The Meaning of Luke 11:13 Explained

Luke 11:13

KJV: If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

YLT: If, then, ye, being evil, have known good gifts to be giving to your children, how much more shall the Father who is from heaven give the Holy Spirit to those asking Him!'

Darby: If therefore ye, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much rather shall the Father who is of heaven give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

ASV: If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

Discover Luke 11:13

CONTEXT: What is the Context of Luke 11:13?

MEANING: What does Luke 11:13 Mean?

WORDS: What do the individual words in Luke 11:13 mean?

RELATIONS: What do the major concepts mean in Luke 11:13?

KJV Reverse Interlinear

If  ye  then,  being  evil,  know  how to give  good  gifts  unto your  children:  how much  more  shall  [your] heavenly  Father  give  the Holy  Spirit  to them that ask  him? 

What does Luke 11:13 Mean?

Study Notes

give
It is evident that none of the disciples, with the possible exception of Mary of Bethany, asked for the Spirit in the faith of this promise. It was a new and staggering thing to a Jew that, in advance of the fulfilment of 1 Corinthians 12:7-114 ; Joel 2:29 all might receive the Spirit. Mary alone of the disciples understood Christ's repeated declaration concerning His own death and resurrection John 12:3-7 . Save Mary, not one of the disciples but Peter, and he only in the great confession Matthew 16:16 manifested a spark of spiritual intelligence till after the resurrection of Christ and the impartation of the Spirit; John 20:22 ; Acts 2:1-4 . To go back to the promise of Luke 11:13 , is to forget Pentecost, and to ignore the truth that now every believer has the indwelling Spirit; Romans 8:9 ; Romans 8:15 ; 1 Corinthians 6:19 ; Galatians 4:6 ; 1 John 2:20 ; 1 John 2:27 .
Holy Ghost
The Holy Spirit, N.T. Summary (see Malachi 2:15 , note): (See Scofield " Malachi 2:15 ") .
(1) The Holy Spirit is revealed as a divine Person. This is expressly declared (e.g.) John 14:16 ; John 14:17 ; John 14:26 ; John 15:26 ; John 16:7-15 ; Matthew 28:19 and everywhere implied.
(2) The revelation concerning Him is progressive
(a) In the O.T. (See Scofield " Malachi 2:15 ") . He comes upon whom He will, apparently without reference to conditions in them
(b) During His earth-life, Christ taught His disciples Luke 11:13 that they might receive the Spirit through prayer to the Father.
(c) At the close of His ministry He promised that He would Himself pray the Father, and that in answer to prayer the Comforter would come to abide John 14:16 ; John 14:17 .
(d) On the evening of His resurrection He came to the disciples in the upper room, and breathed on them saying, "Receive ye the Holy Ghost" John 20:22 but instructed them to wait before beginning their ministry till the Spirit should come upon them; Luke 24:49 ; Acts 1:8 .
(e) On the day of Pentecost the Spirit came upon the whole body of believers Acts 2:1-4
(f) After Pentecost, so long as the Gospel was preached to Jews only, the Spirit was imparted to such as believed by the laying on of hands Acts 8:17 ; Acts 9:17 .
(g) When Peter opened the door of the kingdom to the Gentiles (Acts 10.), the Holy Spirit, without delay, or other condition than faith, was given to those who believed. Acts 10:44 ; Acts 11:15-18 . This is the permanent fact for the entire church age. Every believer is born of the Spirit; John 3:3 ; John 3:6 ; 1 John 5:1 indwelt by the Spirit, whose presence makes the believer's body a temple; 1 Corinthians 6:19 ; Romans 8:9-15 ; 1 John 2:27 ; Galatians 4:6 and baptized by the Spirit; 1 Corinthians 12:12 ; 1 Corinthians 12:13 ; 1 John 2:20 ; 1 John 2:27 thus sealing him for God; Ephesians 1:13 ; Ephesians 4:30 .
(3) The N.T. distinguishes between having the Spirit, which is true of all believers, and being filled with the Spirit, which is the believer's privilege and duty (cf) Acts 2:4 with; Acts 4:29-31 ; Ephesians 1:13 ; Ephesians 1:14 with Ephesians 5:18 . --"One baptism, many fillings."
