Bible Commentaries
Luke 11

Verse 1

1 Teach us to pray. Some people would disapprove the idea of exercises for the training in prayer, yet Jesus endorsed the request of this disciple by doing the very thing he asked for. If disciples of Christ would put in some time studying and preparing themselves for prayer, there might be fewer unscriptural efforts performed.

Verse 2

4 For comments on this prayer see those at Mat 6:9-13. 8

Verse 5

7 This parable compares an earthly friend with the disciple who wanted to know how to pray. The outcome of a proper prayer is the lesson of the illustration.

Verse 8

8 No illustration is intended to apply at all angles. God is not to be regarded as this householder is described, for that is not the point of the parable. The comparison is in the word importunity which means persistence. We are taught to have a faith that will not shrink because we do not receive what we think we need, or do not receive it as soon as desired.

Verse 9

3 This paragraph is explained in detail at Mat 7:7-11, which is a part of the "sermon on the mount" delivered to the disciples.

Verse 14

4 It was dumb means the devil had caused the person to be dumb, for after it was cast out the dumb spake. Being possessed with a devil did not affect all people alike, the reason for which is not given in the scripture.

Verse 15

5 See the comments at Mat 12:24.

Verse 16

6 These people were clamoring for some miracle that they imagined would be a test of the power of Jesus. Their motive was a desire to tempt the Lord.

Verse 17

8 This is explained at Mat 12:25-26.

Verse 19

9 See the explanation at Mat 12:27.

Verse 20

0 Explained at Mat 12:28.

Verse 21

2 See the comments on Mat 12:29.

Verse 23

3 There is no "neutral" ground in matters of right and wrong. Regardless of how inactive a man may be, if he is not active for Christ he is his enemy.

Verse 24

6 This unusual passage is explained at Mat 12:43-44.

Verse 27

7 This woman meant that the mother of Jesus was to be considered in a special sense. The Ro-manists make a great ado about the Virgin just as this woman did, except she did not even suggest that any worship should be offered to her.

Verse 28

8 Jesus did not go even to the extent of endorsing what the woman said, but stated what he would rather be done, which was to keep the word of God.

Verse 29

9 Because it was an evil generation, Jesus refused to perform any miracle at the time. However, he was willing to stake his reputation as a true prophet on an event yet to come.

Verse 30

0. Thayer defines the original for sign, "A sign, prodigy, portent," and he explains his definition to mean "an unusual occurence, transcending [going beyond] the common course of nature." Jonah lived three days and three nights in the belly of the fish, which was certainly something unusual. And Jesus predicted that he would be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth (Mat 12:40) and live again.

Verse 31

1 See the comments on Mat 12:42.

Verse 32

2 The point of the verse is one about responsibility based on opportunity. See the comments on Mat 12:41.

Verse 33

3 The common judgment shown by a man after lighting a candle, is used to compare that which disciples should show about their influence.

Verse 34

4 The natural eye is used for the same purpose as the candle in the preceding verse. A man has but one means of seeing and that is by his natural eye. If it is single (not defective) the owner will be able to see. Likewise, a man has only one life that he can live, and he should so conduct it that it will shed spiritual light upon the world about him.

Verse 35

5 This verse denotes that by an improper life, a man's influence will be turned into one that is for evil or spiritual darkness. (See Rom 14:16.)

Verse 36

6 This verse has a thought similar to verse 23. A man is counted either for or against Christ. His influence is either one of darkness or of light.

Verse 37

7 Jesus accepted the invitation to dine with the Pharisee, which was not considered strange since they both were Jews. Went in and sat down to meat, indicates that he did this without any previous ceremony.

Verse 38

9 The Pharisee was surprised that Jesus did not wash before coming to the table. This does not refer to ordinary cleanliness, but to a ritual the Jews had that was a mere formality. Jesus knew the mind of the Pharisee and accused him and his class of hypocrisy in the exercise of their formalities.

Verse 40

0 It is true that God made the outward man and wants him to be kept clean. But he also made the inner man and requires that he be kept clean, which means that he should not be defiled with pride of tradition and with acts of hypocrisy.

Verse 41

1 If we are helpful toward others with our good things of life, we will be edifying the inner man and will need have no fears of harm from imaginary defilement.

Verse 42

2 See the comments at Mat 23:23 for explanation of this verse.

Verse 43

3 These uppermost seats were the front pews that faced the audience. The markets were public gathering places, and these Pharisees craved special attention there.

Verse 44

4 Appear not means that the use being made of them is not apparent. Men walking over or about them do not realize that corruption is contained within. Jesus used the fact to compare the hypocrite trying to hide his wickedness.

Verse 45

5 Thus saying refers to the general denunciation Jesus has been uttering against leaders among the Jews. The lawyer may have thought he would bring an apology from Jesus by complaining in this way, relying, perhaps, on the dignity of his profession.

Verse 46

6 With one of your fingers is a figure of speech, for a burden that could be moved with one finger would not be very heavy. It means they were not willing to exert themselves in the least toward practicing the commandments of the law.

Verse 47

7 The Jews were influenced much by the traditional respect for their forefathers. The devotion to their sepulchres indicated a sentimental feeling for them, and this notwithstanding their guilt of having murdered the prophets.

Verse 48

8 Jesus verifies the remarks on the preceding verse.

Verse 49

1 This is explained at Mat 23:34-36.

Verse 52

2 Key is from KLEIS, and Thayer explains it to mean, "the ability and opportunity to obtain knowledge." Robinson gives virtually the same comment. Entered not in, etc. They were not willing to accept the truth nor let others have it.

Verse 53

3 Urge him means to irritate him in the hope of provoking him to say many things in reply to them.

Verse 54

4 Their motive was to lead Jesus into saying something that would be subject to criticism. Had he done this, they would have gone to the authorities with it.