KJV
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.
2And he said unto them, ‹When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.›
3‹Give us day by day our daily bread.›
4‹And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.›
5And he said unto them, ‹Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves;›
6‹For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him?›
7‹And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee.›
8‹I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.›
9‹And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.›
10‹For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.›
11‹If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if› [he ask] ‹a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?›
12‹Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?›
13‹If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall› [your] ‹heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?›
14¶ And he was casting out a devil, and it was dumb. And it came to pass, when the devil was gone out, the dumb spake; and the people wondered.
15But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils.
16And others, tempting [him], sought of him a sign from heaven.
17But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, ‹Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house› [divided] ‹against a house falleth.›
18‹If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub.›
19‹And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast› [them] ‹out? therefore shall they be your judges.›
20‹But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.›
21‹When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace:›
22‹But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils.›
23‹He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.›
24‹When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out.›
25‹And when he cometh, he findeth› [it] ‹swept and garnished.›
26‹Then goeth he, and taketh› [to him] ‹seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last› [state] ‹of that man is worse than the first.›
27¶ And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed [is] the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked.
28But he said, ‹Yea rather, blessed› [are] ‹they that hear the word of God, and keep it.›
29¶ And when the people were gathered thick together, he began to say, ‹This is an evil generation: they seek a sign; and there shall no sign be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet.›
30‹For as Jonas was a sign unto the Ninevites, so shall also the Son of man be to this generation.›
31‹The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and condemn them: for she came from the utmost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon› [is] ‹here.›
32‹The men of Nineve shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas› [is] ‹here.›
33‹No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth› [it] ‹in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light.›
34‹The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when› [thine eye] ‹is evil, thy body also› [is] ‹full of darkness.›
35‹Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness.›
36‹If thy whole body therefore› [be] ‹full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light.›
37¶ And as he spake, a certain Pharisee besought him to dine with him: and he went in, and sat down to meat.
38And when the Pharisee saw [it], he marvelled that he had not first washed before dinner.
39And the Lord said unto him, ‹Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness.›
40[Ye] ‹fools, did not he that made that which is without make that which is within also?›
41‹But rather give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you.›
42‹But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.›
43‹Woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets.›
44‹Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are as graves which appear not, and the men that walk over› [them] ‹are not aware› [of them].
45Then answered one of the lawyers, and said unto him, Master, thus saying thou reproachest us also.
46And he said, ‹Woe unto you also,› [ye] ‹lawyers! for ye lade men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers.›
47‹Woe unto you! for ye build the sepulchres of the prophets, and your fathers killed them.›
48‹Truly ye bear witness that ye allow the deeds of your fathers: for they indeed killed them, and ye build their sepulchres.›
49‹Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and› [some] ‹of them they shall slay and persecute:›
50‹That the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation;›
51‹From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, which perished between the altar and the temple: verily I say unto you, It shall be required of this generation.›
52‹Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.›
53And as he said these things unto them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to urge [him] vehemently, and to provoke him to speak of many things:
54Laying wait for him, and seeking to catch something out of his mouth, that they might accuse him.
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Abel: Son of Adam: Death of Luke 11:51
from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, all of it will be charged to this generation.
Ablution: General Scriptures Concerning Luke 11:38
But the Pharisee was surprised to see that Jesus did not first wash before the meal.
Ablution: Traditional Forms of, not Observed by Jesus Luke 11:38, 39
But the Pharisee was surprised to see that Jesus did not first wash before the meal. / “Now then,” said the Lord, “you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness.
Alms: Commandments and Practices Concerning Luke 11:41
But give as alms the things that are within you, and you will see that everything is clean for you.
Ambition: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Luke 11:43
Woe to you Pharisees! You love the chief seats in the synagogues and the greetings in the marketplaces.
Angel (A Spirit): A Celestial Spirit are Obedient Luke 11:2
So Jesus told them, “When you pray, say: ‘Father, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come.
Apologizing to One Another Luke 11:4
And forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.’”
Apostasy: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Luke 11:24–26
When an unclean spirit comes out of a man, it passes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ / On its return, it finds the house swept clean and put in order. / Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and dwell there. And the final plight of that man is worse than the first.”
Ask and you Shall Receive Luke 11:13
So if you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”
Backsliders: General Scriptures Concerning Luke 11:21–26
When a strong man, fully armed, guards his house, his possessions are secure. / But when someone stronger attacks and overpowers him, he takes away the armor in which the man trusted, and then he divides up his plunder. / He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters.
Beds used for Sleeping On Luke 11:7
And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Do not bother me. My door is already shut, and my children and I are in bed. I cannot get up to give you anything.’
Beelzebub: The Prince of Devils Luke 11:15, 18, 19
but some of them said, “It is by Beelzebul, the prince of the demons, that He drives out demons.” / If Satan is divided against himself, how can his kingdom stand? After all, you say that I drive out demons by Beelzebul. / And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons drive them out? So then, they will be your judges.
Being a Good Father Luke 11:11, 12
What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? / Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?
Being Prideful Luke 11:43
Woe to you Pharisees! You love the chief seats in the synagogues and the greetings in the marketplaces.
Beneficence: General Scriptures Concerning Luke 11:41
But give as alms the things that are within you, and you will see that everything is clean for you.
Bigotry of not Conforming to the Traditions Luke 11:38, 39
But the Pharisee was surprised to see that Jesus did not first wash before the meal. / “Now then,” said the Lord, “you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness.
