Luke 11

Christ prescribeth his disciples a form of prayer 5 and teacheth by the similitude of a friend and a father that they shall be heard which persevere in prayer 14 casteth out a dumb devil and confutes the blasphemy of those that said he did this by Bezelbul 24 relates the miserable state of that man into which the unclean spirit returns again 27 a woman pronouneth a womb that blessed that bare Christ 29 Christ testifieth that the sign of Jonas shall be given to the Jews 31 oppeseth to their stiffneckedness the example of the south and of the Ninivite 33 teacheth by the similitude of a candle that the light of the gospel must not be hidden 37reproveth the Scribes and the Pharisee hypocrisy ambition and cruelty against all the prophets and apostles and threateneth the judgment of God unto them 53 whereupon the Pharisees lay knew snares for him.

1. And it came to pass when he was in certain place praying as he ceased that one of his disciples said unto him Lord teach us to pray [that is give us pattern of prayer which we may use and according which we may frame our prayers] like us John also taught his disciples

2. And he said unto them when ye pray say ye our father which art in the heavens [see the exposition of this prayer in Matthew chapter 6 verse 9&c] thy name be hallowed thy kingdome come thy would be done as in heaven so also on the earth .

3. Give us every day [or from day to day or all days] our daily [or sufficient see Matthew 6:11] bread

4. And forgive us our sins for we also forgive everyone that is indebted to us and lead us not into temptation and lead us from evil one

5. And he said unto them which of ye shall have a friend and shall g to him at midnight [that is even at the most inconvenient time]and say unto him friend lend me three loaves

6. For as much as my friend is come to me from his journey [Gr from the way] and I give not that I may set before him

7. And that he from answering should say do not trouble me the door is now shut and my children are with me in bed and chamber [or a bed] I cannot arise to give thee .

8. I say unto ye although he would not arise and give him because he is his friend nevertheless for his impudence sake [that is because of his troublesome and unseasonable persistence which indeed is sometimes acceptable to men but not to God Luke 18:1 1 Thessalonians 5:17] he will arise and give him as many [namely loaves] as he had needed thereof.

9. And I say unto ask and it shall be given to ye [see the exposition hereof Matthew 7:8] seek and ye shall find knock and it shall be opened unto ye

10. For everyone that asketh he receiveth and he that seeketh he findeth and he that knocketh it shall be opened unto him

11. And what father among ye whom the son asketh fro bread will give him a stone or else for fish will give him a serpent?

12. Or else he should ask for an egg and ye give him a scorpion ?

13. If ye then who are evil know to give gifts to your children how much more shall the heavenly father [Gr which is from heaven] give the Holy Spirit to those that pray to him?

14. And he cast out the devil and the same was dumb [that is made the man dumb that was possessed and also blind as it to be seen Matthew 12:22] and it came to pass when the devil was gone out that the dumb spake and the multitude wondered

15. But some of them said he casteth out devils by Bezelbul [otherwise Bezelbul see thetreof Matthew 10:25] the prince of the Devils

16. And others tempting him desired [or sought] of him a sign from heaven [see Matthew 16:1]

17. But he knowing their thoughts [or reasoning said unto them every kingdom that is divided against itself becomes desolate and a house being divided against itself [Gr house against house against itself as may be seen Matthew 12:25] falleth

18. Now if also Satan be divided against himself how shall his kingdom stand? Seeing ye saying that I cast out devils through Beezelbul

19. And if I cast out devils by Beezelbul by whom do your sons [see Matthew 12:27] cast them out therefore these shall be your judges [that is by their actions and testimony condemn you]

20. But if I by the finger of God [that is by the power of the spirit of God as it is Matthew 12:28 the like phrase see Exodus 8:10] cast out the devils them the kingdom of God is come unto ye

21. When a strong man armed keepeth his court [or palace all that he hath [or all his goods] is in peace [that is in quietness and safety]

22. But when one comes upon him that is stronger than he and overcometh him he taketh away all his armour wherein he trusteth and distribute his spoil [Matthew saith vessels that is household stuff]

23. He that is not with me that is to promote the glory of God and salvation of man see Mark 9:40] he is against me and he that gathereth with me he scattereth

24. When the unclean spirit is gone out from a man [see the exposition hereof Matthew 12.43c] he goeth through parched places [Gr waterless dry] seeking rest and not find it he saith I will not return unto mine house whence I came out

25. And coming he finds it swept with besomes or wiped and adorned

26. Then goeth he his way and taketh with him seven other spirits worse then he is himself and being entered in they dwell and the last of that man is worse than the first

27. And it came to pass as he spake these things that a certain woman of the multitude lifted up his voice said unto him blessed is the womb that bare thee and the breast which thou hast sucked

28. And he said ye blessed are they that hear the word of God and keep the same [Christ doth not here deny that his mother is blessed but teacheth that hers and others salvation proceedeth not from their birth according to the flesh but by the hearing of the word of God embraced by a true faith .]

