Luke 11 2

Luke 11:2 kjv

And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.

Luke 11:2 nkjv

So He said to them, "When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.

Luke 11:2 niv

He said to them, "When you pray, say: "?'Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come.

Luke 11:2 esv

And he said to them, "When you pray, say: "Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come.

Luke 11:2 nlt

Jesus said, "This is how you should pray: "Father, may your name be kept holy.
May your Kingdom come soon.

Luke 11 verses

Luke 11 2 Meaning

Luke 11:2 introduces the first part of Jesus' teaching on prayer to His disciples. When asked how to pray, Jesus begins by instructing them to address God as "Father," signifying a deep, personal relationship. The subsequent petitions are "Hallowed be Your name" and "Your kingdom come." These express a primary devotion to God's glory, His intrinsic holiness being recognized and reverenced throughout creation, and a fervent desire for His sovereign rule to be fully established both spiritually in hearts and comprehensively over the earth. This opening emphasizes a God-centered approach to prayer, prioritizing His honor and dominion before any personal requests.

Luke 11 2 Context

Luke 11:2 is part of what is commonly known as the Lord's Prayer, a model for Christian prayer. The passage immediately preceding this verse (Lk 11:1) sets the scene: Jesus had just finished praying, prompting one of His disciples to request, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples." This request underscores a felt need for specific guidance in prayer, highlighting that even devoted disciples sought instruction in this vital practice. Luke's account of the prayer is generally shorter than Matthew's version (Mt 6:9-13), focusing on the foundational elements. Historically and culturally, Jewish prayer often used communal and formal elements, including blessings and praises. While "Father" (Abba) was present in Jewish tradition, Jesus's consistent emphasis on addressing God as Father introduced a new depth of intimacy and filial relationship, expanding it as a normative practice for all disciples. The phrase "Your kingdom come" also spoke directly to the prevalent Messianic expectations of the time, though Jesus progressively redefined this kingdom as a spiritual, moral reign before its physical consummation.

Luke 11 2 Word analysis

• And He said to them: Establishes Jesus' authority as the teacher of prayer. It signifies a direct response to the disciples' request, emphasizing the importance of this instruction.
• When you pray, say: This is an imperative instruction (λέγετε, legite - "keep on saying"), not merely a suggestion. It serves as a model or prescribed manner of prayer, setting the foundation for true worship.
• 'Father' (Πάτερ, Pater):
  • This opening word transforms prayer from a formal ritual to an intimate conversation with a loving parent.
  • It highlights a new covenant relationship with God as adoptive children (Jn 1:12).
  • It expresses confidence, love, and dependency on God.
  • This form of address was intimate in Jesus's culture, indicating a deep familial bond, setting aside more distant titles often used for God.
• 'hallowed be Your name.' (ἁγιασθήτω τὸ ὄνομά σου, hagiasthētō to onoma sou):
  • hagiasthētō (hallowed/sanctified) is a passive imperative, meaning "let Your name be treated as holy." It's not a request for God to become holy (He inherently is), but for His holiness to be universally recognized, reverenced, and honored.
  • "Your name" signifies God Himself – His character, attributes, reputation, and manifest presence (Ex 3:14, 34:5-7). To hallow His name means to treat His divine being and revealed character with the utmost awe and respect, and to desire that His renown spreads throughout creation through human reverence and divine intervention.
  • This petition reflects a longing for God's glory to be paramount in all things.
• 'Your kingdom come.' (ἐλθέτω ἡ βασιλεία σου, elthetō hē basileia sou):
  • elthetō (come) is also an imperative, expressing a passionate desire.
  • "Your kingdom" refers to God's reign and sovereign rule. It embodies both the present spiritual reality of His reign in the hearts of believers and His universal, ultimate dominion (Col 1:13, Rom 14:17).
  • This petition prays for the full establishment of God's will and reign on earth as it is in heaven, looking forward to Christ's return and the final consummation of His rule (Rev 11:15).
  • It is a prayer for salvation history to unfold to its appointed end, bringing justice, righteousness, and peace.

Words-group analysis:

• 'Father, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come.': These first two petitions demonstrate a theocentric focus in prayer. They instruct believers to align their desires primarily with God's glory and His purposes before considering personal needs. It's a surrender of personal agenda to divine will. This opening teaches that true prayer begins with worship and submission to God's sovereign plan, acknowledging His preeminence in all aspects of life and history. It sets the tone for a prayer life rooted in relationship, reverence, and expectation of God's perfect plan unfolding.

Luke 11 2 Bonus section

• Luke's Brevity: The shorter version of the Lord's Prayer in Luke highlights core, essential petitions. Luke, as a meticulous historian, might have chosen this concise form to emphasize practical instruction on prayer rather than a strict liturgical recitation, showing that the spirit of the prayer matters more than rigid adherence to a specific word count.
• The Model vs. The Liturgy: The Lord's Prayer serves as both a model (a framework for prayer topics and attitudes) and can also be used as a literal liturgy (a set prayer to be recited). Its foundational principles are universal: focus on God, His glory, and His kingdom, before personal requests.
• Counter-cultural Impact: In a world where many divinities were worshipped out of fear or for immediate gratification, Jesus’ teaching to call the transcendent Creator of the universe "Father" and to prioritize His name and kingdom was radically relational and challenged prevalent notions of divine-human interaction.

Luke 11 2 Commentary

Luke 11:2 provides the foundational elements of Christian prayer as taught by Jesus. It reveals prayer as a privileged dialogue with God, framed by intimacy and reverence. Addressing God as "Father" redefines the worshiper's relationship with the divine, moving beyond mere servanthood to adopted sonship. This intimacy is profound yet coupled with ultimate reverence, as indicated by the plea "Hallowed be Your name." This is not an instruction for God to become holy, but a passionate desire for His intrinsic holiness to be acknowledged, honored, and supremely valued by all, manifesting His glory throughout creation. Following this, "Your kingdom come" expresses a deep yearning for the full manifestation of God's sovereign rule. This kingdom is both a present spiritual reality, exercised through Christ's authority and the Spirit's power in believers' lives, and a future eschatological hope for the perfect and complete reign of God on earth. Together, these opening petitions demonstrate that prayer's highest priority is the glorification of God and the advancement of His purposes, inviting believers to align their deepest aspirations with His divine will.