New International VersionI tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need.
New Living TranslationBut I tell you this—though he won’t do it for friendship’s sake, if you keep knocking long enough, he will get up and give you whatever you need because of your shameless persistence.
English Standard VersionI tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence he will rise and give him whatever he needs.
Berean Standard BibleI tell you, even though he will not get up to provide for him because of his friendship, yet because of the man’s persistence, he will get up and give him as much as he needs.
Berean Literal BibleI say to you, even though he will not give to him, having risen up because of being his friend; yet because of his persistence, having risen, he will give him as much as he needs.
King James BibleI say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.
New King James VersionI say to you, though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs.
New American Standard BibleI tell you, even if he will not get up and give him anything just because he is his friend, yet because of his shamelessness he will get up and give him as much as he needs.
NASB 1995“I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will get up and give him as much as he needs.
NASB 1977“I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will get up and give him as much as he needs.
Legacy Standard BibleI tell you, even though he will not arise and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will get up and give him as much as he needs.
Amplified BibleI tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything just because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence and boldness he will get up and give him whatever he needs.
Christian Standard BibleI tell you, even though he won’t get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his friend’s shameless boldness, he will get up and give him as much as he needs.
Holman Christian Standard BibleI tell you, even though he won’t get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his friend’s persistence, he will get up and give him as much as he needs.
American Standard VersionI say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will arise and give him as many as he needeth.
Contemporary English VersionHe may not get up and give you the bread, just because you are his friend. But he will get up and give you as much as you need, simply because you are not ashamed to keep on asking.
English Revised VersionI say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will arise and give him as many as he needeth.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationI can guarantee that although he doesn't want to get up to give you anything, he will get up and give you whatever you need because he is your friend and because you were so bold.
Good News TranslationWell, what then? I tell you that even if he will not get up and give you the bread because you are his friend, yet he will get up and give you everything you need because you are not ashamed to keep on asking.
International Standard VersionI tell you, even though that man doesn't want to get up and give him anything because he is his friend, he will get up and give him whatever he needs because of his persistence.
NET BibleI tell you, even though the man inside will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of the first man's sheer persistence he will get up and give him whatever he needs.
New Heart English BibleI tell you, although he will not rise and give it to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence, he will get up and give him as many as he needs.
Webster's Bible TranslationI say to you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.
Weymouth New Testament"I tell you that even if he will not rise and give him the loaves because he is his friend, at any rate because of his persistency he will rouse himself and give him as many as he requires. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleI tell you, even though he will not get up to provide for him because of his friendship, yet because of the man’s persistence, he will get up and give him as much as he needs.
World English BibleI tell you, although he will not rise and give it to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence, he will get up and give him as many as he needs. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionI say to you, even if he will not give to him, having risen, because of his being his friend, yet because of his persistence, having risen, he will give him as many as he needs;
Berean Literal BibleI say to you, even though he will not give to him, having risen up because of being his friend; yet because of his persistence, having risen, he will give him as much as he needs.
Young's Literal Translation 'I say to you, even if he will not give to him, having risen, because of his being his friend, yet because of his importunity, having risen, he will give him as many as he doth need;
Smith's Literal TranslationI say to you, If also having risen he will not give him because of being his friend, yet for his effrontery, having risen, he will give him as many as he needs. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleYet if he shall continue knocking, I say to you, although he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend; yet, because of his importunity, he will rise, and give him as many as he needeth.
Catholic Public Domain VersionYet if he will persevere in knocking, I tell you that, even though he would not get up and give it to him because he is a friend, yet due to his continued insistence, he will get up and give him whatever he needs.
New American BibleI tell you, if he does not get up to give him the loaves because of their friendship, he will get up to give him whatever he needs because of his persistence.
New Revised Standard VersionI tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, at least because of his persistence he will get up and give him whatever he needs. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleI say to you, that if because of friendship he will not give him, yet because of his persistence, he will rise and give him as much as he wants.
Aramaic Bible in Plain English“I say to you that if because of friendship he will not give to him, because of his persistence he will arise and he will give him as much as he needs.” NT Translations Anderson New TestamentI say to you, Although he will not arise and give him, because he is his friend, yet, on account of his importunity, he will arise and give him as many as he needs.
Godbey New TestamentI say unto you, If indeed having risen he will not give unto him, because he is his friend, yet on account of his shamelessness, rising he will give him as much as he needs.
Haweis New Testament
I tell you, though even he would not rise and give him because he is his friend; yet because of his importunity, roused up, he will give him as many as he needeth.
Mace New Testament
I tell you, tho' he will not rise, to supply him, out of friendship: yet out of regard to his importunity, he will rise, and lend him whatever he has occasion for.
Weymouth New Testament
"I tell you that even if he will not rise and give him the loaves because he is his friend, at any rate because of his persistency he will rouse himself and give him as many as he requires.
Worrell New Testament
I say to you, even if he will not, rising up, give to him because of his being his friend; yet, because of his importunity, he, rousing himself, will give him as many as he needs.
