Luke 11:3

KJV

Give us day by day our daily bread.

KJV (with Strong's)

Give {G1325} us {G2254} day {G2596} by day {G2250} our {G2257} daily {G1967} bread {G740}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Give us each day the food we need.

Berean Standard Bible

Give us each day our daily bread.

American Standard Version

Give us day by day our daily bread.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 11:3, a core petition within the prayer Jesus taught His disciples, encapsulates a profound theological truth about human dependence on divine provision. This verse instructs believers to seek God for their essential needs on a continuous, day-by-day basis, fostering a posture of humility, trust, and present-moment reliance on His unfailing care for both physical sustenance and all that is necessary for life.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This petition is part of the "Lord's Prayer" as recorded in [Luke 11:2-4](/luke/11-2-4 "Luke 11:2-4 - The Lord's Prayer"). It immediately follows the hallowing of God's name and the petition for the coming of His kingdom, demonstrating a logical progression from reverencing God and His sovereign will to seeking His provision for human needs. While a parallel account exists in [Matthew 6:9-13](/matthew/6-9-13 "Matthew 6:9-13 - The Lord's Prayer"), Luke's version is notably more concise, emphasizing the core elements of prayer. The prayer itself is prompted by a disciple's request, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples" ([Luke 11:1](/luke/11-1 "Luke 11:1 - Disciples ask Jesus to teach them to pray")), indicating Jesus' desire to provide a model for consistent, dependent communion with God.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In first-century Judea, daily life was largely agrarian, and most people lived hand-to-mouth, with little surplus. The concept of "daily bread" was not merely metaphorical; it represented the literal, immediate need for sustenance in a society where food security was precarious. People often ground grain daily for their bread, highlighting the constant effort and dependence on God's blessing for each day's provisions. This cultural reality underscores the petition's emphasis on immediate, rather than long-term, provision. Furthermore, Jewish prayer traditions often included petitions for daily needs, but Jesus' teaching refines this by emphasizing a humble, trusting dependence that avoids anxious hoarding, echoing the wilderness experience of manna provided "day by day" ([Exodus 16:4](/exodus/16-4 "Exodus 16:4 - God provides manna daily")).

* **Key Themes:** Luke 11:3 contributes significantly to several key themes within Jesus' teaching and the broader New Testament. Firstly, it highlights **Daily Dependence on God**, teaching believers to live in continuous reliance on God for all necessities, rather than accumulating or worrying about the future, a theme further developed in Jesus' instruction not to worry about tomorrow in [Matthew 6:34](/matthew/6-34 "Matthew 6:34 - Do not worry about tomorrow"). Secondly, it underscores **God's Faithful Provision**, acknowledging Him as the ultimate source of all good things, not just physical food but everything required for life and well-being, aligning with the promise that God will supply all needs according to His riches in glory ([Philippians 4:19](/philippians/4-19 "Philippians 4:19 - God will supply all your needs")). Thirdly, the use of "us" and "our" emphasizes the **Communal Nature of Prayer and Provision**, encouraging believers to pray not only for their individual needs but also for the needs of the wider community, fostering solidarity and mutual care within the body of Christ.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Give (Greek, _dídōmi'_):** This verb signifies a direct, active bestowal or granting. In the context of prayer, it emphasizes God as the benevolent Giver, the one who actively provides. It is not a passive reception but a request for God to initiate and supply. The breadth of its meaning, as "to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively)," suggests that the petition for "bread" extends beyond mere physical sustenance to encompass all that God might bestow for well-being.
* **Daily (Greek, _epioúsios'_):** This is a unique and much-debated word in the New Testament, appearing only in the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:11; Luke 11:3). While its precise etymology is uncertain, the most widely accepted interpretations point to "sufficient for subsistence" or "for the coming day." This ambiguity, however, does not diminish its core meaning: a request for immediate, necessary, and sufficient provision, whether for the current day or the very next, reinforcing a posture of moment-by-moment dependence rather than long-term hoarding or anxious planning.
* **Bread (Greek, _ártos'_):** While literally referring to a loaf of bread, in ancient Near Eastern culture, "bread" often served as a metonymy for all essential provisions for life. It represents not just food, but shelter, clothing, health, and all the basic necessities required for daily existence and well-being. This broad understanding transforms the petition from a narrow request for food into a comprehensive plea for God to meet all of life's fundamental needs.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Give us":** This opening phrase establishes the nature of the prayer as a humble, direct petition to God. The imperative "Give" highlights God's role as the active provider, while the plural pronoun "us" underscores the communal dimension of this prayer. It is not merely an individual asking for personal provision, but a collective body of believers acknowledging their shared dependence on God and praying for one another's well-being. This fosters a sense of solidarity and mutual care within the community.
* **"day by day":** This phrase, a literal translation of the Greek, emphasizes the continuous, ongoing nature of the request and the provision. It is not a one-time request for a lifetime's supply, but a daily, persistent acknowledgment of dependence. This repetition reinforces the idea of living in the present, trusting God for each new day's needs, and serves as an antidote to anxiety about the future, aligning with Jesus' teaching against worrying about tomorrow. It cultivates a rhythm of daily reliance and gratitude.
* **"our daily bread":** This climactic part of the petition combines the communal "our" with the unique "daily" (epioúsios) and the comprehensive "bread." "Our" reiterates the shared need and communal prayer. "Daily" points to the sufficiency and immediacy of the provision, enough for the present or imminent future, without excess. And "bread," as discussed in the key word analysis, signifies all the basic necessities for life. Together, the phrase encapsulates a request for God to provide all that is truly needed, moment by moment, for the sustenance and well-being of the entire community of believers.

