A.T. Robertson Commentary Luke 11

As he was praying in a certain place (εν τω εινα αυτον εν τοπω τιν προσευχομενον). Characteristically Lukan idiom: εν with articular periphrastic infinitive (εινα προσευχομενον) with accusative of general reference (αυτον).

That . Not in the Greek, asyndeton (κα εγενετο ειπεν).

When he ceased (ως επαυσατο). Supply προσευχομενος (praying), complementary or supplementary participle.

Teach us (διδαξον ημας). Jesus had taught them by precept (Matthew 6:7–15) and example (Luke 9:29). Somehow the example of Jesus on this occasion stirred them to fresh interest in the subject and to revival of interest in John's teachings (Luke 5:33). So Jesus gave them the substance of the Model Prayer in Matthew, but in shorter form. Some of the MSS. have one or all of the phrases in Matthew, but the oldest documents have it in the simplest form. See on Mt 6:7-15 for discussion of these details (Father, hallowed, kingdom, daily bread, forgiveness, bringing us into temptation). In Mt 6:11 "give" is δος (second aorist active imperative second singular, a single act) while here Lu 11:3 "give" is διδου (present active imperative, both from διδωμ) and means, "keep on giving." So in Lu 11:4 we have "For we ourselves also forgive" (κα γαρ αυτο αφιομεν), present active indicative of the late ω verb αφιω while Mt 6:12 has "as we also forgave" (ως κα ημεις αφηκαμεν), first aorist (κ aorist) active of αφιημ. So also where Mt 6:12 has "debts" (τα οφειληματα)Luke 11:4 has "sins" (τας αμαρτιας). But the spirit of each prayer is the same. There is no evidence that Jesus meant either form to be a ritual. In both Mt 6:13; Luke 11:4 μη εισενεγκηις occurs (second aorist subjunctive with μη in prohibition, ingressive aorist). "Bring us not" is a better translation than "lead us not." There is no such thing as God enticing one to sin (James 1:13). Jesus urges us to pray not to be tempted as in Lu 22:40 in Gethsemane.

At midnight (μεσονυκτιου). Genitive of time.

And say to him (κα ειπη αυτω). This is the deliberative subjunctive, but it is preceded by two future indicatives that are deliberative also (εξει, πορευσετα).

Lend me (χρησον μο). First aorist active imperative second singular. Lend me

now . From κιχρημ, an old verb, to lend as a matter of friendly interest as opposed to δανειζω, to lend on interest as a business. Only here in the N.T.

To set before him (ο παραθησω αυτω).

Which I shall place beside him . Future active of παρατιθημ. See 9:16 for this same verb.

And he (κακεινος). Emphatic.

Shall say (ειπη). Still the aorist active deliberative subjunctive as in verse 5 (the same long and somewhat involved sentence).

Trouble me not (μη μο κοπους παρεχε). Μη and the present imperative active. Literally, "Stop furnishing troubles to me." On this use of κοπους παρεχω see also Mt 26:10; Mr 14:6; Galatians 6:17 and the singular κοπον, Luke 18:5.

The door is now shut (ηδη η θυρα κεκλειστα). Perfect passive indicative, shut to stay shut. Oriental locks are not easy to unlock. From κλειω, common verb.

In bed (εις τεν κοιτην). Note use of εις in sense of εν. Often a whole family would sleep in the same room.

I cannot (ου δυναμα). That is, I am not willing.

Though (ε κα). Κα ε would be "Even if," a different idea.

Because he is his friend (δια το εινα φιλον αυτου). Δια and the accusative articular infinitive with accusative of general reference, a causal clause="because of the being a friend of his."

Yet because of his importunity (δια γε την αναιδιαν αυτου). From αναιδης, shameless, and that from α privative and αιδως, shame, shamelessness, impudence. An old word, but here alone in the N.T. Examples in the papyri. The use of γε here, one of the intensive particles, is to be noted. It sharpens the contrast to "though" by "yet." As examples of importunate prayer Vincent notes Abraham in behalf of Sodom (Genesis 18:23–33) and the SyroPhoenician woman in behalf of her daughter (Matthew 15:22–28).