(4) The Holy Spirit is related to Christ in His Conception Matthew 1:18-20 ; Luke 1:35 baptism; Matthew 3:16 ; Mark 1:10 ; Luke 3:22 ; John 1:32 ; John 1:33 walk and service Luke 4:1 ; Luke 4:14 resurrection Romans 8:11 , and as His witness throughout this age; John 15:26 ; John 16:8-11 ; John 16:13 ; John 16:14 .
(5) The Spirit forms the church Matthew 16:18 (See Scofield " Hebrews 12:23 ") by baptizing all believers into the body of Christ 1 Corinthians 12:12 ; 1 Corinthians 12:13 imparts gifts for service to every member of that body 1713556680_36 ; 1 Corinthians 12:27 ; 1 Corinthians 12:30 guide the members in their service; Luke 2:27 ; Luke 4:1 ; Acts 16:6 ; Acts 16:7 and is Himself the power of that service; Acts 1:8 ; Acts 2:4 ; 1 Corinthians 2:4 .
(6) The Spirit abides in the company of believers who constitute a local church, making of them, corporately, a temple 1 Corinthians 3:16 ; 1 Corinthians 3:17 .
(7) Christ indicates a threefold personal relationship of the Spirit to the believer: "With", "In", "upon" John 14:17 ; Luke 24:49 ; Acts 1:8 . "With" indicates the approach of God to the soul, convicting of sin John 16:9 presenting Christ as the object of faith John 16:14 imparting faith Ephesians 2:8 and regenerating John 3:3-16 . "In" describes the abiding presence of the Spirit in the believer's body 1 Corinthians 6:19 to give victory over the flesh; Romans 8:2-4 ; Galatians 5:16 ; Galatians 5:17 to create the Christian character Galatians 5:22 ; Galatians 5:23 to help infirmities Romans 8:26 to inspire prayer Ephesians 6:18 to give conscious access to God Ephesians 2:18 to actualize to the believer his sonship Galatians 4:6 to apply the Scripture in cleansing and sanctification; Ephesians 5:26 ; 2 Thessalonians 2:13 ; 1 Peter 1:2 to comfort and intercede; Acts 9:31 ; Romans 8:26 and to reveal Christ John 16:14 .
(8) Sins against the Spirit committed by unbelievers are: To blaspheme Matthew 12:31 , resist Acts 7:51 , insult Hebrews 10:29 , "despite," lit. insult). Believers' sins against the Spirit are: To grieve Him by allowing evil in heart or life Ephesians 4:30 ; Ephesians 4:31 and to quench Him by disobedience 1 Thessalonians 5:19 .
The right attitude toward the Spirit is yieldedness to His sway in walk and service, and in constant willingness that He shall "put away" whatever grieves Him or hinders His power Ephesians 4:31 .
(9) The symbols of the Spirit are: (a) oil John 3:34 ; Hebrews 1:9 (b) water, John 7:38 ; John 7:39 (c) wind; Acts 2:2 ; John 3:8 , (d) fire Acts 2:3 , (e) a dove Matthew 3:16 , (f) a seal; Ephesians 1:13 ; Ephesians 4:30 , (g) an earnest or pledge Ephesians 1:14 .

Verse Meaning

Jesus drew His climactic conclusion (cf. Matthew 7:11). Since God is perfect He will do much more than a sinful earthly father would do. When Jesus gave this teaching the Holy Spirit did not yet indwell every believer ( Acts 2:33; cf. Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4). The greatest blessing God could give a believer then was the possession of His Spirit. Thus the gift of the Holy Spirit was God"s greatest possible gift for the disciples who first heard this teaching. In effect Jesus was saying that the heavenly Father would give the very best gifts to those who ask Him. Believers today do not need to ask God to give them the Holy Spirit because He does this when we trust in His Son ( Romans 8:9).
The fact that God gives only good gifts to His children explains why He does not give us everything we request, even things that look good to us. Thus we need to understand Jesus" promise that God will give us what we ask ( Luke 11:9-10) as referring only to things that are good for us. God will without fail give only what is best to His children who request of Him in prayer.
In this important teaching on prayer Jesus gave His disciples a distinctive prayer to pray that expressed appropriate concerns for them because of their unique relationship to God. Then He showed how eager and ready God was to answer their prayers. Finally He promised that God would definitely respond to their prayers but only by giving them truly good gifts. Throughout He stressed the character of God and the disciple"s privileged relationship to Him. [1]

