Luke 11:1
And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 30
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐγένετο
it came to pass
G1096
ἐγένετο
it came to pass
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
2 of 30
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτοῦ
he
G846
αὐτοῦ
he
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
6 of 30
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
τόπῳ
place
G5117
τόπῳ
place
Strong's:
G5117
Word #:
8 of 30
a spot (general in space, but limited by occupancy; whereas g5561 is a large but participle locality), i.e., location (as a position, home, tract, etc
ὡς
when
G5613
ὡς
when
Strong's:
G5613
Word #:
11 of 30
which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
ἐπαύσατο
he ceased
G3973
ἐπαύσατο
he ceased
Strong's:
G3973
Word #:
12 of 30
to stop (transitively or intransitively), i.e., restrain, quit, desist, come to an end
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτοῦ
he
G846
αὐτοῦ
he
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
17 of 30
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
πρὸς
unto
G4314
πρὸς
unto
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
18 of 30
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
αὐτοῦ
he
G846
αὐτοῦ
he
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
19 of 30
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
Κύριε
Lord
G2962
Κύριε
Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
20 of 30
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
25 of 30
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Cross References
Psalms 19:14Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.Luke 6:12And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.Jude 1:20But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,Luke 9:18And it came to pass, as he was alone praying, his disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, Whom say the people that I am?Luke 9:28And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray.Psalms 10:17LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear:Hebrews 5:7Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;
Historical Context
First-century Judaism had three daily prayer times (morning, afternoon, evening) with fixed liturgical prayers like the Shema and the Eighteen Benedictions. Rabbis often composed distinctive prayers for their disciples. Jesus's emphasis on direct, familial address to God (Abba) was revolutionary in this context.
Questions for Reflection
- How does your prayer life reflect a desire to be taught by Jesus, rather than relying on formulas?
- What aspects of Jesus's own prayer habits (solitude, persistence, intimacy with the Father) challenge your current practice?
- How does addressing God as Father (Abba) transform the nature of your requests and relationship with Him?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Lord, teach us to pray (Κύριε, δίδαξον ἡμᾶς προσεύχεσθαι, Kyrie, didaxon hēmas proseuchesthai)—The disciples' request reveals the rabbinical context where each teacher had distinctive prayers for his followers. John the Baptist taught his disciples specific prayers; now Jesus's followers desire their own instruction in prayer.
The Greek verb didaxon (teach, instruct) implies systematic, authoritative instruction, not mere casual advice. This request led to the Lord's Prayer (Luke's version being shorter than Matthew's Sermon on the Mount account), establishing the pattern for Christian prayer: address to the Father, hallowing His name, seeking His kingdom, requesting provision, forgiveness, and protection. The setting—as he was praying—suggests the disciples witnessed Jesus's prayer life firsthand, compelling them to seek the same intimacy with the Father.