Discovery BoxLuke 11:1-31
Context11:1 Now 1 Jesus 2 was praying in a certain place. When 3 he stopped, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John 4 taught 5 his disciples.” 11:2 So he said to them, “When you pray, 6 say:
Father, 7 may your name be honored; 8
may your kingdom come. 9
11:3 Give us each day our daily bread, 10
11:4 and forgive us our sins,
for we also forgive everyone who sins 11 against us.
And do not lead us into temptation.” 12
11:5 Then 13 he said to them, “Suppose one of you 14 has a friend, and you go to him 15 at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, 16 11:6 because a friend of mine has stopped here while on a journey, 17 and I have nothing to set before 18 him.’ 11:7 Then 19 he will reply 20 from inside, ‘Do not bother me. The door is already shut, and my children and I are in bed. 21 I cannot get up and give you anything.’ 22 11:8 I tell you, even though the man inside 23 will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of the first man’s 24 sheer persistence 25 he will get up and give him whatever he needs.
11:9 “So 26 I tell you: Ask, 27 and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door 28 will be opened for you. 11:10 For everyone who asks 29 receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, the door 30 will be opened. 11:11 What father among you, if your 31 son asks for 32 a fish, will give him a snake 33 instead of a fish? 11:12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 34 11:13 If you then, although you are 35 evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit 36 to those who ask him!”
11:14 Now 37 he was casting out a demon that was mute. 38 When 39 the demon had gone out, the man who had been mute began to speak, 40 and the crowds were amazed. 11:15 But some of them said, “By the power of Beelzebul, 41 the ruler 42 of demons, he casts out demons.” 11:16 Others, to test 43 him, 44 began asking for 45 a sign 46 from heaven. 11:17 But Jesus, 47 realizing their thoughts, said to them, 48 “Every kingdom divided against itself is destroyed, 49 and a divided household falls. 50 11:18 So 51 if 52 Satan too is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? I ask you this because 53 you claim that I cast out demons by Beelzebul. 11:19 Now if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons 54 cast them 55 out? Therefore they will be your judges. 11:20 But if I cast out demons by the finger 56 of God, then the kingdom of God 57 has already overtaken 58 you. 11:21 When a strong man, 59 fully armed, guards his own palace, 60 his possessions are safe. 61 11:22 But 62 when a stronger man 63 attacks 64 and conquers him, he takes away the first man’s 65 armor on which the man relied 66 and divides up 67 his plunder. 68 11:23 Whoever is not with me is against me, 69 and whoever does not gather with me scatters. 70
11:24 “When an unclean spirit 71 goes out of a person, 72 it passes through waterless places 73 looking for rest but 74 not finding any. Then 75 it says, ‘I will return to the home I left.’ 76 11:25 When it returns, 77 it finds the house 78 swept clean and put in order. 79 11:26 Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they go in and live there, so 80 the last state of that person 81 is worse than the first.” 82
11:27 As 83 he said these things, a woman in the crowd spoke out 84 to him, “Blessed is the womb 85 that bore you and the breasts at which you nursed!” 86 11:28 But he replied, 87 “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey 88 it!”
11:29 As 89 the crowds were increasing, Jesus 90 began to say, “This generation is a wicked generation; it looks for a sign, 91 but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah. 92 11:30 For just as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, 93 so the Son of Man will be a sign 94 to this generation. 95 11:31 The queen of the South 96 will rise up at the judgment 97 with the people 98 of this generation and condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon – and now, 99 something greater 100 than Solomon is here!
[11:1] 1 tn Grk “And it happened that while.” The introductory phrase ἐγένετο (egeneto, “it happened that”), common in Luke (69 times) and Acts (54 times), is redundant in contemporary English and has not been translated. Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the transition to a new topic.
[11:1] 2 tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
[11:1] 3 tn Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation.
[11:1] 4 sn John refers to John the Baptist.
[11:1] 5 sn It was not unusual for Jewish groups to have their own prayer as a way of expressing corporate identity. Judaism had the Eighteen Benedictions and apparently John the Baptist had a prayer for his disciples as well.
[11:2] 6 sn When you pray. What follows, although traditionally known as the Lord’s prayer, is really the disciples’ prayer. It represents how they are to approach God, by acknowledging his uniqueness and their need for his provision and protection.
[11:2] 7 tc Most
[11:2] 8 tn Grk “hallowed be your name.”