#### Literary Devices
The petition in Luke 11:3 employs several powerful literary devices. Firstly, it is a direct **Petition**, a straightforward request that highlights the nature of prayer as a humble appeal to a sovereign Giver. Secondly, **Metonymy** is evident in the use of "bread" to represent all the necessities of life. While literally food, "bread" stands in for shelter, clothing, health, and overall well-being, broadening the scope of the prayer significantly. Thirdly, the phrase "day by day" utilizes **Repetition** to emphasize the continuous and immediate nature of both the need and the divine provision, reinforcing the theme of persistent dependence. Finally, the consistent use of **Communal Language** ("us," "our") underscores the corporate dimension of the prayer, turning an individual's need into a shared concern for the entire community of believers.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This petition profoundly shapes our understanding of God's character and humanity's posture before Him. It portrays God as a loving, faithful, and ever-present Provider who delights in sustaining His children. It teaches us that true security is found not in accumulated wealth or self-sufficiency, but in a daily, humble reliance on God's grace. This dependence counters the human tendency towards anxiety and hoarding, cultivating instead a spirit of contentment and gratitude for what is sufficient for the present moment. The communal "us" further expands this theological truth, reminding believers that God's provision is often mediated through the community, calling us to generosity and mutual care, reflecting His own character of abundance and sharing.

* [Matthew 6:34](/matthew/6-34 "Matthew 6:34 - Do not worry about tomorrow")
* [Philippians 4:19](/philippians/4-19 "Philippians 4:19 - God will supply your needs")
* [Exodus 16:4](/exodus/16-4 "Exodus 16:4 - God's daily provision of manna")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 11:3 invites believers into a rhythm of profound trust and daily surrender. In a world often driven by accumulation, anxiety about the future, and a relentless pursuit of self-sufficiency, this prayer serves as a radical counter-cultural discipline. It calls us to lay down our worries and anxieties at the feet of a faithful God, trusting that He knows our needs and will provide for them, day by day. This doesn't negate responsible planning, but it reorients our hearts to prioritize divine provision over human striving. Practically, it encourages contentment with sufficiency rather than a restless pursuit of abundance, and it challenges us to view our resources not as solely for ourselves, but as gifts from God to be shared within the "us" of the community, especially with those who lack. It cultivates a spirit of gratitude for the simple, essential provisions that often go unnoticed.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does praying for "daily bread" challenge my tendency to worry about the future or hoard resources?**
* **In what ways can I practically demonstrate my daily dependence on God beyond just physical sustenance?**
* **How does the "us" in this petition influence my perspective on personal needs versus communal needs, and what action might that prompt?**
* **What does "daily bread" mean for me spiritually, beyond just physical provision?**

