Luke 11:1

KJV

¶ 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} it came to pass {G1096}, that, as {G1722} he {G846} was {G1511} praying {G4336} in {G1722} a certain {G5100} place {G5117}, when {G5613} he ceased {G3973}, one {G5100} of his {G846} disciples {G3101} said {G2036} unto {G4314} him {G846}, Lord {G2962}, teach {G1321} us {G2248} to pray {G4336}, as {G2531} John {G2491} also {G2532} taught {G1321} his {G846} disciples {G3101}.

Complete Jewish Bible

One time Yeshua was in a certain place praying. As he finished, one of the talmidim said to him, “Sir, teach us to pray, just as Yochanan taught his talmidim.”

Berean Standard Bible

One day in a place where Jesus had just finished praying, one of His disciples requested, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 11:1 captures a pivotal moment where, after observing Jesus in prayer, one of His disciples requests, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples." This simple yet profound plea sets the stage for Jesus's foundational teaching on prayer, highlighting the disciples' recognition of Jesus's unique communion with God and their desire to emulate His spiritual discipline and intimacy.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows a section in Luke 10 where Jesus sends out the seventy-two disciples and celebrates their successful return, culminating in His own prayer of thanksgiving to the Father ([Luke 10:21-22](/luke/10-21-22 "Jesus's Prayer of Thanksgiving to the Father")). The transition from Jesus's public ministry and private rejoicing to His personal prayer life underscores the source of His power and wisdom. Luke's Gospel consistently portrays Jesus as a man of prayer, frequently withdrawing to commune with God before significant events or after intense ministry, as seen in [Luke 5:16](/luke/5-16 "Jesus Often Withdraws to Pray") and [Luke 6:12](/luke/6-12 "Jesus Prays Before Choosing Disciples"). The disciples' request in [Luke 11:1](/luke/11-1 "Disciples Ask Jesus to Teach Them to Pray") is therefore a natural response to observing this consistent, powerful aspect of their Master's life, leading directly into Jesus's teaching on the Lord's Prayer and parables on persistent prayer in [Luke 11:2-13](/luke/11-2-13 "Jesus Teaches on Prayer and Persistence").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the first century, prayer was a central component of Jewish religious life. Various Jewish groups, including the Pharisees and the disciples of John the Baptist, had specific prayer practices and traditions. John the Baptist, as a prominent spiritual leader, would have naturally instructed his followers in prayer, likely providing them with particular prayers or methods that distinguished them as his disciples. The disciples' request to Jesus ("as John also taught his disciples") reflects this cultural norm, indicating their desire for a distinct, authoritative teaching on prayer from their own Master, akin to what other spiritual movements offered. This was not merely a request for words to recite, but for a way of life, a spiritual discipline that would define their identity as followers of Jesus.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within Luke's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it emphasizes **The Example of Jesus's Prayer Life**, presenting Jesus's consistent communion with God as a model for all believers, inspiring them to seek a deeper relationship with the Father. Secondly, it highlights **The Desire for Spiritual Instruction and Growth**, as the disciples humbly recognize their need for guidance in a fundamental spiritual discipline, underscoring that prayer is both an innate longing and a learned art. Thirdly, it illustrates the dynamic of **Discipleship and Emulation**, where followers observe their teacher and seek to internalize and practice His ways, inviting them into a deeper intimacy with God through the Master's teaching. Finally, the very act of asking to be taught to pray underscores **The Centrality and Importance of Prayer** in the life of a believer and in cultivating a vibrant relationship with God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **came to pass (Greek, _gínomai'_):** This common Greek verb signifies "to come into being," "to happen," or "to occur." In this context, it functions as a narrative marker, indicating a transition or the unfolding of an event. It simply sets the scene for the subsequent action, emphasizing that the disciples' observation and request were a real, unfolding event in time.
* **praying (Greek, _proseúchomai'_):** This verb specifically means "to pray to God," encompassing acts of supplication, worship, and intimate communion with the divine. It implies more than mere recitation; it denotes an earnest, focused engagement with God, reflecting a deep spiritual connection. The ongoing nature of Jesus's prayer ("was praying") highlights His consistent and devoted practice.
* **teach (Greek, _didáskō'_):** This verb means "to teach" in a broad sense, encompassing instruction, guidance, and imparting knowledge or skill. The disciples' use of this word indicates a desire not just for a prayer, but for a method, a spirit, and an understanding of how to engage in this profound spiritual exercise effectively, reflecting a longing for the kind of spiritual power and peace they observed in Jesus.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place,"**: This opening clause establishes the setting and the primary action. Jesus is engaged in His characteristic practice of prayer, withdrawing to a private location. The phrase "it came to pass" is a common Lukan transition, signaling the unfolding of the narrative. The continuous tense of "was praying" emphasizes Jesus's consistent and ongoing communion with God, which the disciples observed.
* **"when he ceased,"**: This indicates the completion of Jesus's prayer. It's at the conclusion of His personal time with God that the disciples feel prompted to approach Him. The observation of Jesus *finishing* His prayer, rather than interrupting it, suggests a respectful and opportune moment for their request.
* **"one of his disciples said unto him,"**: This highlights the initiative taken by a single, unnamed disciple, acting as a representative for the group or expressing a shared sentiment. This detail underscores the personal impact of Jesus's prayer life on His followers, leading to a direct and earnest inquiry.
* **"Lord, teach us to pray,"**: This is the core request. The address "Lord" (Greek, _kýrios'_) signifies respect and recognition of Jesus's authority and mastery. The plea "teach us to pray" is not for a simple formula, but for instruction in the discipline, spirit, and efficacy of prayer, desiring to replicate the depth of communion they witnessed in Jesus.
* **"as John also taught his disciples."**: This comparative phrase provides cultural context and adds weight to their request. It acknowledges that other spiritual leaders, like John the Baptist, provided specific instruction in prayer to their followers. The disciples of Jesus desire similar foundational guidance, indicating their recognition of prayer as a defining practice for a spiritual community.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 11:1 employs several significant literary devices. The most prominent is **Characterization**, as Jesus is portrayed through His consistent practice of prayer, reinforcing His image as deeply connected to the Father, a recurring motif in Luke's Gospel. The disciples' observation and subsequent request serve as a narrative **Catalyst**, directly leading into Jesus's seminal teaching on prayer, which includes the Lord's Prayer. The phrase "And it came to pass" functions as a **Formulaic Opening**, characteristic of Lukan narrative style, signaling the unfolding of a significant event. Furthermore, the disciples' reference to John the Baptist's teaching creates a **Parallelism** or **Contrast**, implicitly setting Jesus's teaching apart as superior or more profound, while simultaneously grounding the request in a culturally understandable framework of spiritual instruction. This verse also uses subtle **Foreshadowing**, hinting at the profound and transformative lessons on prayer that Jesus is about to impart, moving beyond mere ritual to intimate relationship.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 11:1 serves as a profound theological gateway, emphasizing that prayer is not merely a religious duty but a vital, learned discipline stemming from an observed relationship with God. The disciples' request reveals a deep spiritual hunger, recognizing that Jesus's unique power and peace were intimately linked to His communion with the Father. This highlights the accessibility of God through prayer and the necessity of intentional instruction in this spiritual art. It underscores that true discipleship involves not just hearing Jesus's words, but emulating His life, especially His devotional practices. The verse sets the stage for the Lord's Prayer, revealing God's desire for His children to approach Him with both reverence and intimacy, trusting in His provision and forgiveness.