[11:2] 9 tc Most
[11:3] 10 tn Or “Give us bread each day for the coming day,” or “Give us each day the bread we need for today.” The term ἐπιούσιος (epiousio") does not occur outside of early Christian literature (other occurrences are in Matt 6:11 and Didache 8:2), so its meaning is difficult to determine. Various suggestions include “daily,” “the coming day,” and “for existence.” See BDAG 376 s.v.; L&N 67:183, 206.
[11:4] 11 tn Grk “who is indebted to us” (an idiom). The picture of sin as debt is not unusual. As for forgiveness offered and forgiveness given, see 1 Pet 3:7.
[11:4] 12 tc Most
[11:5] 13 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.
[11:5] 14 tn Grk “Who among you will have a friend and go to him.”
[11:5] 15 tn Grk “he will go to him.”
[11:5] 16 tn The words “of bread” are not in the Greek text, but are implied by ἄρτους (artou", “loaves”).
[11:6] 17 tn Grk “has come to me from the road.”
[11:6] 18 sn The background to the statement I have nothing to set before him is that in ancient Middle Eastern culture it was a matter of cultural honor to be a good host to visitors.
[11:7] 19 tn Κἀκεῖνος (kakeino") has been translated “Then he.”
[11:7] 20 tn Grk “answering, he will say.” This is redundant in contemporary English and has been simplified to “he will reply.”
[11:7] 21 tn Grk “my children are with me in the bed.” In Jewish homes in the time of Jesus, the beds were often all together in one room; thus the householder may be speaking of individual beds (using a collective singular) rather than a common bed.
[11:7] 22 tn The syntax of vv. 6-7 is complex. In the Greek text Jesus’ words in v. 6 begin as a question. Some see Jesus’ question ending at v. 6, but the reply starting in v. 8 favors extending the question through the entire illustration. The translation breaks up the long sentence at the beginning of v. 7 and translates Jesus’ words as a statement for reasons of English style.
[11:8] 23 tn Grk “he”; the referent (the man in bed in the house) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
[11:8] 24 tn Grk “his”; the referent (the first man mentioned) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
[11:8] 25 tn The term ἀναίδεια (anaideia) is hard to translate. It refers to a combination of ideas, a boldness that persists over time, or “audacity,” which comes close. It most likely describes the one making the request, since the unit’s teaching is an exhortation about persistence in prayer. Some translate the term “shamelessness” which is the term’s normal meaning, and apply it to the neighbor as an illustration of God responding for the sake of his honor. But the original question was posed in terms of the first man who makes the request, not of the neighbor, so the teaching underscores the action of the one making the request.
[11:9] 26 tn Here καί (kai, from καγώ [kagw]) has been translated as “so” to indicate the conclusion drawn from the preceding parable.
[11:9] 27 sn The three present imperatives in this verse (Ask…seek…knock) are probably intended to call for a repeated or continual approach before God.
[11:9] 28 tn Grk “it”; the referent (a door) is implied by the context and has been specified in the translation for clarity.
[11:10] 29 sn The actions of asking, seeking, and knocking are repeated here from v. 9 with the encouragement that God does respond.
[11:10] 30 tn Grk “it”; the referent (a door) is implied by the context and has been specified in the translation for clarity.
[11:11] 31 tn Grk “the”; in context the article is used as a possessive pronoun (ExSyn 215).
[11:11] 32 tc Most
[11:11] 33 sn The snake probably refers to a water snake.
[11:12] 34 sn The two questions of vv. 11-12 expect the answer, “No father would do this!”
[11:13] 35 tn The participle ὑπάρχοντες (Juparconte") has been translated as a concessive participle.
[11:13] 36 sn The provision of the Holy Spirit is probably a reference to the wisdom and guidance supplied in response to repeated requests. Some apply it to the general provision of the Spirit, but this would seem to look only at one request in a context that speaks of repeated asking. The teaching as a whole stresses not that God gives everything his children want, but that God gives the good that they need. The parallel account in Matthew (7:11) refers to good things where Luke mentions the Holy Spirit.
[11:14] 37 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the transition to a new topic.
[11:14] 38 tn The phrase “a demon that was mute” should probably be understood to mean that the demon caused muteness or speechlessness in its victim, although it is sometimes taken to refer to the demon’s own inability to speak (cf. TEV, “a demon that could not talk”).
[11:14] 39 tn Grk “And it happened that when.” The introductory phrase ἐγένετο (egeneto, “it happened that”), common in Luke (69 times) and Acts (54 times), is redundant in contemporary English and has not been translated. Here δέ (de) has not been translated either.
[11:14] 40 sn This miracle is different from others in Luke. The miracle is told entirely in one verse and with minimum detail, while the response covers several verses. The emphasis is on explaining what Jesus’ work means.
