Luke 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.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The disciple's request, "Lord, teach us to pray," isn't just about learning specific words. It stems from witnessing Jesus' own prayer life, which profoundly impacted them, revealing a deeper, more intimate connection with God that they longed to replicate. This shows that true prayer isn't just about form but about the transformative power of encountering God through someone who knows Him intimately.
Jesus was praying, and as he finished, his disciples were struck by his connection with God. They asked him to teach them how to pray effectively, just as John the Baptist had done for his followers, highlighting a desire for spiritual instruction and a closer relationship with God.
Have you ever seen someone pray and felt a deep longing to connect with God like they do? The disciples were so struck by Jesus' prayer life that they couldn't help but ask for more.
The verse highlights that Jesus was often found in prayer. Luke specifically notes this habit of Jesus: at his baptism, in the wilderness, before choosing the apostles, and when he was transfigured.
This wasn't just a random act; it was a consistent part of His life. His disciples witnessed the 'excellency and fervor' of His prayers. This powerful example sparked a desire in them to learn how to pray in a way that reflected such a close connection with God. It shows us that our own spiritual lives can inspire others, and that witnessing authentic prayer can ignite a hunger for deeper communion with the Divine.
When the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray, He didn't just give them a few pointers. He gave them a model, a framework for connecting with God.
The disciples’ request, 'Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples,' was a direct appeal for instruction. John the Baptist had a specific way of teaching his followers to pray, likely as a marker of their discipleship and to prepare them for the coming kingdom.
Jesus, in response, provides them with the Lord's Prayer (detailed in Matthew 6:9-13 and a similar version here in Luke 11). This prayer isn't just a set of words; it’s a blueprint. It teaches us what to pray for – God’s glory, His kingdom, His will – and how to approach God – as a loving Father. It's a guide to aligning our desires with God’s, moving from His agenda to our needs.
John the Baptist had his disciples, and Jesus had His. A key difference? Jesus' disciples wanted to pray like Him, distinguishing them from others.
The disciples’ reference to John the Baptist teaching his disciples to pray is significant. It suggests that having a specific way of praying was a recognized characteristic of a teacher and their followers in that cultural context. Jewish rabbis would often give their disciples a prayer formula.
Understand the original words
Kyrios · Greek Noun
A term of respect and sovereignty, signifying one who possesses authority, mastery, or ownership over another; in the New Testament, it is frequently used to address Jesus as the divine Master and Messiah.
proseuchomai · Greek Verb
The act of communicating with God, involving adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and petition; it is a vital expression of relationship and dependence upon God.
c. AD 28
John the Baptist's Ministry
John the Baptist, a forerunner of Jesus, taught his own disciples and likely provided them with a specific way to pray.
c. AD 28-29
Jesus' Sermon on the Mount
Jesus taught his followers a model prayer, now known as the Lord's Prayer, as part of his Sermon on the Mount. However, the Gospel of Luke suggests not all disciples were present for this teaching.
c. AD 30— this verse
Jesus Prays in a Certain Place
While Jesus is praying, his disciples witness his devotion and are moved to ask him to teach them to pray, referencing John the Baptist's practice.
c. AD 30
Jesus Repeats the Lord's Prayer
In response to the disciples' request, Jesus reiterates the model prayer, emphasizing the importance of approaching God as a loving Father and outlining key elements of prayer.
This passage directly follows the request in Luke 11:1, as Jesus then teaches the disciples the Lord's Prayer, showing the content and model for what they should ask.
John 16:23Jesus here promises that the Father will give whatever they ask in His name, directly relating to the disciples' desire to know how to ask effectively, as taught by Jesus and contrasted with John the Baptist.
1 John 5:14This verse assures believers that if we ask anything according to God's will, He hears us, underscoring the importance of learning to pray 'in the right way,' as the disciples requested.
Romans 8:26This passage highlights that the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness when we don't know how to pray, connecting to the disciples' plea for Jesus to teach them, implying their own inadequacy.
barnesLuke 11:1: "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."
As he was praying - Luke has taken notice of our Saviour's praying often. Thus, at his baptism Luke 3:21 ; in the wilderness Luke 5:16 ; before the appointment of the apostles, he continued all night in prayer Luke 6:12 ; he was alone praying Luke 9:18 ; his transfiguration also took place when he went up to…
calvinLuke 11:1-4: "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."
- Pray ye therefore thus: Our Father who art in heaven, may thy name be sanctified. 10. May thy kingdom come. May thy will be done, as in heaven, so also in the earth. 11. Give us to-day our daily bread. 12. And forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors. 13. And lead us not into temptation, but…
The disciple's request, "Lord, teach us to pray," isn't just about learning specific words. It stems from witnessing Jesus' own prayer life, which profoundly impacted them, revealing a deeper, more intimate connection with God that they longed to replicate. This shows that true prayer isn't just about form but about the transformative power of encountering God through someone who knows Him intimately.
Jesus was praying, and as he finished, his disciples were struck by his connection with God. They asked him to teach them how to pray effectively, just as John the Baptist had done for his followers, highlighting a desire for spiritual instruction and a closer relationship with God.
Jesus was praying, and as he finished, his disciples were struck by his connection with God. They asked him to teach them how to pray effectively, just as John the Baptist had done for his followers, highlighting a desire for spiritual instruction and a closer relationship with God.
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By asking Jesus to teach them, the disciples were essentially asking to be marked as His disciples, with His way of praying. This highlights that prayer isn't just a private act but a communal one, a badge of belonging. It’s about learning to approach God not as strangers, but as children through the relationship Jesus provides, a relationship marked by intimacy and reliance on the Father.
"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.”" — The disciple's request, "Lord, teach us to pray," isn't just about learning specific words. It stems from witnessing Jesus' own prayer life, which profoundly impacted them, revealing a deeper, more i…