29. And when the multitudes gathered close together he began to say this in an evil generation it desireth a sign and there be no sign given unto them but the sign of Jonas the prophet

30. For as Jonas was the sign of Ninivites [see the exposition hereof by Christ himself Matthew 12:40] so shall also the son of man be to his generation

31. The queen of the south shall rise up injudgments with the man of his generation and shall condemn them [namely by her example] for she came from [Gr out of] the ends of the earth for to hear the wisdom of Solomon and behold more then Solomon is here [that is one that is more excellent then Solomon as well in person as office]

32. The man of Nineve shall rise up in the judgment with his generation and shall condemn the same for they repent at the preaching of Jonas and behold more then Jonas is here.

33. And no man lighteth a candle and set in secret nor under a corn measure but on a candle stick that they which come in may see the light [Gr the shining]

34. The candle of the body is the eye therefore when thine eye is single thy whole body is also enlightened [or lightsome see Matthew 6:22] but if it be evil then thy whole body also is dark

35. Look to it therefore that the light which is in the be not darkness [or see therefore whether the light that is in thee be not darkness]

36. If therefore thy body be enlightened not having any part that is dark the whole [namely that is done by thee or proceed from thee shall be enlightened like as when a candle that is shining enlighten thee

37. Now as he spake this a certain Pharisee entreated him [Gr asked him] that he would dine with him and being gone in he sate down

38. And the Pharisee seeing that he marveled that he had not first washed [Gr was not baptized see Mark 7:4] before dinner

39. And the Lord said unto him now ye Pharisee cleanse the outside of the cup and of the platter but the inside of you [which may be understood either of the heart of the Pharisees or of their platters as is expressed Matthew 23:25] is full of rapine and wickedness.

40. Ye ignorant he that made the outside hath he not made the inside also.

41. But agree for alms that which is therein, [Namely in the platter, or that which ye have, as Luke 19:8. or that which is in you, i.e. change your iniquity into righteousness, and bounty towards the poor, as Daniel 4:27.] and behold all is clean unto you [that is, then may you make use of meat and drik with a good conscience, and thanksgiving, 1 Tim.4.4. Titus 1:15. others, shall be clean unto you]

42. But woe to you Pharisees, for ye tithe mint [See Matthew 23:23.] and rue, and all pot -herbs, [that is, all manner] and ye pass by judgement, [that is, justice and equity towards your neighbour] and the love of God. This ought to be done, and the other not left undone.

43. Woe unto you Pharisees, for ye loved the fore-seats [Or. The foremost sitting, or foresitting] in the Synagogues, and salutations on the markets.

44. Woe unto ye you Scribes and Pharisees, ye Hypocrites: for ye are like the graves which are not the manifest, [Or hidden, namely, in the earth] and the men which walk over them know it not. [or percerve them not.]

45. And one of the Lawyers, [The Scribes indeed were also Lawyers, but it seems that they were some amongst them which excelled in knowledge, and they especially were known by this name] answering said unto him, Master, while thoust saisth these things, thou reprocheth us also.

46. But he said, also unto ye Lawyers, ye load men with burdens heavier to be born, and yourselves touch not those burdens with one of your fingers.

47. Wo unto you, for ye build the sepulchers of the Prophet, and your Fathers killed them.

48. Therefore ye bear witness that ye also take pleasure of your Fathers: [Gr. And ye take pleasurealso.] for they killed them, and ye build their sepulchers. [that is , while ye build up their sepulchers, ye shew thereby that ye are true children of those that killed the Prophets , Matth 23. 31. And howsoever ye would seem thereby to discommend the deed of your Fathers, yet notwithstanding, it appears by the hatred, and the cruelitie which ye shew to the sound Teachers, that therein ye are like unto your fathers. And that if ye had lived at that time, ye would also have done the same to the Prophets.]

49. Therefore also saith [Or sud] the wisedome of God. [this Christ speaks of Himself, seeing he is the eternall wisedome of the Father. Proverbs 8:1.22.and 1. Cor. 1.24. as appears from Matth.23.34.]I will send the Prophets and Apostles unto them, and of them [some] they shall put to death, and (some) they shall chase out.

50. That from this generation may be required the blood of the Prophets, [See Matth.23.25.] that was shed from the foundation of the world.

51. From the blood of Abel, to the blood of Zecharias [Of this Zecharias see Matth.23.35.] which was slun between the Alter and the Temple (of God.) [That is, the Temple as is declared Matth.23.35.] yea, I say unto you, it shall be required of this generation.

52. Woe unto you ye Lawyers, for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: [This key is the right exposition of Gods words, whereby entrance into heaven is opened unto men; which being taken away, that entrance is as it were shut up. See Matth .23.13.] ye entred not in yourselves , and those that were going in ye hindred.

53. And as he said these things unto them, the Scribes and Pharisees began to lie hard upon him, [Or vehemently to charge on him.] and to cause him to speak of many things. [Gr.To draw the words out of his mouth.]

54. Laying snares for him, and seeking to catch somewhat out of his mouth, that they might accuse him.