Luke 11

     11:1-4.  Luke’s version of the Lord’s Prayer is even simpler and less formal than Matthew’s (Mt.6:9-13).  We address God as Father (see John 1:12; 2 Cor.1:3), being adopted as his sons in Christ.  In praying for his kingdom to come, we ask that he subdue us to himself, and restrain and conquer all his and our enemies.  We pray for the necessary needs of the flesh.  We seek the forgiveness of our sins, and pointedly, this is contingent on our willingness to forgive others.  Lastly, we recognize our bent toward sin, and seek his protecting guidance.  

     11:5-13.  The parable teaches persistence in prayer.  What we want badly enough, we usually get.  Vv.11-13 clears up any wrong impression one might be tempted to by the parable.  A good father does not give destructive and harmful gifts to his children, even if they whine in the store.  How much more will our heavenly Father gladly give his children the Holy Spirit.  (Luke says “Holy Spirit” where Mt.7:11 says “what is good,” teaching us that He is the bringer of all good gifts.  Cf. John 6:63).

     11:15.  Beelzebul (Dung god) is “by parody upon Baal-zebub” (Or Beelzebub) meaning Master-of flies.  See 2 Kings 1:1-3.

      11:24-26.  Like the natural world, the spiritual world abhors a vacuum.  No person or church will be empty of doctrine for long.  Those who are not persistently asking God to be filled with the good things of the Spirit (5-13) will soon be filled with the doctrines of demons (26).

     11:27-28.  This is Jesus’ answer to Mariolatry.  Mary herself was a prime example of one of those blessed “who hear the word of God, and observe it”. (See Luke 1:38,45).

     11:33-36.  Seeing with the light of the Spirit (cf.28), i.e. having a worldview enlightened by God’s word.

     11:37-54.  A Pharisee has a really rude lunch guest.

     11:38.  (See Mark 7:4, and notes at Mark 7:1-23).  Note the margin for “washed” is “Lit., baptized“. 

     11:50-51.  This is a good passage to cite to a Dispensationalist who tries to tell you that “this generation” does not mean this generation, but “this race”, meaning the race of the Jews.  (Their eschatology compels them to do this at Mt.24:34, etc.).