Luke 11:1-13

On Prayer (Matthew 6:9 *, Matthew 7:7 *). Lk. assigns the Lord's Prayer to a separate occasion and gives two reasons for the disciples-' request. For the first cf. Luke 3:21, Luke 9:21, etc., for the second, Luke 5:33. Rabbis were accustomed to frame special prayers; there are examples in the Talmud. Lk.'s form of the Lord's Prayer is shorter and more original than Mt.'s. The earliest reference to the use of the Prayer is in the Didaché, c. A.D. 100, where it is ordered to be said thrice daily. Note Forgive us, because we have forgiven, etc.

Luke 11:5. (The Friend at Midnight) is peculiar to Lk. Cf. Luke 18:1. importunity: lit., shamelessness. Montefiore comments on the simple and unphilosophic nature of Jesus-' conception of God, One like ourselves who answers an eager importunate cry for help.

Luke 11:9 like Luke 11:1 is in Mt.'s Sermon on the Mount. In Luke 11:13 Syr. Sin. has, like Mt., good things. Holy Spirit may be less original, though some texts seem to have read Thy spirit come in Luke 11:2.