Bible Commentaries
Luke 11

Verse 1

1.

One time Jesus was praying in a certain place. Luke does not tell where or when this happened. But it seems to tie in with the Sermon on the Mount. Lord, teach us to pray. Matthew gives this “model prayer” in Matthew 6:9-13. See notes there.

Verses 5-8

5–8.

Friend, let me borrow three loaves of bread. Jesus gave this parable to teach that we should not be ashamed to keep on asking God for what we need. Compare Matthew 7:7-11; also the parable of the Widow and the Judge, Luke 18:1-8. My children and I are in bed. He cannot get up without waking them up. Because you are not ashamed to keep on asking. How much more we ought to EXPECT from our Father in heaven!

Verses 9-13

9–13.

Ask, and you will receive. See note on Matthew 7:7-11. Luke does not give a “chronological history,” and these events are “out of sequence.” Will give the Holy Spirit. Matthew says: “good things. “ The Holy Spirit is the best possible gift. Compare John 3:5; John 7:37-39; Acts 2:38.

Verses 14-26

14–26.

It is Beelzebul . . . who gives him the power. See notes on Matthew 12:22-29; Matthew 12:43-45. This conversation took place in Galilee.

Verses 27-28

27–28.

How happy is the woman. This woman who speaks, comes closer to the worship of the human mother of Christ, than anyone else in the New Testament. Jesus rebukes her, and points out that it is not his human mother, but rather those who hear the word of God and obey it, who are HAPPY. [On the meaning of “happy,” see note on Matthew 5:3.]

Verses 29-32

29–32. They ask for a miracle. See notes on Matthew 12:38-42.

Verses 33-36

33–36.

And then hides it. See notes on Matthew 5:15; Matthew 6:22-23. If, then, your whole body is full of light. Symbolic of the Christian’s influence. See Matthew 5:16. Also symbolic of eternal glory (Matthew 13:43).

Verses 37-38

37–38.

A Pharisee invited him to eat with him. Jesus did not hesitate to mix with all classes of people. Was surprised when he noticed. The Jews had a special ritual for washing their hands. Jesus had not followed this ritual before eating. See notes on Matthew 15:2; Mark 7:2-5.

Verses 39-52

39–52.

So the Lord said to him. Jesus may have said this more than once. See notes on a similar lesson in Matthew 23:1-36. Luke 11:41 is only given by Luke. The Jewish leaders hated everybody who was not a part of their own group, especially the poor. Compare what Jesus taught in Matthew 25:31-46. You are like unmarked graves. Touching a grave made a person “ritually unclean,” so graves were whitewashed just before Feast Days, so they could be clearly seen. You make fine tombs. See note on Matthew 23:29-30. You have kept the key. They did this by teaching lies which prevent people from believing in Christ. Compare Matthew 23:13 and note there; also 1 Thessalonians 2:15-16.

Verses 53-54

53–54.

Trying to lay traps for him. Compare Matthew 22:0; John 8:10, for details of how they tried to trap Jesus.