Luke 11 8

Luke 11:8 kjv

I 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.

Luke 11:8 nkjv

I 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.

Luke 11:8 niv

I 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.

Luke 11:8 esv

I 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.

Luke 11:8 nlt

But 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.

Luke 11 verses

Luke 11 8 Meaning

Luke 11:8, within Jesus' parable of the friend at midnight, teaches that even an reluctant individual will respond to persistent and audacious requests due to the sheer importunity of the petitioner, not necessarily out of immediate friendship. This illustrates, by a fortiori argument (how much more), God's infinitely greater willingness to respond to the earnest, persistent prayers of His children, who seek Him not through annoyance but with devoted perseverance and faith. The verse highlights the power of unyielding prayer in receiving from God.

Luke 11 8 Context

Luke 11:8 is part of Jesus' teaching on prayer, following His provision of what is commonly known as the Lord's Prayer (Luke 11:1-4). A disciple asks Jesus to teach them to pray, much like John taught his disciples. Jesus then gives them a model for prayer. Immediately after, He tells the parable of the friend at midnight (Luke 11:5-8). This parable illustrates the importance of persistence in prayer. In this Middle Eastern cultural setting, hospitality was a sacred duty, and a house guest arriving unexpectedly at midnight required food. Yet, the neighbor, already asleep with his family, is understandably reluctant due to the great inconvenience of getting up. Despite the friend's natural unwillingness, he grants the request because of the midnight visitor's "importunity" or "shameless persistence." This human example serves to amplify, by contrast, the certainty of God's benevolent response to His children's prayers. The parable is then followed by Jesus' direct encouragement, "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you" (Luke 11:9), which culminates in the promise that God, who is good, will surely give the Holy Spirit to those who ask (Luke 11:13).

Luke 11 8 Word analysis

• I say unto you (Λέγω ὑμῖν - Legō hymin): An emphatic declaration by Jesus, signaling an important pronouncement and drawing the disciples' focused attention to the profound truth He is about to reveal, beyond the mere narrative of the parable.
• Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend: This phrase highlights the ordinary human reluctance driven by convenience versus responsibility. Friendship, in this immediate human example, is insufficient motivation to overcome the inconvenience of disturbing an entire household's rest for hospitality at an awkward hour.
  • will not rise (οὐ δώσει ἀναστὰς - ou dosei anastas): Indicates an unwillingness to put forth effort for the stated reason (friendship). Anastas implies rising from rest, an active, inconvenient exertion.
  • because he is his friend (διὰ τὸ εἶναι φίλον αὐτοῦ - dia to einai philon autou): This states the expected, but failed, motivation for action. The primary human bond that should prompt immediate help is shown to be overridden by a desire for personal comfort.
• yet because of his importunity: This is the pivotal phrase revealing the true catalyst for action in the parable's human example.
  • importunity (ἀναίδειαν - anaideian): A key Greek term here, literally meaning "shamelessness," "lack of respect," or "audacity." It conveys the idea of a persistent, unyielding, even audacious, insistence that disregards the discomfort or inconvenience it causes. It's not a positive moral quality in humans, but Jesus uses it here to demonstrate the sheer power of relentless asking to wear down resistance. This quality of relentless persistence, rather than annoyance, is to be reflected in our prayers to God.
• he will rise and give him as many as he needeth: This reveals the ultimate outcome of the importunity.
  • he will rise and give him (ἐγερθεὶς δώσει αὐτῷ - egertheis dosei autō): Egertheis (having risen) reiterates the action, emphasizing that the reluctant friend is finally compelled to act despite his earlier disinclination, precisely because of the persistence.
  • as many as he needeth (ὅσων χρῄζει - hosōn chrēzei): Implies that the full and necessary supply will be granted, emphasizing God's complete provision when one persists in prayer. The request is not partially met but fulfilled to the extent of the genuine need.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend,": Jesus emphasizes that the expected, natural motivation of friendship does not compel the reluctant neighbor. This sets up the sharp contrast that follows. It shows the limitation of human affection when weighed against personal convenience, highlighting a deficiency in human character.
• "yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him": This contrasts sharply with the previous clause, identifying the actual compelling force in the human scenario: the audacious and unrelenting persistence of the petitioner. This human-level principle, though rooted in flawed human nature, provides the analogy for prayer.
• "as many as he needeth": This ensures that the quantity supplied matches the demand, underlining the completeness of the eventual provision. Applied to God, it means His children's genuine needs are fully met through persistent prayer.

Luke 11 8 Bonus section

• The parable's power lies in the extreme contrast it establishes. The friend's reluctance due to personal inconvenience ("family in bed with me") underscores the human limitation, while amplifying God's boundless readiness to help.
• The word anaideian (importunity/shamelessness) specifically highlights that the man perseveres despite any social impropriety of knocking at midnight. This is a call for boldness and freedom from conventional constraints in our prayer life. It means approaching God with tenacity, not with shame or timid doubt, but with audacious faith rooted in His character.
• The context moves from teaching how to pray (Lord's Prayer) to teaching with what attitude to pray (persistence in this parable) to teaching why to pray with confidence (God's good nature in giving gifts like the Holy Spirit). This demonstrates a progressive instruction in prayer.

Luke 11 8 Commentary

Luke 11:8 presents a radical teaching on the nature and efficacy of persistent prayer. Jesus' use of the "friend at midnight" parable employs an a fortiori argument: If a selfish, grumpy neighbor, inconvenienced in the extreme, will still yield to insistent, even "shameless," pleading, then "how much more" will the infinitely good, loving, and ever-listening Heavenly Father respond to His children's prayers? The point is not that God needs convincing, or that He is a reluctant giver, or that our "shamelessness" is intended to badger Him. Rather, the "importunity" (ἀναίδειαν) of the petitioner in the parable serves as a metaphor for unwavering, persistent faith and confident dependency on God. Our approach to God should be bold, unwavering, and unashamed in its reliance on His generous character. It is a humble recognition of our dependence and a confident expectation that He delights in giving good gifts, especially the Holy Spirit. This verse assures believers that their continued, heartfelt petitions will be heard and answered fully according to God's wise and loving provision.