Luke 11:8

8 I tell you, even though he won't get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence, ^[a] he will get up and give him as much as he needs.

Luke 11:8 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 11:8

I say unto you
This is the accommodation of the parable; to these words are premised, in the Vulgate Latin version, the following, "if he continue knocking":

though he will not rise and give him, because he is a friend;
though mere friendship will not influence and engage him to rise from his bed, at such an unseasonable time, and fulfil the request of his friend;

yet because of his importunity, he will rise and give him as many
as he needeth:
as he asks for, or more, if necessary: the design of this parable, is the same with that of the widow and the unjust judge, in ( Luke 18:1-6 ) which is to show the force of importunity, where friendship, as here, and the fear of God, and regard of men, which were wanting there, have no influence; and so to encourage to constancy and perseverance in prayer, with earnestness; taking no denial at the hand of God, but still continuing to make pressing instances.

Luke 11:8 In-Context

6 because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I don't have anything to offer him.'

7 Then he will answer from inside and say, 'Don't bother me! The door is already locked, and my children and I have gone to bed. I can't get up to give you anything.'

8 I tell you, even though he won't 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.

9 "So I say to you, keep asking, and it will be given to you. Keep searching, and you will find. Keep knocking, and the door will be opened to you.

10 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who searches finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

Footnotes

• [a]. Or annoying persistence, or shamelessness