[11:15] 41 tn Grk “By Beelzebul.”
[11:16] 43 tn Grk “testing”; the participle is taken as indicating the purpose of the demand.
[11:16] 44 tn The pronoun “him” is not in the Greek text, but is implied. Direct objects were frequently omitted in Greek when clear from the context.
[11:16] 45 tn Grk “seeking from him.” The imperfect ἐζήτουν (ezhtoun) is taken ingressively. It is also possible to regard it as iterative (“kept on asking”).
[11:16] 46 sn What exactly this sign would have been, given what Jesus was already doing, is not clear. But here is where the fence-sitters reside, refusing to commit to him.
[11:17] 47 tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
[11:17] 48 sn Jesus here demonstrated the absurdity of the thinking of those who maintained that he was in league with Satan and that he actually derived his power from the devil. He first teaches (vv. 17-20) that if he casts out demons by the ruler of the demons, then in reality Satan is fighting against himself, with the result that his kingdom has come to an end. He then teaches (v. 21-22) about defeating the strong man to prove that he does not need to align himself with the devil because he is more powerful. Jesus defeated Satan at his temptation (4:1-13) and by his exorcisms he clearly demonstrated himself to be stronger than the devil. The passage reveals the desperate condition of the religious leaders, who in their hatred for Jesus end up attributing the work of the Holy Spirit to Satan.
[11:17] 49 tn Or “is left in ruins.”
[11:17] 50 tn Grk “and house falls on house.” This phrase pictures one house collapsing on another, what is called today a “house of cards.”
[11:18] 51 tn Here δέ (de) has been translated as “so” to indicate that the clause that follows is a logical conclusion based on the preceding examples.
[11:18] 52 tn This first class condition, the first of three “if” clauses in the following verses, presents the example vividly as if it were so. In fact, all three conditions in these verses are first class. The examples are made totally parallel. The expected answer is that Satan’s kingdom will not stand, so the suggestion makes no sense. Satan would not seek to heal.
[11:18] 53 tn Grk “because.” “I ask you this” is supplied for the sake of English.
[11:19] 54 sn Most read your sons as a reference to Jewish exorcists (cf. “your followers,” L&N 9.4; for various views see D. L. Bock, Luke [BECNT], 2:1077-78), but more likely this is a reference to the disciples of Jesus themselves, who are also Jewish and have been healing as well (R. J. Shirock, “Whose Exorcists are they? The Referents of οἱ υἱοὶ ὑμῶν at Matthew 12:27/Luke 11:19,” JSNT 46 [1992]: 41-51). If this is a reference to the disciples, then Jesus’ point is that it is not only him, but those associated with him whose power the hearers must assess. The following reference to judging also favors this reading.
[11:19] 55 tn The pronoun “them” is not in the Greek text, but is implied. Direct objects were frequently omitted in Greek when clear from the context.
[11:20] 56 sn The finger of God is a figurative reference to God’s power (L&N 76.3). This phrase was used of God’s activity during the Exodus (Exod 8:19).
[11:20] 57 sn The kingdom of God is a major theme of Jesus. It is a realm in which Jesus rules and to which those who trust him belong. See Luke 6:20; 11:20; 17:20-21.
[11:20] 58 tn The phrase ἔφθασεν ἐφ᾿ ὑμᾶς (efqasen ef’ Juma") is important. Does it mean merely “approach” (which would be reflected in a translation like “has come near to you”) or actually “come upon” (as in the translation given above, “has already overtaken you,” which has the added connotation of suddenness)? The issue here is like the one in 10:9 (see note there on the phrase “come on”). Is the arrival of the kingdom merely anticipated or already in process? Two factors favor arrival over anticipation here. First, the prepositional phrase “upon you” suggests arrival (Dan 4:24, 28 Theodotion). Second, the following illustration in vv. 21-23 looks at the healing as portraying Satan being overrun. So the presence of God’s authority has arrived. See also L&N 13.123 for the translation of φθάνω (fqanw) as “to happen to already, to come upon, to come upon already.”
[11:21] 59 tn The referent of the expression “a strong man” is Satan.
[11:21] 60 tn The word αὐλή (aulh) describes any building large and elaborate enough to have an interior courtyard, thus “dwelling, palace, mansion” (L&N 7.6).
[11:21] 61 tn Grk “his goods are in peace.”
[11:22] 62 tn Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation.
[11:22] 63 tn The referent of the expression “a stronger man” is Jesus.
[11:22] 64 tn Grk “stronger man than he attacks.”