Context Summary

Luke 11:5-13 - Encouragement To Persevering Prayer
The parable of the three friends is very encouraging. We, so to speak, are to act as mediators or intercessors between those who are in sore need and our great Heavenly Friend. They are always coming to us on their journey, and we feel that we have nothing to set before them. Whether their need is for body, mind or spirit, they find us poor and bankrupt. But, at such times, let us turn to God with earnest prayer. If persistence in prayer prevails over the churlish and self-indulgent, what will it not achieve with the One who is "rich unto all that call upon Him!" He will give us just as much as we need.
Notice that how much more! Count the stars scattered on the vault of night, or the daisies in the fields, or the myriads of living creatures, sustained as the pensioners of His bounty, and ask yourself if He cannot give enough good gifts, and His Spirit withal, to supply all your need. What would you not do for your helpless little child? "How much more"¦" See Philippians 4:19. [source]

Chapter Summary: Luke 11

1  Jesus teaches us to pray, and that instantly;
11  assuring us that God will give all good things to those who ask him
14  He, casting out a demon, rebukes the blasphemous Pharisees;
27  and shows who are blessed;
29  preaches to the people;
37  and reprimands the outward show of holiness

Greek Commentary for Luke 11:13

Know how to give [οιδατε διδοναι]
See Matthew 7:11 for this same saying. Only here Jesus adds the Holy Spirit (πνευμα αγιον — pneuma hagion) as the great gift (the summum bonum) that the Father is ready to bestow. Jesus is fond of “how much more” (ποσωι μαλλον — posōi māllon by how much more, instrumental case). [source]
Being [ὑπάρχοντες]
See on James 2:15. [source]
Heavenly Father []
Lit.,the Father, he who is from Heaven,sa40 [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Luke 11:13

James 1:5 Let him ask [αιτειτω]
Present active imperative of αιτεω — aiteō “let him keep on asking.”Of God (παρα του τεου — para tou theou). “From (from beside) God,” ablative case with παρα — para Liberally (απλως — haplōs). This old adverb occurs here only in the N.T. (from απλους — haplous single-fold, Matthew 6:22, and απλοτης — haplotēs simplicity, generosity, is common - 2 Corinthians 8:2; Romans 12:8). But the adverb is common in the papyri by way of emphasis as simply or at all (Moulton and Milligan‘s Vocabulary). Mayor argues for the sense of “unconditionally” (the logical moral sense) while Hort and Ropes agree and suggest “graciously.” The other sense of “abundantly” or “liberally” suits the idea in απλοτης — haplotēs in 2 Corinthians 8:2; Romans 12:8, but no example of the adverb in this sense has been found unless this is one here. See Isaiah 55:1 for the idea of God‘s gracious giving and the case of Solomon (1 Kings 3:9-12; Proverbs 2:3).Upbraideth not Present active participle of ονειδιζω — oneidizō (old verb to reproach, to cast in one‘s teeth, Matthew 5:11) in the ablative case like διδοντος — didontos agreeing with τεου — theou and with the usual negative of the participle This is the negative statement of διδοντος απλως — didontos haplōs (giving graciously). The evil habit of giving stinging words along with the money is illustrated in Sirach 41:22 and Plutarch (Deut adulat., p. 64A). ] Cf. Hebrews 4:16.And it shall be given him (και δοτησεται αυτωι — kai dothēsetai autōi). First future passive of διδωμι — didōmi a blessed promise in accord with the words of Jesus (Matthew 7:7, Matthew 7:11; Luke 11:13), meaning here not only “wisdom,” but all good gifts, including the Holy Spirit. There are frequent reminiscences of the words of Jesus in this Epistle. [source]
James 1:5 Upbraideth not [μη ονειδιζοντος]
Present active participle of ονειδιζω — oneidizō (old verb to reproach, to cast in one‘s teeth, Matthew 5:11) in the ablative case like διδοντος — didontos agreeing with τεου — theou and with the usual negative of the participle This is the negative statement of διδοντος απλως — didontos haplōs (giving graciously). The evil habit of giving stinging words along with the money is illustrated in Sirach 41:22 and Plutarch (Deut adulat., p. 64A). ] Cf. Hebrews 4:16.And it shall be given him (και δοτησεται αυτωι — kai dothēsetai autōi). First future passive of διδωμι — didōmi a blessed promise in accord with the words of Jesus (Matthew 7:7, Matthew 7:11; Luke 11:13), meaning here not only “wisdom,” but all good gifts, including the Holy Spirit. There are frequent reminiscences of the words of Jesus in this Epistle. [source]
James 1:5 And it shall be given him [και δοτησεται αυτωι]
First future passive of διδωμι — didōmi a blessed promise in accord with the words of Jesus (Matthew 7:7, Matthew 7:11; Luke 11:13), meaning here not only “wisdom,” but all good gifts, including the Holy Spirit. There are frequent reminiscences of the words of Jesus in this Epistle. [source]