Blindness: Spiritual Luke 11:52
Woe to you experts in the law! For you have taken away the key to knowledge. You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering.”
Breastfeeding Luke 11:27
As Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said, “Blessed is the womb that bore You, and blessed are the breasts that nursed You!”
Burden of Oppressions Luke 11:46
“Woe to you as well, experts in the law!” He replied. “You weigh men down with heavy burdens, but you yourselves will not lift a finger to lighten their load.
Burial: Sometimes not Apparent Luke 11:44
Woe to you! For you are like unmarked graves, which men walk over without even noticing.”
Burning Candles Luke 11:33
No one lights a lamp and puts it in a cellar or under a basket. Instead, he sets it on a stand, so those who enter can see the light.
Bushel: About One Peck Luke 11:33
No one lights a lamp and puts it in a cellar or under a basket. Instead, he sets it on a stand, so those who enter can see the light.
Christian Minister: False and Corrupt Luke 11:35, 46–52
Be careful, then, that the light within you is not darkness. / “Woe to you as well, experts in the law!” He replied. “You weigh men down with heavy burdens, but you yourselves will not lift a finger to lighten their load. / Woe to you experts in the law! For you have taken away the key to knowledge. You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering.”
Church Security Luke 11:21
When a strong man, fully armed, guards his house, his possessions are secure.
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Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
Pastoral and devotional reflections focused on spiritual formation and application.
Luke 11:1-4 Verses 1-4
"Lord, teach us to pray," is a good prayer, and a very needful one, for Jesus Christ only can teach us, by his word and Spirit, how to pray. Lord, teach me what it is to pray; Lord, stir up and quicken me to the duty; Lord, direct me what to pray for; teach me what I should say. Christ taught them a prayer, much the same that he had given before in his sermon upon the mount. There are some differences in the words of the Lord's prayer in Matthew and in Luke, but they are of no moment. Let us in our requests, both for others and for ourselves, come to our heavenly Father, confiding in his power and goodness.
Luke 11:5-13 Verses 5-13
Christ encourages fervency and constancy in prayer. We must come for what we need, as a man does to his neighbour or friend, who is kind to him. We must come for bread; for that which is needful. If God does not answer our prayers speedily, yet he will in due time, if we continue to pray. Observe what to pray for; we must ask for the Holy Spirit, not only as necessary in order to our praying well, but as all spiritual blessings are included in that one. For by the influences of the Holy Spirit we are brought to know God and ourselves, to repent, believe in, and love Christ, and so are made comfortable in this world, and meet for happiness in the next. All these blessings our heavenly Father is more ready to bestow on every one that asks for them, than an indulgent parent is to give food to a hungry child. And this is the advantage of the prayer of faith, that it quiets and establishes the heart in God.
Luke 11:14-26 Verses 14-26
Christ's thus casting out the devils, was really the destroying of their power. The heart of every unconverted sinner is the devil's palace, where he dwells, and where he rules. There is a kind of peace in the heart of an unconverted soul, while the devil, as a strong man armed, keeps it. The sinner is secure, has no doubt concerning the goodness of his state, nor any dread of the judgment to come. But observe the wonderful change made in conversion. The conversion of a soul to God, is Christ's victory over the devil and his power in that soul, restoring the soul to its liberty, and recovering his own interest in it and power over it. All the endowments of mind of body are now employed for Christ. Here is the condition of a hypocrite. The house is swept from common sins, by a forced confession, as Pharaoh's; by a feigned contrition, as Ahab's; or by a partial reformation, as Herod's. The house is swept, but it is not washed; the heart is not made holy. Sweeping takes off only the loose dirt, while the sin that besets the sinner, the beloved sin, is untouched. The house is garnished with common gifts and graces. It is not furnished with any true grace; it is all paint and varnish, not real nor lasting. It was never given up to Christ, nor dwelt in by the Spirit. Let us take heed of resting in that which a man may have, and yet come short of heaven. The wicked spirits enter in without any difficulty; they are welcomed, and they dwell there; there they work, there they rule. From such an awful state let all earnestly pray to be delivered.
Luke 11:27-28 Verses 27, 28
While the scribes and Pharisees despised and blasphemed the discourses of our Lord Jesus, this good woman admired them, and the wisdom and power with which he spake. Christ led the woman to a higher consideration. Though it is a great privilege to hear the word of God, yet those only are truly blessed, that is, blessed of the Lord, that hear it, keep it in memory, and keep to it as their way and rule.
Luke 11:29-36 Verses 29-36
Christ promised that there should be one sign more given, even the sign of Jonah the prophet; which in Matthew is explained, as meaning the resurrection of Christ; and he warned them to improve this sign. But though Christ himself were the constant preacher in any congregation, and worked miracles daily among them, yet unless his grace humbled their hearts, they would not profit by his word. Let us not desire more evidence and fuller teaching than the Lord is pleased to afford us. We should pray without ceasing that our hearts and understandings may be opened, that we may profit by the light we enjoy. And especially take heed that the light which is in us be not darkness; for if our leading principles be wrong, our judgment and practice must become more so.
Luke 11:37-54 Verses 37-54
We should all look to our hearts, that they may be cleansed and new-created; and while we attend to the great things of the law and of the gospel, we must not neglect the smallest matter God has appointed. When any wait to catch something out of our mouths, that they may insnare us, O Lord, give us thy prudence and thy patience, and disappoint their evil purposes. Furnish us with such meekness and patience that we may glory in reproaches, for Christ's sake, and that thy Holy Spirit may rest upon us.