The disciples' request to be taught to pray highlights a crucial distinction: they observed Jesus' prayer and wanted to emulate that – not just learn a prayer, but how to pray like Him, implying a deeper connection and access they witnessed. This wasn't just about learning words, but about understanding the very posture and privilege of speaking to God as Jesus did.
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.” And he said to them, “When you pray, say: “Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
As Jesus finished praying, His disciples, struck by the depth of His devotion, asked Him to teach them how to pray, just as John the Baptist had taught his own followers. This request, prompted by observing Jesus' own prayer life, leads into Jesus' instruction on prayer, including the model prayer itself and further teachings on persistence and faith in asking God.
Imagine overhearing Jesus in prayer. What would that experience stir in you? For one disciple, it sparked a profound desire – a plea that echoes through the ages.
This moment in Luke 11 isn't just about learning words; it's about understanding the heart behind prayer.
Why Ask Jesus to Teach Them?
This wasn't a casual question; it was an earnest plea born from observing the Master at His most divine task.
Jewish teachers often gave their disciples a distinctive prayer, a kind of spiritual uniform. But Jesus offered something far richer.
The request to be taught how to pray, especially in comparison to John's disciples, highlights that prayer is more than just words; it's a distinctive mark of following Christ.
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Beyond a 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.
Patēr · Greek Noun
A title used for God that emphasizes His personal, paternal relationship with believers, conveying intimacy, trust, and the authority of a caring parent.
hagiazō · Greek Verb
To treat as holy, set apart, or revere as sacred; it signifies acknowledging the supreme sanctity and incomparable worth of God's character and reputation.
basileia · Greek Noun
Refers to God's sovereign rule, reign, and redemptive authority; it encompasses both His eternal dominion and the manifestation of His will and salvation in the world.
epiousios · Greek Adjective
Refers to the basic necessities of life or spiritual sustenance provided by God on a continuous basis; it implies a humble reliance on God's provision for the immediate future.
aphiēmi · Greek Verb
An act of releasing or canceling a debt, moral failure, or offense; in a biblical context, it is the gracious removal of the guilt and penalty of transgression.
hamartia · Greek Noun
Missing the mark or breaking the law of God; it refers to any thought, word, or action that violates God’s standard of holiness and separates humans from Him.
peirasmos · Greek Noun
An external trial, enticement to evil, or a test of faith; it is a situation or influence that seeks to persuade a person to depart from God’s will.
This event highlights the disciples' growing awareness of Jesus' unique relationship with God and their desire to emulate it, contrasting with the established practices of other religious teachers like John the Baptist.
c. AD 28
John the Baptist's ministry
John the Baptist, a key forerunner to Jesus, had been actively teaching and baptizing people, including his own disciples, and likely provided them with specific instruction on prayer.
c. AD 28-29
Jesus' Sermon on the Mount
Jesus had previously taught his disciples a model prayer (the Lord's Prayer) as part of His Sermon on the Mount, which many of the disciples had heard.
c. AD 30— this verse
Jesus prays, disciples request instruction
While Jesus was praying in a specific location, one of his disciples, possibly one who hadn't heard the Sermon on the Mount or who felt the need for deeper instruction, asked Jesus to teach them to pray, referencing John the Baptist's teaching.
This passage is the parallel account where Jesus first teaches the Lord's Prayer as part of the Sermon on the Mount. It highlights that Jesus' teaching on prayer was a significant and foundational part of his ministry, given in different contexts.
Luke 3:21This verse records Jesus praying at his baptism before beginning his public ministry, showing that prayer was central to Jesus' own life and decisions. It underscores why his disciples would be struck by his prayer and want to learn from him.
John 1:35-40This passage shows John the Baptist's disciples following Jesus after John points him out as the Lamb of God. It illustrates how disciples transition from one teacher to another, mirroring the disciples' request to learn from Jesus as they did from John.
Romans 8:15This verse speaks of receiving the Spirit of adoption, enabling believers to cry 'Abba! Father!'. It connects to Luke 11:1 by showing that the ability to approach God as 'Father' comes through the Holy Spirit, a key element Jesus later teaches in the Lord's Prayer.
1 John 5:14-15This passage assures believers that if we ask anything according to God's will, He hears us. It resonates with the disciples' request, as Jesus' teaching on prayer provides the model for asking according to God's will, ensuring our prayers are heard.
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 disciples' request to be taught to pray highlights a crucial distinction: they observed Jesus' prayer and wanted to emulate that – not just learn a prayer, but how to pray like Him, implying a deeper connection and access they witnessed. This wasn't just about learning words, but about understanding the very posture and privilege of speaking to God as Jesus did.
As Jesus finished praying, His disciples, struck by the depth of His devotion, asked Him to teach them how to pray, just as John the Baptist had taught his own followers. This request, prompted by observing Jesus' own prayer life, leads into Jesus' instruction on prayer, including the model prayer itself and further teachings on persistence and faith in asking God.
As Jesus finished praying, His disciples, struck by the depth of His devotion, asked Him to teach them how to pray, just as John the Baptist had taught his own followers. This request, prompted by observing Jesus' own prayer life, leads into Jesus' instruction on prayer, including the model prayer itself and further teachings on persistence and faith in asking God.
"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.” And he said to them, “When you pray, say:
“Father, hallowed be your name.
Yo…" — The disciples' request to be taught to pray highlights a crucial distinction: they observed Jesus' prayer and wanted to emulate *that* – not just learn *a* prayer, but *how* to pray like Him, implyin…
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Last reviewed October 2026