### FAQ
**What does "daily bread" truly mean, and is it only about physical food?**

Answer: The Greek word translated "daily" (epioúsios) is unique to the Lord's Prayer, leading to scholarly debate. While some interpret it as "bread for the coming day," the most widely accepted understanding is "sufficient for our subsistence" or "necessary for existence." Therefore, "daily bread" primarily refers to the immediate, necessary provisions for life. While it certainly includes physical food, in ancient Near Eastern culture, "bread" often served as a comprehensive term for all essential needs for survival and well-being, including shelter, clothing, and health. Thus, the petition is a holistic request for God to supply all that is truly necessary for our daily lives, both physically and, by extension, spiritually.

**Why does Jesus teach us to ask for "day by day" provision rather than for a longer period or a lifetime?**

Answer: The emphasis on "day by day" (Greek: kath' hēmeran) is crucial for cultivating a posture of continuous dependence and trust in God. It directly counters the human tendency to worry about the future or to accumulate excessively. By asking for daily provision, believers are encouraged to live in the present moment, relying on God's faithfulness for each new day. This echoes the Old Testament account of God providing manna to the Israelites in the wilderness on a daily basis, with instructions not to hoard it ([Exodus 16:4](/exodus/16-4 "Exodus 16:4 - Manna provided daily")). It fosters humility, contentment, and a constant awareness of God as the immediate source of all good things, aligning with Jesus' teaching in [Matthew 6:34](/matthew/6-34 "Matthew 6:34 - Do not worry about tomorrow") not to be anxious about tomorrow.

**Is this prayer just for individuals, or does it have a communal aspect?**

Answer: The use of the plural pronouns "us" and "our" in "Give **us** day by day **our** daily bread" strongly emphasizes the communal aspect of this petition. It is not merely an individual asking for personal sustenance, but a collective body of believers praying for the shared needs of the entire community. This highlights the interconnectedness of believers and encourages a spirit of generosity and mutual care. When we pray this, we are not only asking God to meet our own needs but also the needs of our brothers and sisters in Christ, and indeed, all people, reflecting God's desire for all to have their basic needs met. It reminds us that God's provision is often channeled through His people, calling us to be instruments of His generosity to one another.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The petition for "daily bread" finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who declared Himself to be the "Bread of Life." While the prayer addresses our physical needs, it inherently points to a deeper spiritual hunger that only Christ can satisfy. In [John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life"), Jesus states, "I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst." This spiritual bread is not consumed once, but is a continuous, daily nourishment for the soul, echoing the "day by day" nature of the petition. Just as physical bread sustains our bodies, Christ's presence, His Word, and His Spirit sustain our spiritual lives. Furthermore, His ultimate act of provision on the cross, where He gave His body, is the truest "daily bread" for our salvation and eternal life, as He said, "I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world" ([John 6:51](/john/6-51 "John 6:51 - Jesus gives His flesh for the life of the world")). Thus, the prayer for daily bread, while seemingly mundane, ultimately directs our hearts to the one who is our complete and sufficient provision for every need, both temporal and eternal.

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

Matthew 6:11

Give us this day our daily bread.

Matthew 6:34

Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day [is] the evil thereof.

Proverbs 30:8

Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me:

Exodus 16:15

And when the children of Israel saw [it], they said one to another, It [is] manna: for they wist not what it [was]. And Moses said unto them, This [is] the bread which the LORD hath given you to eat.

Exodus 16:22

¶ And it came to pass, [that] on the sixth day they gathered twice as much bread, two omers for one [man]: and all the rulers of the congregation came and told Moses.

John 6:27

Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.

John 6:33

For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.