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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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

### SUMMARY
Luke 11:8, part of Jesus' parable of the friend at midnight, illustrates a profound principle about prayer: even a reluctant human friend will yield to persistent, shameless insistence, not out of immediate affection, but to avoid social disgrace. This human example serves as an *a fortiori* argument, teaching believers that if such persistence works with an unwilling person, how much more will a benevolent and loving God respond to the earnest and unwavering prayers of His children, providing what they truly need.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Luke 11:8 concludes the Parable of the Friend at Midnight, which Jesus tells immediately after teaching His disciples the [Lord's Prayer](/luke/11-2-4 "Luke 11:2-4 - The Lord's Prayer") in response to their request, "[Lord, teach us to pray](/luke/11-1 "Luke 11:1 - Disciples Ask Jesus to Teach Them to Pray")". The parable itself begins in [Luke 11:5](/luke/11-5 "Luke 11:5 - The Friend at Midnight Parable Begins") with a man receiving an unexpected guest late at night, having no food to offer. His desperate appeal to a sleeping neighbor for three loaves is met with initial refusal. Verse 8 marks the turning point, where the neighbor, though unwilling due to inconvenience, finally accedes. This parable then directly precedes Jesus' powerful exhortation to "[Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you](/luke/11-9 "Luke 11:9 - Ask, Seek, Knock")" and His promise of the [Holy Spirit to those who ask](/luke/11-13 "Luke 11:13 - God Gives the Holy Spirit"). Thus, Luke 11:8 is the crucial pivot illustrating the *reason* for the effectiveness of persistent prayer.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern culture, hospitality was a sacred duty and a profound social obligation. To receive a guest, especially an unexpected one, and be unable to provide for them, brought immense shame upon the host. Houses were typically small, one-room dwellings where entire families slept together on mats on the floor, making it highly inconvenient and disruptive for someone to get up in the middle of the night. The neighbor's initial refusal in [Luke 11:7](/luke/11-7 "Luke 11:7 - The Friend's Refusal") ("Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee") highlights this cultural inconvenience. However, the persistent knocking and pleading from outside would have been a public display, risking the sleeping neighbor's reputation for hospitality within the community. The "importunity" (Greek: *anaideia*) was not merely annoying, but a public appeal that leveraged social pressure, forcing the neighbor to act to preserve his honor, even if begrudgingly.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within Luke's Gospel and Jesus' broader teaching. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **persistence in prayer**, emphasizing that unwavering and bold petition is crucial for receiving from God. Secondly, it highlights **God's benevolent character and readiness to give**, contrasting the reluctant human friend with a divine Father who delights in giving good gifts, especially the [Holy Spirit](/luke/11-13 "Luke 11:13 - God Gives the Holy Spirit"). The parable's logic is *a fortiori*: if a reluctant human gives, how much more will a willing God. Thirdly, it touches on the theme of **faith and dependence**, as the neighbor's "importunity" implies a deep conviction that his need *must* be met, reflecting the kind of confident trust believers should have in God's provision. This parable also subtly reinforces the theme of **God's kingdom breaking into human need**, as prayer is a means by which divine resources are accessed for earthly realities.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **importunity (Greek, _anaídeia'_):** This word (G335) is derived from a compound of a negative particle (A) and *aidōs* (a sense of shame or respect). Thus, *anaídeia* literally means "shamelessness," "impudence," or "lack of shame." In this context, it describes the persistent, unyielding determination of the man who refuses to take "no" for an answer, not out of rudeness, but out of a desperate, unashamed insistence driven by urgent need. It's the quality of being undeterred by social convention or initial refusal, pressing on until the request is granted.
* **rise (Greek, _anístēmi'_):** This verb (G450) means "to stand up," "to arise," or "to raise up." In the context of the parable, it refers to the physical act of the friend getting out of bed. However, in the broader theological application, it can subtly hint at God's active response, His "rising" to meet the needs of His persistent children, contrasting with any perceived divine inactivity. The use of this word here, rather than the more general "go," emphasizes the effort and disruption involved for the sleeping friend, making his eventual action due to importunity all the more significant.
* **give (Greek, _dídōmi'_):** This primary verb (G1325) is broadly used to mean "to give," "to bestow," "to grant," or "to provide." In Luke 11:8, it refers to the act of the friend providing the bread. Theologically, it highlights God's character as the ultimate Giver, who delights in providing for His children. The parable emphasizes that while the human friend gives reluctantly, God gives freely and generously, especially in response to persistent prayer, as further elaborated in [Luke 11:13](/luke/11-13 "Luke 11:13 - God Gives the Holy Spirit").

