King James Version

What Does Luke 11:1 Mean?

Luke 11:1 in the King James Version says “And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lor... — study this verse from Luke chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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 · KJV


Context

1

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.

2

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.

3

Give us day by day our daily bread. day by day: or, for the day


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Lord, teach us to pray (Κύριε, δίδαξον ἡμᾶς προσεύχεσθαι, Kyrie, didaxon hēmas proseuchesthai)—The disciples' request reveals the rabbinical context where each teacher had distinctive prayers for his followers. John the Baptist taught his disciples specific prayers; now Jesus's followers desire their own instruction in prayer.

The Greek verb didaxon (teach, instruct) implies systematic, authoritative instruction, not mere casual advice. This request led to the Lord's Prayer (Luke's version being shorter than Matthew's Sermon on the Mount account), establishing the pattern for Christian prayer: address to the Father, hallowing His name, seeking His kingdom, requesting provision, forgiveness, and protection. The setting—as he was praying—suggests the disciples witnessed Jesus's prayer life firsthand, compelling them to seek the same intimacy with the Father.

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Historical & Cultural Context

First-century Judaism had three daily prayer times (morning, afternoon, evening) with fixed liturgical prayers like the Shema and the Eighteen Benedictions. Rabbis often composed distinctive prayers for their disciples. Jesus's emphasis on direct, familial address to God (Abba) was revolutionary in this context.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does your prayer life reflect a desire to be taught by Jesus, rather than relying on formulas?
  2. What aspects of Jesus's own prayer habits (solitude, persistence, intimacy with the Father) challenge your current practice?
  3. How does addressing God as Father (Abba) transform the nature of your requests and relationship with Him?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 30 words
καὶ1 of 30

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἐγένετο2 of 30

it came to pass

G1096

to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)

ἐν3 of 30

in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῷ4 of 30
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

εἶναι5 of 30

was

G1511

to exist

αὐτοῦ6 of 30

he

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἐν7 of 30

in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τόπῳ8 of 30

place

G5117

a spot (general in space, but limited by occupancy; whereas g5561 is a large but participle locality), i.e., location (as a position, home, tract, etc

τις9 of 30

a certain

G5100

some or any person or object

προσεύχεσθαι10 of 30

praying

G4336

to pray to god, i.e., supplicate, worship

ὡς11 of 30

when

G5613

which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)

ἐπαύσατο12 of 30

he ceased

G3973

to stop (transitively or intransitively), i.e., restrain, quit, desist, come to an end

εἶπέν13 of 30

said

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

τις14 of 30

a certain

G5100

some or any person or object

τῶν15 of 30
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

μαθητὰς16 of 30

disciples

G3101

a learner, i.e., pupil

αὐτοῦ17 of 30

he

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

πρὸς18 of 30

unto

G4314

a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,

αὐτοῦ19 of 30

he

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

Κύριε20 of 30

Lord

G2962

supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)

ἐδίδαξεν21 of 30

taught

G1321

to teach (in the same broad application)

ἡμᾶς22 of 30

us

G2248

us

προσεύχεσθαι23 of 30

praying

G4336

to pray to god, i.e., supplicate, worship

καθὼς24 of 30

as

G2531

just (or inasmuch) as, that

καὶ25 of 30

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

Ἰωάννης26 of 30

John

G2491

joannes (i.e., jochanan), the name of four israelites

ἐδίδαξεν27 of 30

taught

G1321

to teach (in the same broad application)

τοὺς28 of 30
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

μαθητὰς29 of 30

disciples

G3101

a learner, i.e., pupil

αὐτοῦ30 of 30

he

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Luke 11:1 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Luke 11:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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