Luke 11:6

KJV

For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him?

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1894} a friend {G5384} of mine {G3450} in {G1537} his journey {G3598} is come {G3854} to {G4314} me {G3165}, and {G2532} I have {G2192} nothing {G3756}{G3739} to set before {G3908} him {G846}?

Complete Jewish Bible

because a friend of mine who has been travelling has just arrived at my house, and I have nothing for him to eat.’

Berean Standard Bible

because a friend of mine has come to me on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him.’

American Standard Version

for a friend of mine is come to me from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 11:6 is a pivotal line within Jesus' Parable of the Friend at Midnight, immediately following His teaching on the Lord's Prayer. This verse sets the urgent and culturally significant scene for the story, depicting a host's profound dilemma: an unexpected guest arrives late at night, and the host, bound by the sacred duty of hospitality, finds himself with absolutely nothing to offer, thus necessitating a desperate plea to a sleeping neighbor.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of a parable told by Jesus to deepen His disciples' understanding of prayer. It directly follows the disciples' request for Jesus to teach them how to pray, to which He responds with what is commonly known as [the Lord's Prayer](/luke/11-2-4 "Luke 11:2-4 - The Lord's Prayer"). The parable of the Friend at Midnight, initiated by the scenario in [Luke 11:5-6](/luke/11-5-6 "Luke 11:5-6 - The Friend at Midnight Parable Introduction"), serves as an immediate, practical illustration of the principle of persistent, bold prayer that God desires to answer, contrasting a reluctant human friend with a generous heavenly Father. It underscores that if even a sleepy neighbor can be moved by persistence, how much more will God respond to His children's earnest requests.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, hospitality was not merely a courtesy but a sacred social and moral obligation. To refuse a guest, especially one who had traveled, was an unthinkable disgrace. Homes were often small, and provisions were typically bought daily, making an unexpected, late-night arrival particularly challenging. The arrival of a "friend in his journey" at midnight would mean the guest was likely weary and hungry, intensifying the host's duty. The host's lack of provisions would bring immense shame and dishonor upon himself and his household, compelling him to go to extraordinary lengths, even disturbing a sleeping neighbor, to fulfill this vital cultural imperative.
* **Key Themes:** This verse introduces several crucial themes that resonate throughout the parable and Jesus' broader teaching. It immediately highlights **The Urgency of Need**, as the unexpected arrival of a friend "in his journey" creates an immediate and pressing requirement for food, underscoring the host's profound dilemma and driving the narrative forward. Furthermore, the verse powerfully illustrates the paramount importance of **Hospitality** in ancient society, where providing for guests was not merely a courtesy but a moral imperative and a cornerstone of social honor. Finally, while not directly speaking to it, this verse establishes the predicament that necessitates the **Shameless Persistence** (Greek: _anaideia_, often translated "importunity") described in the subsequent verses of the parable, particularly [Luke 11:8](/luke/11-8 "Luke 11:8 - The Friend's Persistence"), setting the stage for Jesus' teaching on bold and unceasing prayer.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **friend (Greek, _phílos'_):** G5384. This word denotes someone "dear," an associate, or a neighbor. Its use here emphasizes the personal relationship between the host and the unexpected guest, intensifying the social obligation and the host's desire to provide. It also implies a level of familiarity that makes the host's subsequent request of his neighbor (also a _phílos_) more understandable, albeit still audacious given the hour.
* **journey (Greek, _hodós'_):** G3598. Literally "a road" or "way," here used to mean "progress" or "travel." The phrase "in his journey" signifies that the friend is a traveler, likely weary and hungry from the road. This detail heightens the host's immediate and desperate need to provide sustenance, as a traveler's needs were considered particularly urgent and sacred.
* **to set before (Greek, _paratíthēmi'_):** G3908. This verb means "to place alongside" or "to present," especially food. It encapsulates the act of hospitality—the physical presentation of provisions to a guest. The host's lament, "I have nothing to set before him," powerfully conveys his complete inability to fulfill this fundamental duty, which is the catalyst for his midnight plea.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me,"**: This opening clause establishes the unexpected and challenging circumstance. The arrival of a "friend" (implying a bond and obligation) who is "in his journey" (suggesting weariness and hunger) creates an immediate and pressing demand for hospitality. The timing, though not explicitly stated as "midnight" in this verse, is implied by the broader context of the parable, adding to the host's predicament.
* **"and I have nothing to set before him?"**: This rhetorical question expresses the host's profound distress and embarrassment. The phrase "I have nothing" highlights his complete lack of provisions, which, in a culture where hospitality was paramount, would be a source of deep shame. This desperate confession drives the narrative, explaining why the host is compelled to seek help from his neighbor at such an inconvenient hour.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 11:6 effectively employs several **Literary Devices** to set the stage for Jesus' parable. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question**, "and I have nothing to set before him?" This question is not seeking an answer but rather expresses the host's acute dilemma and embarrassment, drawing the listener into his immediate crisis. The entire scenario is part of a **Parable**, a short, illustrative story used by Jesus to convey a spiritual truth. This specific verse serves as the inciting incident, creating the problem that the main character must solve. There is also an element of **Hyperbole** in the host's desperate claim of having "nothing," which emphasizes the severity of his perceived lack and the depth of his cultural obligation, even if a small amount of food might have been available. This exaggerated need underscores the urgency of his subsequent plea.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 11:6, while detailing a human predicament, serves as a powerful theological springboard for understanding God's character and our approach to Him in prayer. The host's desperate need and subsequent persistent asking foreshadow the kind of earnest, unceasing prayer Jesus encourages. It highlights that God, unlike the reluctant human friend, is not bothered by our needs, no matter how inconvenient or seemingly small. Instead, He delights in responding to the sincere requests of His children, demonstrating His abundant provision and unwavering faithfulness. This verse, therefore, underscores the theological truth that our needs should drive us to God, trusting in His willingness to give.

