John Calvin 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)

It is uncertain whether this form was delivered by Christ to his disciples only once or twice.⁴²⁹ Some think that the latter is more probable, because Luke says that he was requested to do it, while Matthew represents him as teaching it of his own accord. But as we have said, Matthew collects all the leading points of doctrine, so that their full extent may be more clearly perceived by readers when they are placed in close succession. It is possible, therefore, that Matthew may have omitted to mention the occasion related by Luke. However, on this subject, I am unwilling to debate with anyone.

As John also taught his disciples. John delivered to his disciples a particular form of prayer; and he did so, in my opinion, because the time required it. The state of affairs among the Jews was, at that time, exceedingly corrupted. Everything connected with religion had so miserably fallen that we need not be surprised to find few among them by whom prayer was offered in a proper manner.⁴³⁰ Besides, it was fitting that the minds of believers should be stirred by prayer to hope for and desire the promised redemption, which was at hand. John might, therefore, have gathered from various passages of Scripture a particular prayer adapted to the time, and more closely approaching the spiritual kingdom of Christ, which had already begun to be revealed.

⁴²⁹ “Il est incertain si Christ a enseigne ceste formule de prier a ses disciples une fois seulement, ou bien par deux diverses fois.” — “It is uncertain if Christ taught this form of prayer to his disciples once only, or rather at two separate times.”.” — “It is uncertain if Christ taught this form of prayer to his disciples once only, or rather at two separate times.”

⁴³⁰ “Il ne se faut pas fort esbahir si la vraye et pure maniere de prier estoit pratiquee par bien peu de gens.” — “We ought not to be greatly surprised, if the true and pure manner of praying was practiced by very few people.”.” — “We ought not to be greatly surprised, if the true and pure manner of praying was practiced by very few people.”