* [Matthew 6:5-15](/matthew/6-5-15 "Jesus Teaches on Prayer and the Lord's Prayer")
* [Romans 8:26-27](/romans/8-26-27 "The Spirit Helps Us in Prayer")
* [Philippians 4:6-7](/philippians/4-6-7 "Do Not Be Anxious, But Pray")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The disciples' humble request in Luke 11:1 offers a timeless invitation for believers today to re-evaluate and deepen their own prayer lives. Just as they observed Jesus's consistent and powerful communion with the Father, we are called to be inspired by His example, recognizing that a vibrant relationship with God is cultivated through intentional and persistent prayer. This verse encourages us to acknowledge our own need for growth in this essential spiritual discipline, reminding us that prayer is not always intuitive but often requires instruction, practice, and a humble willingness to learn. It challenges us to move beyond rote recitation to a genuine, intimate conversation with our Heavenly Father, seeking His presence, guidance, and power in every aspect of our lives.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does Jesus's consistent practice of prayer teach me about its importance in my own life?**
* **In what areas of my prayer life do I feel the need for deeper instruction or growth, similar to the disciples' request?**
* **How can I cultivate a more intentional and intimate communion with God, moving beyond mere duty to genuine relationship?**
* **What practical steps can I take this week to prioritize and enrich my prayer time?**

### FAQ
**Why did the disciples need to be taught to pray if they were with Jesus?**

Answer: The disciples, though constantly with Jesus, observed something profoundly different and powerful in His prayer life that transcended the common Jewish prayer practices of their time. While they were familiar with traditional prayers and synagogue worship, Jesus's communion with the Father was unique in its intimacy, authority, and efficacy. Their request, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples," indicates a desire not just for a new prayer, but for the *spirit* and *method* of prayer that Jesus embodied. They sought to learn how to approach God with the same confidence and intimacy that Jesus demonstrated, leading directly to Jesus's teaching on the [Lord's Prayer](/luke/11-2-4 "The Lord's Prayer") and parables on persistent prayer in [Luke 11:5-13](/luke/11-5-13 "Parables on Persistent Prayer"). It highlights that prayer is both a natural human impulse and a spiritual discipline that can be deepened through instruction and emulation of godly examples.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 11:1, while seemingly a simple request for instruction, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in several ways. Firstly, Jesus Himself is the ultimate answer to the disciples' plea. He is not merely a teacher of prayer, but the very embodiment of perfect communion with the Father. His prayer life, consistently highlighted in Luke's Gospel (e.g., [Luke 5:16](/luke/5-16 "Jesus Withdraws to Pray"), [Luke 6:12](/luke/6-12 "Jesus Prays Before Choosing Disciples")), reveals the ideal relationship between God and humanity. Secondly, the teaching that follows this request, the [Lord's Prayer](/luke/11-2-4 "The Lord's Prayer"), is a direct revelation of the Father's heart and how believers, through Christ, can now approach Him as "Our Father." This new access to God is made possible only through Jesus's atoning work, establishing a new covenant where believers are adopted as children of God ([Galatians 4:6-7](/galatians/4-6-7 "Sons and Heirs Through Christ")). Furthermore, Jesus fulfills the role of the ultimate intercessor, continually praying for His disciples ([Romans 8:34](/romans/8-34 "Christ Intercedes for Us"), [Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Jesus Always Lives to Make Intercession")), demonstrating the very essence of the prayer life He taught. Thus, the desire to pray like Jesus ultimately leads to a deeper reliance on and relationship with Christ, who is both our Teacher and our High Priest, enabling our access to the Father.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 19:14

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

Jude 1:20

But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,

Luke 22:39

¶ And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him.

Luke 22:45

And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow,

Luke 6:12

¶ And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.

Romans 8:26

¶ Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

Romans 8:27

And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what [is] the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to [the will of] God.