* [Matthew 7:7-8](/matthew/7-7-8 "Matthew 7:7-8 - Ask, Seek, Knock")
* [Philippians 4:6-7](/philippians/4-6-7 "Philippians 4:6-7 - Do Not Be Anxious, Pray")
* [Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the Throne of Grace with Confidence")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The scenario in Luke 11:6 invites us to reflect on our own posture before God when faced with unexpected needs or challenges. Just as the host felt compelled by cultural obligation and personal desperation to seek help, we are encouraged to approach our heavenly Father with our genuine needs, no matter how inconvenient or seemingly impossible they appear. This verse reminds us that our lack, our "nothing to set before him," is precisely the condition that should drive us to God, who is the ultimate provider. It challenges us to move beyond self-sufficiency and embrace a radical dependence on divine provision, fostering a spirit of persistent and confident prayer, knowing that our Father desires to give good gifts to His children.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do unexpected needs in your life challenge your faith and dependence on God?**
* **In what ways might you be hesitant to approach God with your "nothing to set before him" moments?**
* **How does the host's persistence, born out of necessity, encourage your own prayer life?**

### FAQ

**Why is the specific mention of a "friend in his journey" significant?**

Answer: The phrase "a friend of mine in his journey" is significant because it immediately establishes a culturally binding obligation for the host. In ancient Near Eastern society, hospitality was a sacred duty, especially towards travelers who were often vulnerable. A friend arriving "in his journey" implies an unexpected, perhaps late-night, arrival, meaning the guest is likely weary and hungry. This detail amplifies the host's dilemma and the urgency of his need to provide, as failing to do so would bring immense shame and dishonor upon his household. It sets the stage for the desperate measures he takes to fulfill this sacred duty.

**What does "I have nothing to set before him" imply beyond a literal lack of food?**

Answer: Beyond a literal lack of food, "I have nothing to set before him" implies a profound sense of social and personal shame. In a culture where hospitality was paramount, being unable to provide for a guest, especially a friend, was a deeply humiliating experience. It meant failing in a fundamental societal expectation and risked damaging one's reputation. This statement conveys the host's complete inadequacy in fulfilling his duty, which is the driving force behind his audacious midnight request to his neighbor. It highlights the depth of the host's predicament and the extreme measures he is willing to take to avoid dishonor.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 11:6, though a simple line in a parable, finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The host's desperate cry of "I have nothing to set before him" echoes humanity's profound spiritual poverty and inability to provide for its deepest needs. Christ, however, is the ultimate fulfillment of divine provision and hospitality. He is the [Bread of Life](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life") who satisfies our spiritual hunger, offering Himself as the complete and sufficient sustenance for eternal life. Unlike the reluctant neighbor in the parable, Jesus actively seeks to meet our needs, inviting us to come to Him with our emptiness and receive His fullness. His entire earthly ministry was an act of profound hospitality, welcoming the outcast, feeding the hungry ([Matthew 14:13-21](/matthew/14-13-21 "Matthew 14:13-21 - Feeding the Five Thousand")), and ultimately offering Himself as the perfect sacrifice, providing what we could never "set before" God on our own. Through Him, we are invited to approach the [throne of grace with confidence](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the Throne of Grace with Confidence"), knowing that our heavenly Father, through Christ, will abundantly supply all our needs according to His riches in glory.

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.