Luke 11:5

KJV

And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves;

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} he said {G2036} unto {G4314} them {G846}, Which {G5101} of {G1537} you {G5216} shall have {G2192} a friend {G5384}, and {G2532} shall go {G4198} unto {G4314} him {G846} at midnight {G3317}, and {G2532} say {G2036} unto him {G846}, Friend {G5384}, lend {G5531} me {G3427} three {G5140} loaves {G740};

Complete Jewish Bible

He also said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend; and you go to him in the middle of the night and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread,

Berean Standard Bible

Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose one of you goes to his friend at midnight and says, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread,

American Standard Version

And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say to him, Friend, lend me three loaves;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 11:5 introduces the Parable of the Persistent Friend, a narrative Jesus uses to teach His disciples about prayer. The verse sets the scene with a common, yet culturally challenging, scenario: a householder is unexpectedly visited by a friend at the inconvenient hour of midnight, necessitating an urgent request for three loaves of bread from a neighbor to fulfill the sacred obligation of hospitality. This opening establishes the immediate need and the social pressures that drive the subsequent actions in the parable, laying the groundwork for Jesus' profound teaching on the nature of God's responsiveness to earnest prayer.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Jesus' teaching of the Lord's Prayer in [Luke 11:1-4](/luke/11-1-4 "Luke 11:1-4 - The Lord's Prayer"), which was prompted by a disciple's request, "Lord, teach us to pray." The parable initiated by [Luke 11:5](/luke/11-5 "Luke 11:5 - The Parable of the Persistent Friend Begins") serves as a practical illustration and amplification of the principles of prayer outlined in the preceding verses. It moves from the content of prayer to the attitude and persistence required in prayer, directly leading into Jesus' exhortation to "ask, seek, and knock" in [Luke 11:9-10](/luke/11-9-10 "Luke 11:9-10 - Ask, Seek, Knock, and God's Good Gifts"). The parable's structure, with its clear "how much more" argument, reinforces the idea that if a reluctant human friend will respond to persistence, God, our loving Father, will certainly do so.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Hospitality was a paramount virtue and a non-negotiable social obligation in the ancient Near East. To fail to provide for a guest, especially a traveler, would bring immense shame upon the host and their entire household. The arrival of a friend "at midnight" highlights the extreme inconvenience and urgency of the situation. Travel often occurred at night to avoid the scorching daytime heat, making such late arrivals plausible. "Three loaves" would be a modest but necessary amount, likely enough to feed the unexpected guest and perhaps the host's family. Houses were typically small, often one-room dwellings, meaning a neighbor's refusal would be heard by all, adding to the social pressure. This cultural backdrop makes the friend's desperate request and the neighbor's initial reluctance deeply relatable and underscores the profound social dilemma presented.
* **Key Themes:** [Luke 11:5](/luke/11-5 "Luke 11:5 - The Parable of the Persistent Friend Begins") introduces several key themes that are central to the broader parable and Jesus' teaching on prayer. **Hospitality and Social Obligation** are immediately evident, as the host faces a crisis of honor. The **Urgency and Necessity** of the request for bread at such an inconvenient hour underscores the genuine need. Most importantly, this verse lays the groundwork for the theme of **Persistent Prayer**. While persistence is not explicitly mentioned here, the challenging scenario sets the stage for the friend's "shameless audacity" (as described in [Luke 11:8](/luke/11-8 "Luke 11:8 - Importunity and Answered Prayer")) that ultimately yields results. It subtly introduces the contrast between human reluctance and divine willingness, a contrast that becomes the core message of the parable, encouraging believers to approach God with unwavering faith and perseverance, as further expounded in [Luke 11:9-13](/luke/11-9-13 "Luke 11:9-13 - The Father Gives Good Gifts").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **friend (Greek, _phílos'_):** From G5384, meaning "dear, i.e., a friend; actively, fond, i.e., friendly (still as a noun, an associate, neighbor, etc.)." In this context, it emphasizes a close relationship, implying a sense of trust and expectation of mutual aid. The request is not from a stranger but from someone with a legitimate claim to assistance, making the neighbor's initial reluctance in the subsequent verses even more striking.
* **midnight (Greek, _mesonýktion'_):** From G3317, meaning "midnight (especially as a watch)." This word precisely denotes the middle of the night, the most inconvenient and disruptive hour. Its inclusion highlights the extreme nature of the need and the social obligation, as it forces the host to disturb a sleeping neighbor during a time when all are typically at rest, amplifying the "shameless audacity" required to make such a request.
* **loaves (Greek, _ártos'_):** From G740, meaning "bread (as raised) or a loaf." This refers to the staple food of the time, essential for sustenance. The request for "three loaves" is specific and modest, indicating a genuine need for basic provision, likely for the unexpected guest and perhaps the host's family, rather than an excessive demand. It underscores the immediate and fundamental nature of the crisis.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he said unto them":** This phrase marks Jesus' direct address to His disciples, indicating that what follows is a teaching or parable specifically for their instruction. It connects this narrative directly to their preceding request for teaching on prayer.
* **"Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight":** Jesus poses a rhetorical question, inviting His listeners to imagine themselves in a common, relatable scenario. The "friend" (φίλος, _phílos_) highlights a relationship of mutual expectation, while "at midnight" (μεσονύκτιον, _mesonýktion_) immediately establishes the extreme inconvenience and urgency of the situation, setting up the social dilemma.
* **"and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves;":** This clause reveals the specific, modest, yet critical request. The repetition of "Friend" (φίλε, _phíle_) underscores the relational appeal. The need to "lend" (χράω, _chráō_) suggests a temporary provision, and "three loaves" (τρεῖς ἄρτους, _treis ártous_) signifies a basic, non-extravagant necessity, crucial for fulfilling the sacred duty of hospitality to an unexpected guest.

