Luke 11:8

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.

I say {G3004} unto you {G5213}, Though {G1499} he will {G1453} not {G3756} rise {G1453} and give {G1325} him {G846}, because {G1223} he is {G1511} his {G846} friend {G5384}, yet {G1065} because {G1223} of his {G846} importunity {G335} he will rise {G450} and give {G1325} him {G846} as many as {G3745} he needeth {G5535}.

But I tell you, even if he won’t get up because the man is his friend, yet because of the man’s hutzpah he will get up and give him as much as he needs.

I 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.

I 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.

Commentary

Context of Luke 11:8

Luke 11:8 is part of Jesus' teaching on prayer, immediately following the disciples' request, "Lord, teach us to pray" (Luke 11:1), and the giving of the Lord's Prayer (Luke 11:2-4). To illustrate the effectiveness of prayer, Jesus tells the parable of the friend at midnight (Luke 11:5-8). In this parable, a man receives an unexpected guest late at night and has no food to offer. He goes to his friend's house, asking for three loaves of bread.

Verse 8 highlights the turning point in the parable. The friend inside, initially unwilling to open the door because his family is asleep, eventually yields. This verse sets the stage for Jesus' subsequent teaching on persistence in prayer, famously encapsulated in the command to "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you" (Luke 11:9).

Key Themes and Messages

  • Persistence in Prayer: The central message of this verse is the importance of perseverance in our petitions to God. The sleeping friend grants the request not out of immediate friendship, but due to the neighbor's unyielding "importunity." Jesus uses this human example to teach that if even a reluctant human friend can be swayed by persistence, how much more will a loving God respond to His children's earnest prayers.
  • God's Readiness to Give: While the parable features a reluctant friend, the point is not that God is reluctant. Rather, it emphasizes that if persistence works even with an unwilling human, it certainly works with a benevolent God who delights in giving good gifts to His children, as further explained in Luke 11:13.
  • Faith and Boldness: The "importunity" of the neighbor implies a certain boldness and unwavering faith that his need will be met. This encourages believers to approach God with confidence, not doubting His willingness or ability to provide.

Linguistic Insights

The key word in this verse is "importunity." The Greek word used here is anaideia (ἀναίδεια), which literally translates to "shamelessness," "impudence," or "insistence." It describes a person who refuses to take no for an answer, a persistent and unyielding determination that overcomes social reluctance. It's not about being rude or disrespectful to God, but rather about a humble yet unwavering belief that God hears and responds, and a willingness to continue asking until an answer is received.

Practical Application

Luke 11:8 offers profound encouragement for our prayer lives today. It teaches us that:

  1. Don't Give Up: When faced with unanswered prayer, this verse calls us to continue praying, seeking, and knocking. Our persistence demonstrates our faith and dependence on God.
  2. God is Not Reluctant: Unlike the sleepy friend, God is always attentive and willing to hear our prayers. The parable highlights our need for persistence, not His reluctance to give.
  3. Pray with Boldness: We are encouraged to approach God with a confident and persistent spirit, knowing that He desires to bless us and meet our needs according to His perfect will. This echoes Paul's instruction to "Pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
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Cross-References

  • Genesis 32:26 (11 votes)

    And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.

  • Colossians 4:12 (9 votes)

    Epaphras, who is [one] of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

  • Romans 15:30 (8 votes)

    ¶ Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in [your] prayers to God for me;

  • Luke 18:1 (7 votes)

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

  • Luke 18:8 (7 votes)

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

  • Matthew 15:22 (6 votes)

    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.

  • Matthew 15:28 (6 votes)

    Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great [is] thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.