Worsley New Testament
I tell you, tho' he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend: yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he wants.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context Ask, Seek, Knock… 7And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Do not bother me. My door is already shut, and my children and I are in bed. I cannot get up to give you anything.’ 8I tellyou,eventhoughhe will not get upto providefor himbecause ofhisfriendship,yetbecause ofthe man’spersistence,he will get upand givehimas much ashe needs.9So I tell you: Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you.…
Cross References Matthew 7:7-11Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. / For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. / Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? ...
James 5:16Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail.
Proverbs 3:27-28Do not withhold good from the deserving when it is within your power to act. / Do not tell your neighbor, “Come back tomorrow and I will provide”—when you already have the means.
1 John 3:22and we will receive from Him whatever we ask, because we keep His commandments and do what is pleasing in His sight.
Hebrews 4:16Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Isaiah 62:6-7On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have posted watchmen; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the LORD shall take no rest for yourselves, / nor give Him any rest until He establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth.
1 Thessalonians 5:17Pray without ceasing.
Genesis 18:23-33Abraham stepped forward and said, “Will You really sweep away the righteous with the wicked? / What if there are fifty righteous ones in the city? Will You really sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous ones who are there? / Far be it from You to do such a thing—to kill the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Will not the Judge of all the earth do what is right?” ...
1 Samuel 1:12-17As Hannah kept on praying before the LORD, Eli watched her mouth. / Hannah was praying in her heart, and though her lips were moving, her voice could not be heard. So Eli thought she was drunk / and said to her, “How long will you be drunk? Put away your wine!” ...
Philippians 4:6Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
1 Kings 18:41-45And Elijah said to Ahab, “Go up, eat and drink, for there is the sound of a heavy rain.” / So Ahab went up to eat and drink. But Elijah climbed to the summit of Carmel, bent down on the ground, and put his face between his knees. / “Go and look toward the sea,” he said to his servant. So the servant went and looked, and he said, “There is nothing there.” Seven times Elijah said, “Go back.” ...
Romans 12:12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, persistent in prayer.
Psalm 55:17Morning, noon, and night, I cry out in distress, and He hears my voice.
2 Corinthians 12:8-9Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. / But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me.
Jeremiah 29:12-13Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. / You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.
Treasury of Scripture I say to you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needs. because of. Luke 18:1-8 And he spake a parable unto themto this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; … Genesis 32:26 And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. Matthew 15:22-28 And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord,thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil… Jump to Previous AlthoughAriseBoldnessBreadFriendKeepsLoavesMakingNeedNeedethNeedsPersistenceRateRequestRequiresRiseRisenRouseWhateverJump to Next AlthoughAriseBoldnessBreadFriendKeepsLoavesMakingNeedNeedethNeedsPersistenceRateRequestRequiresRiseRisenRouseWhateverLuke 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.I tell youThis phrase indicates the authority of Jesus as He speaks. In the Gospels, Jesus often uses "I tell you" to emphasize the importance and truth of His teachings. It reflects His role as a teacher and prophet, similar to the Old Testament prophets who spoke with divine authority. even though he will not get up to provide for him because of his friendship
This part of the verse highlights the cultural context of hospitality in the ancient Near East, where providing for a guest was a significant social obligation. The reluctance of the friend to get up despite their relationship underscores the human tendency to prioritize personal comfort over social duties. It also sets the stage for the lesson on persistence in prayer. yet because of the man’s persistence
Persistence is a key theme in this passage, illustrating the importance of perseverance in prayer. The Greek word used here can also be translated as "shamelessness" or "boldness," suggesting a tenacity that refuses to give up. This reflects the biblical principle found in other scriptures, such as the parable of the persistent widow inLuke 18:1-8, where persistence in seeking justice is rewarded. he will get up and give him as much as he needs
This phrase emphasizes the eventual response to persistence. It suggests that God, unlike the reluctant friend, is willing to provide for His children. The provision of "as much as he needs" aligns with the biblical promise that God will supply all our needs according to His riches in glory (Philippians 4:19). It also reflects the abundant nature of God's grace and provision, as seen in the feeding of the 5,000 (John 6:1-14), where Jesus provides more than enough for the crowd. Persons / Places / Events 1. JesusThe central figure in this passage, Jesus is teaching His disciples about prayer and persistence. 2. FriendIn the parable, the friend represents someone who is approached for help at an inconvenient time. 3. NeighborThe neighbor is the one who is being asked for bread, symbolizing God in the context of prayer. 4. HouseThe setting of the parable, representing a place of rest and security. 5. MidnightThe time of the request, indicating an unexpected and inconvenient moment. Teaching Points The Power of PersistencePersistence in prayer is crucial. Just as the friend in the parable continues to knock, we must continue to bring our requests to God. God's Readiness to RespondThe parable illustrates that God is more willing to respond to our needs than the neighbor in the account. Our persistence is not about changing God's mind but aligning our hearts with His will. Boldness in PrayerThe Greek word for "persistence" (anaideia) can also mean "shamelessness" or "boldness." We are encouraged to approach God with confidence and boldness in our requests. Trust in God's TimingThe timing of the request (midnight) teaches us that God's timing may not align with ours, but His response is always timely and perfect. Community and SupportThe parable underscores the importance of community and supporting one another, as the friend seeks help for another. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Luke 11:8?