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend":** Jesus introduces the punchline of the parable, asserting that the friend inside will *not* get up and give the bread simply because of the existing bond of friendship. This challenges the common expectation that friendship alone would suffice, setting up the contrast for the true motivator. It implies that the inconvenience of the hour outweighs the social obligation of friendship, at least initially.
* **"yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth":** This clause reveals the true catalyst for the friend's action. It is not friendship, but the "importunity" (shameless persistence) of the one asking that compels the friend to overcome his reluctance. The friend yields not out of goodwill or convenience, but to avoid the greater social discomfort or shame of refusing a persistent, public appeal. The phrase "as many as he needeth" emphasizes that the request is fully met, highlighting the efficacy of such persistence.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Luke 11:8 and the surrounding parable is **Parable**, a short, illustrative story that conveys a moral or spiritual lesson. Jesus uses this common teaching method to reveal truths about the Kingdom of God and the nature of prayer. Within the parable, there is a clear use of **Contrast** or **A Fortiori Argument** (from the lesser to the greater). The reluctant, inconvenienced human friend is contrasted with the infinitely willing and generous heavenly Father. If a human, motivated by social pressure, will give, how much more will God, motivated by love, give to His children who persist in prayer. There is also an element of **Hyperbole** in the portrayal of the friend's extreme reluctance and the petitioner's relentless "shamelessness," which serves to emphasize the point about persistence. Finally, the parable employs **Anthropomorphism** by attributing human characteristics (like reluctance or being troubled by inconvenience) to illustrate a divine principle, though it's crucial to understand that God Himself is not reluctant or inconvenienced.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 11:8 profoundly shapes our understanding of prayer and God's character. It does not suggest that God is reluctant or needs to be persuaded against His will, but rather that our persistence in prayer aligns our hearts and wills with His, demonstrating our faith, dependence, and earnest desire. The "importunity" of the petitioner is not about wearing God down, but about expressing a deep, unwavering trust in His goodness and a refusal to give up on His promises. This persistence is a testament to the petitioner's faith, not a manipulation of God. It encourages believers to approach God with boldness and confidence, knowing that He is a loving Father who delights in giving good gifts to His children, far surpassing the begrudging generosity of the human friend in the parable.

* [Matthew 7:7-8](/matthew/7-7-8 "Matthew 7:7-8 - Ask, Seek, Knock")
* [1 Thessalonians 5:17](/1_thessalonians/5-17 "1 Thessalonians 5:17 - Pray Without Ceasing")
* [James 1:5-7](/james/1-5-7 "James 1:5-7 - Ask in Faith")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 11:8 offers profound encouragement for our prayer lives, challenging us to cultivate a spirit of persistent faith. In a world that often values instant gratification, this verse reminds us that some of God's greatest blessings may require sustained, unwavering petition. It's an invitation to lean into our dependence on God, to bring our deepest needs before Him repeatedly, and to trust in His character even when answers seem delayed. This persistence is not about nagging God, but about cultivating a deeper relationship with Him, demonstrating our trust, and aligning our desires with His perfect will. It reassures us that our Heavenly Father is not like the sleepy, inconvenienced neighbor, but is always attentive, ready, and eager to respond to the sincere cries of His children. Our "importunity" should be born of humble desperation and confident expectation, not manipulative demands.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What areas of your life or specific prayer requests have you been tempted to give up on? How does the concept of "importunity" encourage you to continue?**
* **How does the parable's contrast between the reluctant friend and the generous Father shape your understanding of God's willingness to answer prayer?**
* **In what ways can your persistence in prayer be a demonstration of your faith and dependence on God, rather than an attempt to coerce Him?**

### FAQ
**Does Luke 11:8 imply that God is reluctant to answer prayer and needs to be persuaded?**

Answer: No, quite the opposite. The parable uses an *a fortiori* argument (from the lesser to the greater) to highlight God's boundless generosity. The reluctant, inconvenienced human friend serves as a stark contrast to God. If even a human, motivated by social pressure, will eventually give, how much more will our loving heavenly Father, who is inherently good and eager to give, respond to the persistent prayers of His children? Jesus explicitly clarifies this in [Luke 11:13](/luke/11-13 "Luke 11:13 - God Gives the Holy Spirit"), where He states, "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?" The point is not God's reluctance, but the power and necessity of our persistence, which demonstrates our faith and dependence.

**What does "importunity" mean in this context, and how should it be applied to our prayer lives?**

Answer: The Greek word for "importunity" is *anaídeia*, which literally means "shamelessness" or "impudence." In this context, it refers to a bold, unyielding, and persistent insistence in making a request, driven by a desperate need that overcomes social conventions or initial refusals. 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. Applied to prayer, it means approaching God with a confident, persistent spirit, not giving up when answers are not immediately apparent, and continually bringing our needs before Him with faith, knowing that He is good and desires to bless us according to His perfect will.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 11:8, while seemingly about a human interaction, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in Christ. Jesus Himself is the embodiment of the Father's generous heart, revealing that God is not a reluctant giver but one who "so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son" ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World")). The "importunity" of the petitioner in the parable, which secures the desired loaves, foreshadows the unwavering faith that is made possible through Christ, who grants us access to the Father. It is through Jesus that we have the boldness to approach God's throne of grace with confidence, knowing that our prayers are heard and answered according to His perfect will ([Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the Throne of Grace with Confidence")). Jesus not only teaches us to pray but also intercedes for us, ensuring that our "importunity" is always heard by the Father ([Romans 8:34](/romans/8-34 "Romans 8:34 - Christ's Intercession")). Furthermore, the ultimate "good gift" promised in [Luke 11:13](/luke/11-13 "Luke 11:13 - God Gives the Holy Spirit")—the Holy Spirit—is poured out upon believers through Christ's finished work, empowering our prayers and enabling us to approach God as "Abba, Father" ([Galatians 4:6](/galatians/4-6 "Galatians 4:6 - Spirit of Adoption")). Thus, the parable's lesson on persistence in prayer is not a burden but an invitation to draw near to a Father whose willingness to give is perfectly revealed and secured in His Son, Jesus 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

Genesis 32:26

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

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

¶ 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

¶ 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?

Matthew 15:22

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

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.