Thirdmill Study Bible

Notes on Luke 11:2-8

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Luke 11:2-4

The Lord's Prayer. This was a repeated teaching, but the form is slightly different than what is found The Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 6:9-13). This shows that The Lord's Prayer was not meant to be a ritualistic prayer. Instead, it was an outline of priorities for the prayers of Jesus' disciples. Also note that the prayer often uses plural language. Jesus expected his disciples to be part of the church. Their prayers should reflect the concerns of their own lives as well as the church community (Eph. 6:18). See WLC 186; WSC 99; BC 26; HC 119.

Luke 11:2

Father. God is referred to but is rarely addressed as Father in the Old Testament (Exod. 4:22; Deut. 32:6; Jer. 31:9; Mal. 2:10). The emphasis was on his fatherly guidance of ancient Israel as a nation, but not on the people as individuals. Jesus directly addressed God as Father. This revealed the glory of God as a triune Being (Matt. 28:19-20; John 14:16, 26; Rom. 15:16, 30; 2 Cor. 13:14; 1 Pet. 1:2). Jesus' faith also exemplified the intimacy of the relationship his disciples would have with God. They are adopted as sons by God their Father (Rom. 8:15; Gal. 4:4-5; Eph. 1:5). sanctified. Be made holy. God is perfect in all ways. So, Jesus did not tell his disciples to pray that God would be more holy. Rather, the prayer is for people to recognize and honor God's holiness (Lev 11:44; 21:8; 22:31-33; Ps 99:1-3). kingdom come. A request for humanity would enter God's kingdom by faith in Jesus (Acts 8:12; Col. 1:13-14). This results in a changed life lived under God's rule (6:17-49; Matt. 7:21; 1 Cor. 6:9-10; 2 Pet. 1:3-11). This prayer also included the request that the kingdom would come in its fullness. It was already present in Jesus (v. 20; 17:21), but is increasingly revealed as the end of the age draws near (22:16; 1 Cor. 15:24; Rev. 11:15). See WLC 187.

Luke 11:3

daily bread. In that day, bread was an everyday necessity. Here bread represents larger needs (see 7:33; 2 Thess. 3:8). Jesus' instruction was to ask for, and depend on, God to provide what is needed. This is opposite of asking for wanted luxuries.

Luke 11:4

Forgive. This is not the legal forgiveness Christians experience when they are first saved through faith in Jesus (Eph. 1:7; Col. 1:14). This is the relational forgiveness part of their ongoing fellowship with God (1 John 1:7-10). everyone. The result of believer's forgiveness from God is that they extend forgiveness to others (6:37; Eph. 4:32; Col. 3:13). Not forgiving is a sign that we've failed to understand God's mercy towards us. debt. An image which describes sin (7:41-43). temptation. It's not enough to ask for forgiveness of sins. God's people should also be seeking to avoid future sin. And they need God's help in this (Rom. 8:12-14; Jam. 1:12-15; 4:4-10). See WLC 194; WSC 105.

Luke 11:5-6

The cultural obligations of hospitality in that day made it unthinkable to not have something to offer a guest.

Luke 11:7

Most families slept on mats in one big room. Getting food and opening the door would have likely woken up the family, including the children. God is not like the friend. He will always be willing to help (vv. 9-10: 18:1-10).

Luke 11:8

shameless persistence. A word which means impudence, audacious boldness, or shameless presumption. All of this is seen in the man's late-night request. Jesus contrasts the sleeping friend with God (vv. 10-13). He never sleeps and is always willing to give good gifts to his people (v. 13; Ps. 34:4-10). Therefore, his people ought to ask boldly and shamelessly for good gifts in prayer. Such prayers show dependence on God and belief that he will answer.

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