Luke 11: Be Full of Light

New Testament: Student Study guide, (2003), 62–63

What does the word sincere mean to you? How does sincerity compare with hypocrisy? The Savior’s teachings can have power in our lives if we will apply them. For example, if we pray with faith and real intent, the Lord will answer our prayers. However, if our prayers are offered just to impress others, they will have little effect.As you read Luke 11 consider how the Savior’s teachings could bless those who sincerely apply them in their lives. What did Jesus teach about hypocrisy? Why do you think it is important not to just pretend to be righteous?

Other Accounts of What You Read in Luke 11

Luke 11:1–4Matthew 6:9–13

Understanding the Scriptures

Luke 11

Hallowed (v. 2)Holy or sacred 
Importunity (v. 8)Bold persistence 
Dumb (v. 14)One who cannot speak 
Beelzebub (v. 15)Satan 
Goods (v. 21)Belongings or possessions 
Spoils (v. 22)Captured goods 
Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked (v. 27)Blessed is your mother who gave birth to and nursed you 
Jonas (v. 29)Jonah (the Old Testament prophet who was swallowed by a great fish) 
Ravening (v. 39)Robbery 
Mint and rue (v. 42)Two types of garden herbs 
Reproachest (v. 45)Insult, rebuke 
Lade (v. 46)Burden 
Sepulchres (vv. 47–48)Tombs or graves 
Urge him vehemently (v. 53)Be filled with resentment 

Luke 11:5–13—The Parable of the Friend at Midnight

The Lord taught that if man, with all his selfishness, will nevertheless give to his neighbor who continues to ask in spite of objection and temporary refusal, then God will certainly grant what is persistently asked in faith and with righteous intent.

Luke 11:29–32—What Is the “Sign of Jonas the Prophet”?

Elder Bruce R. McConkie wrote: “Jonah’s burial in and coming forth from the ‘great fish’ (Jonah 1:15–17; 2) symbolizes the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ” (Mormon Doctrine, 2nd ed. [1966], 711–12).

Jonah on the shore

Luke 11:52—What Did Jesus Mean by the “Key to Knowledge”?

The Joseph Smith Translation of Luke 11:53 explains that the key to knowledge refers to the scriptures. Elder Bruce R. McConkie explained:

“The devil wages war against the scriptures. He hates them, perverts their plain meanings, and destroys them when he can. He entices those who heed his temptations to delete and discard, to change and corrupt, to alter and amend, thus taking away the key which will aid in making men ‘wise unto salvation.’ (2 Tim. 3:15–17.)

“Accordingly, Jesus is here heaping wo[e] upon those who have contaminated and destroyed scriptures which would have guided and enlightened the Jews” (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 1:624–25).

Studying the Scriptures

Do activities A and B as you study Luke 11.

Activity A iconExplain the Parable

After teaching the disciples how to pray (see Luke 11:1–4), Jesus gave them two short parables to help them understand how prayer works. Read the parables (verses 5–13) and then explain in your own words what they teach us about our prayers.

Activity B iconWoe, Woe, Woe

“Woe” is an exclamation of grief or anger and is given to condemn the wicked. Make a chart like the following in your notebook, look for the listed five phrases from Luke 11:37–53, and explain why Jesus condemned each action, how you think Jesus would have wanted the people to change, and what people do today that is similar:

Phrase from Luke 11

Why did Jesus condemn the action?

What changes do you think Jesus wanted the people to make?

What do people do today that is similar?

“Make clean the outside of the cup” (v. 39)




“Ye tithe mint and rue” (v. 42)




“Love the uppermost [best] seats” (v. 43)




“Lade men with burdens grievous to be borne” (v. 46)




“Ye build the sepulchres of the prophets” (v. 47)