What do the individual words in Luke 11:13 mean?

If therefore you evil being know gifts good to give to the children of you how much more the Father who [is] in heaven will give [the] Spirit Holy to those asking Him
εἰ οὖν ὑμεῖς πονηροὶ ὑπάρχοντες οἴδατε δόματα ἀγαθὰ διδόναι τοῖς τέκνοις ὑμῶν πόσῳ μᾶλλον ὁ Πατὴρ ὁ ἐξ οὐρανοῦ δώσει Πνεῦμα Ἅγιον τοῖς αἰτοῦσιν αὐτόν

πονηροὶ  evil 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: πονηρός  
Sense: full of labours, annoyances, hardships.
ὑπάρχοντες  being 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: ὑπάρχω  
Sense: to begin below, to make a beginning.
οἴδατε  know 
Parse: Verb, Perfect Indicative Active, 2nd Person Plural
Root: οἶδα  
Sense: to see.
δόματα  gifts 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Neuter Plural
Root: δόμα  
Sense: a gift.
ἀγαθὰ  good 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Neuter Plural
Root: ἀγαθός 
Sense: of good constitution or nature.
διδόναι  to  give 
Parse: Verb, Present Infinitive Active
Root: διδῶ 
Sense: to give.
τοῖς  to  the 
Parse: Article, Dative Neuter Plural
Root: ὁ  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
τέκνοις  children 
Parse: Noun, Dative Neuter Plural
Root: τέκνον  
Sense: offspring, children.
ὑμῶν  of  you 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive 2nd Person Plural
Root: σύ  
Sense: you.
πόσῳ  how  much 
Parse: Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun, Dative Neuter Singular
Root: πόσος  
Sense: how great.
μᾶλλον  more 
Parse: Adverb
Root: μᾶλλον  
Sense: more, to a greater degree, rather.
Πατὴρ  Father 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: προπάτωρ 
Sense: generator or male ancestor.
ὁ  who  [is] 
Parse: Article, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: ὁ  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
οὐρανοῦ  heaven 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: οὐρανός  
Sense: the vaulted expanse of the sky with all things visible in it.
δώσει  will  give 
Parse: Verb, Future Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: διδῶ 
Sense: to give.
Πνεῦμα  [the]  Spirit 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: πνεῦμα  
Sense: a movement of air (a gentle blast.
Ἅγιον  Holy 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: ἅγιος  
Sense: most holy thing, a saint.
τοῖς  to  those 
Parse: Article, Dative Masculine Plural
Root: ὁ  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
αἰτοῦσιν  asking 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Dative Masculine Plural
Root: αἰτέω  
Sense: to ask, beg, call for, crave, desire, require.

What are the major concepts related to Luke 11:13?

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