#### Literary Devices
Jesus employs several literary devices in [Luke 11:5](/luke/11-5 "Luke 11:5 - The Parable of the Persistent Friend Begins") to effectively set the stage for His teaching. The primary device is **Parable**, a short, fictional narrative used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson. Here, Jesus begins to sketch a realistic scenario that His audience would immediately understand and relate to, grounding His spiritual teaching in everyday life. There is an element of **Realism** in the depiction of the unexpected guest, the late hour, and the need for basic provisions, making the situation highly plausible for people in that culture. Furthermore, the verse subtly introduces **Contrast** and **Irony**, which are fully developed in the subsequent verses of the parable. The initial setup of a reluctant human friend who must be importuned stands in stark contrast to the readily available and generous Heavenly Father, a point Jesus will make explicit in [Luke 11:13](/luke/11-13 "Luke 11:13 - The Father Gives the Holy Spirit").

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 11:5, as the opening of the Parable of the Persistent Friend, immediately draws us into a theological discourse on the nature of prayer and God's responsiveness. While the verse itself focuses on the human dilemma of hospitality and urgent need, it implicitly sets up the divine parallel. The cultural imperative to provide for a guest, even at great inconvenience, foreshadows the even greater divine imperative for God to provide for His children. The human friend's initial reluctance, which is overcome by persistence, serves as a pedagogical tool to highlight God's *un*reluctance. Theologically, this parable, beginning with this verse, reassures believers that God is not a stingy or inconvenienced giver, but a loving Father who delights in answering the earnest prayers of His children, especially when they ask for what is truly needed. It underscores the themes of divine provision, the efficacy of prayer, and the character of God as one who can be approached with confidence, even in our most desperate "midnight" moments.

