Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Luke 11:1

"And it came to pass, as he was praying in a certain place, that when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, even as John also taught his disciples." — Luke 11:1 (ASV)

Once more Luke speaks of Jesus at prayer (cf. 3:21; 6:12; 9:28). His exemplary practice introduces the exemplary prayer. Since prayer inevitably expresses one’s theology, the prayers of the Jewish sects in the first century were distinctive. This was true of John the Baptist (v.1). Jesus responds to the request from “one of the disciples” with a model that provides words his disciples can use with the confidence that they express Jesus’ own teachings. The words “when you pray” (v.2) imply frequent repetition of the actual prayer.

The word “Father” (GK 4232) expresses the essence of Jesus’ message and the effect of his atoning work on our relationship with God. Through the use of this intimate but respectful term of address, the Son of God expresses his own unique relationship to God. Through his atoning death on the cross, the Savior has brought about reconciliation with God, making it possible for us to become his spiritual children through the new birth. While we cannot use the term “Father” (Abba) on an equal basis with Jesus, there is a sense in which both he and we may address God as such (Romans 8:14–17).

The petitions that follow are two kinds—the first two petitions relate to God, the last three to us. “Hallowed [GK 39] be your name” is an ascription of worship basic to all prayer and is found in various forms in the OT (e.g., Psalms 111:9) and in ancient Jewish prayers. It means “let your name be regarded as holy.” It is not so much a petition as an act of worship; the speaker, by his words, exalts the holiness of God. God’s people were told in the OT to keep his name holy (Leviticus 22:32; cf. Psalms 79:9; Isaiah 29:33).

In the next petition, Jesus prays that the glory and reign of God may be realized soon; Jesus came to announce and bring in the kingdom. Though its consummation is still future, in his ministry the kingdom was inaugurated in power.

The three petitions that follow are closely connected with the “Father” and give a more distinctive character to the prayer as a whole.

The first of the three petitions relating to us is for “bread,” representing food in general. The meaning of the word translated “daily” (GK 2157) is obscure, so the context of the word becomes crucial. The petition can be paraphrased in the Greek word order as follows: “Our bread, the daily, keep giving to us each day.” “Each day” is in an emphatic position at the end of the clause. The word “daily” may mean “for tomorrow,” i.e., the next day. This would be appropriate if it were an evening prayer. It could also signify the eschatological bread, that is, God’s abundant provision at the consummation of the kingdom. If that is the meaning, then Jesus asks us to pray for the provision of this aspect of the future feast in our own lives now. Finally, the word “daily” may also mean “sufficient.” This meaning fits in with Luke’s stress on depending on God for present needs. To trust God for sufficient food day by day was important to people in Jesus’ time, for many were hired only a day at a time (cf. Matthew 20:1–5). When the people of Israel were in the wilderness, they had to learn to trust God for manna day by day (Exodus 16:4).

“Forgive us our sins” describes a petition that must be repeated as needed.

Those who call God “Father” are believers, already justified and without guilt through the death of Christ. Therefore the forgiveness they must extend to others is not the basis of their salvation but a prerequisite for daily fellowship with the Father (see 1Jn 1:5-10). Conversely, one who does not forgive others may actually be revealing that he or she has not really known God’s forgiveness (cf. Lk 7:47).

“Lead us not into temptation [GK 4280]” does not imply that God might otherwise entice us to do evil . God does, however, allow his people to be tested as to their faithfulness . Thus “testing” is a better translation than “temptation,” though severe testing may be the occasion for one to sin. The request is clearly for the Father to keep his children from falling away in the hour of trial, with a possible allusion to the temptation and fidelity of Christ.