Luke 11 1

Luke 11:1 kjv

And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.

Luke 11:1 nkjv

Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples."

Luke 11:1 niv

One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples."

Luke 11:1 esv

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."

Luke 11:1 nlt

Once Jesus was in a certain place praying. As he finished, one of his disciples came to him and said, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples."

Luke 11 verses

Luke 11 1 Meaning

Luke 11:1 opens with Jesus praying in a quiet location. Observing His deep devotion and evident connection with God, one of His disciples requests Him to teach them how to pray, much like John the Baptist had taught his own followers. This highlights the disciples' recognition of Jesus' unique relationship with the Father, desiring to replicate His spiritual discipline and communion in their own lives. It sets the stage for Jesus' teaching on prayer, commonly known as the Lord's Prayer, in the subsequent verses.

Luke 11 1 Context

Luke chapter 11 opens a significant section of Jesus' teaching on prayer, directly building upon the example set by Him. Luke's Gospel notably emphasizes Jesus' prayer life more than the other Gospels, presenting Him consistently in prayer before crucial events or teachings (e.g., at baptism, before choosing apostles, before transfiguration, in Gethsemane). Prior to this verse, Jesus has been teaching extensively, including sending out the seventy-two disciples (Lk 10) and then visiting Mary and Martha, where Mary chose "the good portion" of sitting at Jesus' feet and listening to His word (Lk 10:38-42). This focus on devotion and spiritual listening provides a natural segue to the disciples' desire for deeper communion through prayer. Historically, Jewish tradition involved specific times and forms of prayer (e.g., Shema, Amidah), often formulaic and public. Teachers like John the Baptist were known to impart distinct prayer practices to their followers, suggesting a custom for spiritual masters. The disciples' request indicates their observation of something uniquely profound in Jesus' prayer that surpassed their existing understanding or Jewish practices, prompting them to seek His specific guidance for a prayer reflective of the Messianic era.

Luke 11 1 Word analysis

• And it came to pass: (Greek: kai egeneto - καὶ ἐγένετο). This is a frequent transitional phrase in Luke and Acts, signifying the commencement of a new event or narrative sequence. It emphasizes that this event occurred, drawing the reader's attention to its significance.
• as he was praying: (Greek: en tō pros euxes thai auto - ἐν τῷ προσεύχεσθαι αὐτόν). The Greek imperfect tense of proseuchomai ("to pray") denotes a continuous or ongoing action. It emphasizes that prayer was a consistent and habitual part of Jesus' life, not an isolated incident. His disciples observed a pattern of prayer.
• in a certain place: (Greek: en topō tini - ἐν τόπῳ τινί). The specificity is left undefined, indicating that the location of prayer is less important than the act itself. It highlights that true prayer transcends physical location and can occur anywhere.
• when he ceased: (Greek: hōs epausato - ὡς ἐπαύσατο). The Greek pauō means "to stop" or "cease." This suggests the disciples waited patiently and respectfully until Jesus had concluded His time of communion with the Father before approaching Him with their request.
• one of his disciples: (Greek: heis tōn mathētōn autou - εἷς τῶν μαθητῶν αὐτοῦ). Luke doesn't name the disciple, which shifts focus from the individual to the collective need or sentiment of the group. This indicates that the desire for instruction in prayer was shared among them.
• said unto him: A direct and immediate request, reflecting their observation and yearning.
• Lord: (Greek: Kyrie - Κύριε). A respectful address acknowledging Jesus' authority and position as their teacher or master. This title often carries overtones of divine authority or profound respect, as seen throughout the Gospels (e.g., Lk 5:8, Lk 7:6).
• teach us to pray: (Greek: didaxon hēmas proseuches thai - δίδαξον ἡμᾶς προσεύχεσθαι). Didaskō means "to instruct, teach." This isn't just a request for a prayer formula, but for a fundamental instruction on the how and what of prayer—to grasp the way Jesus connected with God, reflecting His unique relationship. They observed the power and authenticity of His prayer and sought to imitate it.
• as John also taught his disciples: This comparative clause signifies that the disciples' request was rooted in existing practice. John the Baptist's followers had distinctive spiritual disciplines, including fasting and prayer (Lk 5:33; Mt 9:14). Jesus' disciples recognize a similar need for a unique spiritual identity and practice that reflects their relationship with Him as their teacher and the unique nature of His mission. This isn't a challenge or criticism of John, but rather an affirmation of a common tradition of a master teaching specific practices.

Luke 11 1 Bonus section

• Luke's distinctive emphasis on prayer: More than the other Gospel writers, Luke portrays Jesus consistently engaging in prayer at critical junctures of His ministry. This narrative pattern in Luke's Gospel highlights the necessity and transformative power of prayer, establishing it as a foundational practice for Jesus' followers. This specific request by the disciples further solidifies prayer as a central theme within Luke's account.
• Desire for distinctive identity: In ancient Judaism, it was customary for spiritual leaders (like John the Baptist or the Pharisees) to provide their disciples with specific spiritual disciplines and prayers, fostering a distinct identity for their followers. The disciples' request was not simply about learning any prayer but a prayer specifically from Jesus, which would uniquely identify them as His followers and distinguish them in their spiritual practice.
• Precedence for divine instruction in prayer: The Old Testament provides precedents for receiving divine instruction on prayer, such as Moses receiving the Law from God, which included prayers and worship directives. The disciples' request aligns with a longing for an authentic, God-given method of communicating with the divine through Jesus.

Luke 11 1 Commentary

Luke 11:1 encapsulates the deep spiritual hunger of Jesus' disciples. They witnessed His profound intimacy with the Father in prayer and recognized that this was not merely ritualistic but transformative. Their request, "Lord, teach us to pray," underscores their desire for a direct, powerful connection like His, distinct from the prevailing conventional prayers of the day. Jesus' life served as their example; His consistent withdrawal for prayer was a practical demonstration of devotion. This verse serves as a crucial preface to Jesus providing the Lord's Prayer (Lk 11:2-4), emphasizing that true prayer stems from observing and desiring to emulate a life lived in constant communion with God. It signifies that prayer is a learnable discipline, central to discipleship and an expression of one's unique relationship with the Master. It teaches that one's example can inspire others to seek deeper spiritual truths.