Notes on Luke 11:4-13

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.

Luke 11:9-13

See HC 116, 120

Luke 11:9-10

ask . . . seek . . . knock. All terms for making requests to God. They indicate a continuous action. (1 Thess. 5:17). Asking is praying (11:10, 13; John 11:22; Eph. 3:20). Seeking is the pursuit of God and his will (13:24; Deut. 4:29; Ps. 105:4; Jer. 29:12-14). Knocking is a picture of entering God's presence (12:36; 13:25). given . . . find . . . opened. God is not like the sleeping neighbor (v. 7). He is pleased to answer bold, persistent prayers (v. 8). Not all prayers are answered (Jam. 4:3). They must be in line with Jesus' character and instruction so that God is glorified (John 14:13-14; 15:16). Thus, Christians should offer kingdom-centered requests (vv. 2-4; 10:2; 12:22-34; Matt. 6:33).

Luke 11:11-13

Jesus encouraged shameless, persistent, kingdom prayers (vv. 8-10) based on God's generosity. He is far superior to any human Father. Thus, we have no need to fear he will withhold any good thing (see Rom. 8:32; Jam. 1:17).

Luke 11:13

evil. Jesus assumed the sinful nature of humanity (Gen. 3; Rom. 3:10-23; 5:12-14). This does not mean people are as bad as they could be, or that they always act wickedly. Holy Spirit. God the Spirit, the third Person of the Trinity. Father gives his Spirit to his people when they put faith in Christ (John 14:16; 15:26; Acts 1:8; 2:38). He is the One the Father sends to convict us of sin, to bring understanding of the gospel, and produce faith in our hearts towards God (John 1:12-13; 3:5; 1 Pet. 1:3). It is by the Spirit that they call out to God in prayer as Father (Gal. 4:6-7). give. Christians do not get more of the Spirit over time. But they can be more sensitive to his presence. Believers can hinder his work by sin (Eph. 4:30) or yield more to his work by responding to Scripture (Eph. 4:30; 6:17; Heb. 4:11-13). God's people should ask for the Spirit's active presence in their lives (see John 14:13-14; Rom. 8:13, 16; Gal. 5:22-25). He is the best gift the Father can give to Jesus' disciples. See WLC 189, 196; WSC 100; BC 7.

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