churches, ministers, or teachers. Perhaps the greatest tool Satan utilizes in both secular and within churches today is Biblical ignorance.[16] One must be like the Bereans who, after being taught by Paul, “received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.” (Acts 17:11b)
11:45 One of the lawyers answered him, “Teacher, in saying these things you insult us also.” 46 And he said, “Woe to you lawyers also! For you load people with burdens hard to bear, and you yourselves do not touch the burdens with one of your fingers.
In proclaiming the truth about the Pharisees, Jesus unnerved one of the lawyers listening. Recognizing that they had the same issues and traits Jesus was condemning the Pharisees for, this lawyer tells Him that He is also insulting them. Jesus quickly adds them to His public admonishment by saying, “Woe to you lawyers also!” He tells them that they burden people with heavy loads (being supposed requirements of God’s law) that they themselves don’t even bear.
11:47 Woe to you! For you build the tombs of the prophets whom your fathers killed. 48 So you are witnesses and you consent to the deeds of your fathers, for they killed them, and you build their tombs. 49 Therefore also the Wisdom of God said, ‘I will send them prophets and apostles, some of whom they will kill and persecute,’ 50 so that the blood of all the prophets, shed from the foundation of the world, may be charged against this generation, 51 from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who perished between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, it will be required of this generation. 52 Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge. You did not enter yourselves, and you hindered those who were entering.”
Still speaking to the lawyers, Jesus tells them again, “Woe to you!” For they built the tombs of the prophets their predecessors killed, revering the prophets but at the same time consenting to the deeds of their fathers. Jesus then explains that from God’s perspective, the Wisdom of God, the One who said, “I will send them prophets and apostles, some of whom they will kill and persecute,” that the blood of all the prophets, from the beginning, will be charged against this generation.[17] From the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who perished between the altar and the sanctuary.[18] This generation will be held responsible for their deaths. Jesus concluded with His final woe to the lawyers, as they have taken away the key to salvation from others and will not enter heaven themselves.
11:53 As he went away from there, the scribes and the Pharisees began to press him hard and to provoke him to speak about many things, 54 lying in wait for him, to catch him in something he might say.
After being insulted, the scribes and Pharisees pressed Jesus even harder. Still not seeing the error of their beliefs, they continue to press Him to speak about many subjects with the hope He might say something they can use against Him.
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[1] See Considerations under Matthew 4:11 regarding "Temptation."
[2] See commentary under Matthew 6:9-13.
[3] Strong’s Greek 335.
[4] McGee, J. V. (1991). Thru the Bible commentary: The Gospels (Luke) (electronic ed., Vol. 37, pp. 145–146). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
[5] See Considerations under Matthew 3:11-12 “A Spiritual Conundrum.”
[6] See commentary under Matthew 7:7-11. See also Considerations under Matthew 6:14-15 regarding “Prayer.”
[7] Strong’s Greek 4190.
[8] See commentary under Matthew 9:32-34 regarding the folklore of exorcism.
[9] See Considerations under Matthew 10:24-26 regarding “Beelzebul.”
[10] See commentary under Matthew 12:30-32 and Considerations under Luke 9:49-50 "A Contraposition?"
[11] Singer, I. (Ed.). (1901–1906). In The Jewish Encyclopedia: A Descriptive Record of the History, Religion, Literature, and Customs of the Jewish People from the Earliest Times to the Present Day, 12 Volumes (Vol. 4, p. 515). New York; London: Funk & Wagnalls.
[12] See commentary under Matthew 12:43-45.
[13] See commentary under Matthew 12:39-42.
[14] See commentary under Matthew 15:1-9 regarding Jewish traditions.
[15] Later codified in the Jewish Mishnah, Sixth Division regarding Purities.
[16] See also Considerations under Matthew 16:5-12 regarding "How Does God’s Word Get Corrupted?"
[17] See also commentary under Matthew 23:29-33.
[18] See commentary under Matthew 23:34-26.