2.How does Luke 11:8 illustrate the importance of persistence in prayer?
3.What does "because of his persistence" teach about God's response to our prayers?
4.How can we apply the lesson of Luke 11:8 in daily prayer life?
5.Connect Luke 11:8 with another Bible verse emphasizing perseverance in faith.
6.How does this verse encourage us to approach God with boldness and confidence?
7.What does Luke 11:8 teach about persistence in prayer?
8.How does Luke 11:8 challenge our understanding of God's responsiveness?
9.Why is persistence emphasized in Luke 11:8 over immediate answers?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Luke 11?
11.What does "importunity" mean in the Bible?
12.What does 'importunity' mean in the Bible?
13.Why doesn't God answer my prayers?
14.How do we reconcile Paul's instructions in 1 Corinthians 5:9-11 about disassociating with sinners with Jesus' example of befriending them?What Does Luke 11:8 Mean I tell you• Jesus speaks with divine authority, underscoring that what follows is absolutely reliable (cf.Matthew 5:18;John 3:11). • His words never fail, so the principle He is about to state is anchored in the unchanging character of God (Numbers 23:19;Isaiah 55:11).
even though he will not get up to provide for him because of his friendship• The friend inside is reluctant, revealing normal human limits: fatigue, inconvenience, and self-interest (Proverbs 24:10). • Friendship alone does not always overcome those limits; this highlights the contrast with God, who neither slumbers nor grows weary (Psalm 121:3-4;Isaiah 40:28). • The line reminds readers that human relationships, however sincere, still fall short of God’s perfect faithfulness (Psalm 118:8).
yet because of the man’s persistence• Persistence (“shameless boldness,” v. 8) is the turning point. The seeker keeps knocking until the door opens (Luke 11:9-10). • Scripture consistently commends persevering prayer: – Jacob wrestling until daybreak (Genesis 32:26). – The Canaanite woman who would not be dismissed (Matthew 15:22-28). – The widow before the unjust judge (Luke 18:1-8). • God welcomes this kind of tenacity, not to wear Him down, but to deepen trust and dependence (Hebrews 4:16;James 5:16-18).
he will get up and give him as much as he needs• The reluctant friend finally meets the need fully, illustrating that God—who is never reluctant—will surely supply all that accords with His will (Philippians 4:19;Ephesians 3:20). • Jesus’ point: if even flawed people respond to persistent requests, how much more will a holy, loving Father respond to His children (Matthew 7:11;Romans 8:32). • The answer arrives at the right time and in the right measure, matching genuine need, not mere whim (1 John 5:14-15).
summaryLuke 11:8 teaches that persistent, faith-filled prayer moves the heart of a willing Father. Human friends may yield only after repeated appeals, yet God—infinitely more gracious—stands ready to provide all that is truly needed. Therefore, keep asking, keep seeking, keep knocking, confident that the One who invites such persistence will respond with generous, timely provision. (8) Because of his importunity.--Literally, because of his shamelessness. The word is not used elsewhere in the New Testament, and exactly expresses the pertinacity that knows no restraint. Verse 8. - Because of his importunity, he will rise. The one idea left upon the minds of the hearers of this little quaint homely parable is - importunity is completely successful. The borrower had only need to keep on knocking to get all he wanted.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek I tellΛέγω(Legō)Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 3004:(a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.you,ὑμῖν(hymin)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771:You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.evenκαὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.thoughεἰ(ei)Conjunction
Strong's 1487:If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.he will not get upἀναστὰς(anastas)Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 450:To raise up, set up; I rise from among (the) dead; I arise, appear. From ana and histemi; to stand up.to provideδώσει(dōsei)Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1325:To offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give.for himαὐτῷ(autō)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846:He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.because ofδιὰ(dia)Preposition
Strong's 1223:A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.hisαὐτοῦ(autou)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846:He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.friendship,φίλον(philon)Adjective - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5384:Friendly; subst: a friend, an associate. Properly, dear, i.e. A friend; actively, fond, i.e. Friendly.yetγε(ge)Particle
Strong's 1065:A primary particle of emphasis or qualification.because ofδιά(dia)Preposition
Strong's 1223:A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.[the man’s]αὐτοῦ(autou)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846:He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.persistence,ἀναίδειαν(anaideian)Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 335:From a compound of a (compare aneu) and aidos; impudence, i.e. importunity.he will get upἐγερθεὶς(egertheis)Verb - Aorist Participle Passive - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1453:(a) I wake, arouse, (b) I raise up. Probably akin to the base of agora; to waken, i.e. Rouse.[and] giveδώσει(dōsei)Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1325:To offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give.himαὐτῷ(autō)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846:He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.as much asὅσων(hosōn)Personal / Relative Pronoun - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 3745:How much, how great, how many, as great as, as much. By reduplication from hos; as As.he needs.χρῄζει(chrēzei)Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 5535:To need, have need of, want, desire. From chreia; to make necessity, i.e. Be in want of.
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NT Gospels: Luke 11:8 I tell you although he will not (Luke Lu Lk) |
