Devine Scripture

Luke 11:1

What does Luke 11:1 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 11:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 11:1 means

This verse sets the scene for Jesus' teaching on prayer. A disciple, having observed Jesus' own consistent prayer life and likely aware of John the Baptist's similar instruction to his followers, requests that Jesus teach them to pray. This request is not merely for a formula, but for an understanding of how to approach God in a meaningful and effective way, reflecting a desire to emulate their master's spiritual depth.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And it came about that he was in prayer in a certain place, and when he came to an end, one of his disciples said to him, Lord, will you give us teaching about prayer, as John did to his disciples?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And it came to pass, in his being in a certain place praying, as he ceased, a certain one of his disciples said unto him, `Sir, teach us to pray, as also John taught his disciples.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And it came to pass that as he was in a certain place praying, when he ceased, one of his disciples said to him: Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And it came to pass as he was in a certain place praying, when he ceased, one of his disciples said to him, Lord, teach us to pray, even as John also taught his disciples.

Context

This verse initiates a significant section on prayer. It immediately follows Jesus’ own practice of prayer, which sparks the disciples’ request. This desire for instruction leads directly into Jesus providing the Lord's Prayer and subsequent parables and teachings on the nature of prayer in the verses that follow.

v.1This passage

v.2And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Father, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Jude 1:20

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

  • James 4:2

    Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and covet, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war; ye have not, because ye ask not.

  • Psalms 10:17

    Jehovah, thou hast heard the desire of the meek: Thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear;

  • Psalms 19:14

    Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in thy sight, O Jehovah, my rock, and my redeemer.

  • Luke 9:18

    And it came to pass, as he was praying apart, the disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, Who do the multitudes say that I am?

  • Luke 22:39

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

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