[11:22] 65 tn Grk “his”; the referent (the first man mentioned) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
[11:22] 66 tn Grk “on which he relied.”
[11:22] 67 tn Or “and distributes.”
[11:22] 68 sn Some see the imagery here as similar to Eph 4:7-10, although no opponents are explicitly named in that passage. Jesus has the victory over Satan. Jesus’ acts of healing mean that the war is being won and the kingdom is coming.
[11:23] 69 sn Whoever is not with me is against me. The call here is to join the victor. Failure to do so means that one is being destructive. Responding to Jesus is the issue.
[11:23] 70 sn For the image of scattering, see Pss. Sol. 17:18.
[11:24] 71 sn This is a reference to an evil spirit. See Luke 4:33.
[11:24] 72 tn Grk “man.” This is a generic use of ἄνθρωπος (anqrwpo"), referring to both males and females.
[11:24] 73 sn The background for the reference to waterless places is not entirely clear, though some Jewish texts suggest spirits must have a place to dwell, but not with water (Luke 8:29-31; Tob 8:3). Some suggest that the image of the desert or deserted cities as the places demons dwell is where this idea started (Isa 13:21; 34:14).
[11:24] 74 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context.
[11:24] 75 tc ‡ Most
[11:24] 76 tn Grk “I will return to my house from which I came.”
[11:25] 78 tn The words “the house” are not in Greek but are implied.
[11:25] 79 sn The image of the house swept clean and put in order refers to the life of the person from whom the demon departed. The key to the example appears to be that no one else has been invited in to dwell. If an exorcism occurs and there is no response to God, then the way is free for the demon to return. Some see the reference to exorcism as more symbolic; thus the story’s only point is about responding to Jesus. This is possible and certainly is an application of the passage.
[11:26] 80 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the concluding point of the story.
[11:26] 81 tn Grk “man.” This is a generic use of ἄνθρωπος (anqrwpo"), referring to both males and females.
[11:26] 82 sn The point of the story is that to fail to respond is to risk a worse fate than when one started.
[11:27] 83 tn Grk “And it happened that as.” The introductory phrase ἐγένετο (egeneto, “it happened that”), common in Luke (69 times) and Acts (54 times), is redundant in contemporary English and has not been translated. Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
[11:27] 84 tn Grk “lifted up her voice and said.” This idiom is somewhat redundant in contemporary English and has been simplified to “spoke out.”
[11:27] 85 tn For this term see L&N 8.69.
[11:27] 86 sn Both the reference to the womb and the breasts form a figure of speech called metonymy. In this case the parts are mentioned instead of the whole; the meaning is “Blessed is your mother!” The warnings seem to have sparked a little nervousness that brought forth this response. In the culture a mother was valued for the accomplishments of her son. So this amounts to a compliment to Jesus.
[11:28] 88 sn This is another reference to hearing and doing the word of God, which here describes Jesus’ teaching; see Luke 8:21.
[11:29] 89 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
[11:29] 90 tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
[11:29] 91 sn The mention of a sign alludes back to Luke 11:16. Given what Jesus had done, nothing would be good enough. This leads to the rebuke that follows.
[11:29] 92 sn As the following comparisons to Solomon and Jonah show, in the present context the sign of Jonah is not an allusion to Jonah being three days in the belly of the fish, but to Jesus’ teaching about wisdom and repentance.
[11:30] 93 tn Grk “to the Ninevites.” What the Ninevites experienced was Jonah’s message (Jonah 3:4, 10; 4:1).
[11:30] 94 tn The repetition of the words “a sign” are not in the Greek text, but are implied and are supplied here for clarity.
[11:30] 95 tc Only the Western ms D and a few Itala
[11:31] 96 sn On the queen of the South see 1 Kgs 10:1-3 and 2 Chr 9:1-12, as well as Josephus, Ant. 8.6.5-6 (8.165-175). The South most likely refers to modern southwest Arabia, possibly the eastern part of modern Yemen, although there is an ancient tradition reflected in Josephus which identifies this geo-political entity as Ethiopia.
[11:31] 97 sn For the imagery of judgment, see Luke 10:13-15 and 11:19. The warnings are coming consistently now.
[11:31] 98 tn Grk “men”; the word here (ἀνήρ, anhr) usually indicates males or husbands, but occasionally is used in a generic sense of people in general, as is the case here (cf. BDAG 79 s.v. 1, 2). The same term, translated the same way, occurs in v. 32.
[11:31] 100 sn The message of Jesus was something greater than what Solomon offered. On Jesus and wisdom, see Luke 7:35; 10:21-22; 1 Cor 1:24, 30.