* [Matthew 7:7-8](/matthew/7-7-8 "Matthew 7:7-8 - Ask, Seek, Knock")
* [Psalm 50:15](/psalm/50-15 "Psalm 50:15 - Call Upon Me in the Day of Trouble")
* [1 John 5:14-15](/1_john/5-14-15 "1 John 5:14-15 - Confidence in Prayer")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 11:5, though seemingly simple, profoundly challenges us to consider the nature of our needs and the urgency with which we approach God. Just as the friend in the parable faced a genuine and immediate need that compelled him to disturb his neighbor at midnight, we too are encouraged to bring our specific, even inconvenient, requests before God. This verse sets the stage for understanding that our Heavenly Father, unlike the reluctant human friend, is never inconvenienced by our needs and is always ready to hear our prayers. It calls us to honesty about our dependencies, both spiritual and material, and to cultivate a mindset of persistent asking, seeking, and knocking, knowing that God's character is one of generous provision. It reminds us that our "midnight moments" of desperation are not barriers to prayer but opportunities for God to demonstrate His faithfulness and love.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the cultural context of hospitality in this parable challenge our understanding of generosity and responsibility towards others, even when it's inconvenient?**
* **What "midnight" needs or urgent requests are you hesitant to bring before God, and why might you feel that hesitation?**
* **In what ways does this verse, as an introduction, prepare your heart for a deeper understanding of persistent prayer and God's willingness to answer?**

### FAQ
**Why is "midnight" so significant in this parable?**

Answer: The mention of "midnight" (Greek: _mesonýktion_) is crucial because it emphasizes the extreme inconvenience and urgency of the situation. In ancient times, travel often occurred at night to avoid the heat, so unexpected late arrivals were plausible. However, disturbing a neighbor at midnight would be highly unusual and socially disruptive, as everyone would be asleep. This detail highlights the host's desperate need to fulfill the sacred duty of hospitality and sets up the neighbor's initial reluctance, thereby amplifying the "shameless audacity" (Luke 11:8) required to persist in such a request. It underscores that the need was truly dire and the request was made under duress.

**What is the significance of "three loaves"?**

Answer: The request for "three loaves" (Greek: _treis ártous_) is significant because it represents a modest, specific, and necessary amount of food. It's not an excessive demand but just enough to feed the unexpected guest and perhaps the host's family, fulfilling the immediate and fundamental requirement of hospitality. This detail underscores the genuine nature of the need and the basic provision required, making the neighbor's initial refusal seem even more unreasonable and highlighting the power of persistent asking for even simple, essential things.

**Does this parable suggest God is reluctant to answer prayer?**

Answer: No, quite the opposite. The parable, beginning with [Luke 11:5](/luke/11-5 "Luke 11:5 - The Parable of the Persistent Friend Begins"), uses a "how much more" argument. Jesus intentionally portrays a reluctant human friend who only yields to "shameless audacity" (Luke 11:8) to contrast with God's character. The point is that if even a reluctant human will respond to persistence, how much more will a loving Heavenly Father, who is inherently good and generous, respond to His children's prayers? Jesus explicitly states in [Luke 11:13](/luke/11-13 "Luke 11:13 - The Father Gives the Holy Spirit") that the Father is eager to "give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him." The parable teaches about the necessity of persistence in prayer, not about God's reluctance.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 11:5, as the opening of the Parable of the Persistent Friend, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is the very embodiment of God's generous and responsive nature. While the parable initially presents a human friend who is reluctant, Christ reveals the Father's heart, which is never inconvenienced by our "midnight" needs. Jesus Himself teaches us to pray, providing the model prayer in [Luke 11:1-4](/luke/11-1-4 "Luke 11:1-4 - The Lord's Prayer") and then immediately illustrating the Father's willingness to answer through this parable. He is the "bread of life" (as declared in [John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")), the ultimate provision for our deepest spiritual hunger, far surpassing the "three loaves" of physical sustenance. Moreover, Jesus perfectly models persistent prayer, as seen in His earnest supplication in [Gethsemane](/luke/22-39-46 "Luke 22:39-46 - Jesus Prays in Gethsemane"), demonstrating the very perseverance He encourages. He is the ultimate "friend" who lays down His life for us ([John 15:13](/john/15-13 "John 15:13 - Greater Love Has No One Than This")), and through His intercession at the right hand of God ([Romans 8:34](/romans/8-34 "Romans 8:34 - Christ Intercedes for Us")), He ensures that our prayers are heard and answered according to God's perfect will. Thus, the parable's lesson on confident and persistent prayer is fully realized in our access to the Father through Christ.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Luke 18:1

¶ And he spake a parable unto them [to this end], that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

Luke 18:8

I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?