And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.

LUKE 11:2KJV
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Luke 11:2 (KJV)

What does Luke 11:2 mean?

Luke 11:2 records Jesus teaching his disciples how to pray, giving them a model prayer that begins by addressing God as “Our Father which art in heaven,” honoring God’s name, and expressing a desire for God’s kingdom and will to be realized on earth as they are in heaven. This verse sets the tone for prayer as both respectful and focused on God’s purposes.

Jesus is speaking to his disciples after they ask him to teach them how to pray. The prayer he gives is often called the Lord’s Prayer, and in this verse, Jesus emphasizes a close relationship with God (“Father”), reverence for God’s name, and a longing for God’s rule and intentions to shape life on earth just as they do in heaven.

The Greek behind Luke 11:2

  • “Father” (πατήρ, patēr): This word highlights a personal, family-like relationship with God, which was a distinctive way for Jesus to teach his followers to address God.
  • “Hallowed be” (ἁγιασθήτω, hagiasthetō): This is a request that God’s name be treated as holy or set apart, not just a statement but a desire for God to be honored by all.
  • “Kingdom” (βασιλεία, basileia): The Greek word means both a realm and the active rule of a king; here, it points to God’s reign being established more fully in the world.
  • “Will” (θέλημα, thelēma): This word refers to God’s purpose or desire, with the prayer expressing a longing for God’s intentions to be carried out on earth as they are in heaven.

Why Luke 11:2 matters

  • Luke 11:2 clarifies that prayer is not just about personal requests but about aligning with God’s character, honor, and plans.
  • The verse shows that Jesus encouraged his followers to approach God with both intimacy (“Father”) and reverence (“hallowed be thy name”).
  • This model prayer connects the life of the believer to God’s larger work in the world, emphasizing that God’s kingdom and will are central, not just individual needs.

Where else these words appear

“be” Greek G37 · used in 26 verses

  • Matthew 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
  • Romans 15:16 That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.
  • Hebrews 2:11 For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,

“will” Greek G2307 · used in 60 verses

  • Matthew 6:10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
  • Acts 21:14 And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.
  • Colossians 1:9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

“pray” Greek G4336 · used in 82 verses

  • Matthew 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
  • Luke 5:16 And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed.
  • Acts 20:36 And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all.

“When” Greek G3752 · used in 118 verses

  • Matthew 5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
  • Luke 5:35 But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.
  • John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.