A reflection on Matthieu 6:9-13 and Luke 11:2-4
The Lord’s Prayer has come down to us in two different versions: Matthew 6:9–13 and Luke 11:2–4. The version in Matthew is by far the best known, as it is the one that entered Christian liturgy:
“Our Father who art in heaven…” (Matthew 6:9)
1. “Father” (Luke 11:2) vs. “Our Father who art in heaven” (Matthew 6:9)
Most biblical scholars agree that Luke’s version — more concise — is likely closer to what Jesus originally said. There’s little doubt that the prayer began simply with “Father”, as Luke records, and not with “Our Father who art in heaven” as in Matthew.
Indeed, Matthew, a Jew writing for a primarily Jewish-Christian audience, retained many sensitivities from Jewish tradition. In particular, it was forbidden to pronounce the name of God (see Exodus 20:7). This reverence is reflected in his frequent use of phrases like “Kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 4:17), in contrast to “Kingdom of God” in Mark (Mark 1:15).
This same dynamic shapes the opening of the prayer: “Our Father who art in heaven” — a respectful circumlocution for addressing God.
2. Abba
Scholars also believe that the first part of the prayer — the petitions for God’s name to be hallowed and for His kingdom to come — likely comes from Jesus’ own personal prayer in Aramaic. And that the original vocative he used was Abba.
This word is striking. In Aramaic, Abba conveys deep intimacy and trust — more like “dad” or “papa” than the formal “Father.” It expresses a radical closeness to God, unheard of in Jewish prayer at the time.
👉 And that’s precisely what Jesus wanted to share with his disciples: to pray to God as he himself did.
Saint Paul later echoes this intimacy:
“You have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’ it is that very Spirit bearing witness…”
(Romans 8:15)