FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR'S INTENT AT THE PARAGRAPH LEVEL
This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects. Compare your subject divisions with the five translations above. Paragraphing is not inspired, but it is the key to following the original author's intent, which is the heart of interpretation. Every paragraph has one and only one subject.
1. First paragraph
2. Second paragraph
3. Third paragraph
4. Etc.
CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS TO Luk_11:1-4
A. There are many textual variants of Luk_11:1-4 (and, for that matter, the whole chapter) which are attempts to harmonize Jesus' prayer in this context with Mat_6:9-13, which was used liturgically in the church very early.
B. It is still surprising to modern readers and interpreters how differently the Synoptic Gospels record Jesus' life and teachings. These eyewitness accounts (i.e., Mark from Peter, Luke from interviews or written documents from eyewitnesses) are verified by their very differentness. We have essentially what Jesus said, but not the exact wording.
C. The doctrine of inspiration must cover the variety found within the four Gospels. Remember they are salvation tracts, not modern western biographies nor histories. We must be content with the trustworthiness of the differing accounts.
D. From Luk_5:33 it seems that John the Baptist taught his disciples to pray in a patterned way. Here, too, Jesus is setting a pattern (present middle [deponent] subjunctive). The different elements of this prayer were to be repeated emphases in regular prayer, not necessarily the exact words.
1. God's character magnified
2. God's reign increase
3. God's provision sure
4. God's forgiveness certain
5. God's presence effective
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought-provoking, not definitive.
1. Why is the Lord's Prayer, as recorded in Matthew and Luke, different?
2. How do we reconcile Luk_11:4 and Jas_1:13?
3. Is God reluctant to hear our prayers and we must continue asking over and over?
4. Why is it so significant that they were calling Jesus Beelzebul?
5. Why was Jesus so angry with the religious leaders of first century Judaism?