God’s Word Translation
Luke 11:8
8I can guarantee that although he doesn’t want to get up to give you anything, he will get up and give you whatever you need because he is your friend and because you were so bold.
Luke 11:8 in other versions
- King James Version (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.
- New International Version (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.
- English Standard Version (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.
- New King James Version (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.
Context of Luke 11:8
6A friend of mine on a trip has dropped in on me, and I don’t have anything to serve him.’ 7Your friend might answer you from inside his house, ‘Don’t bother me! The door is already locked, and my children are in bed. I can’t get up to give you anything.’ I can guarantee that although he doesn’t want to get up to give you anything, he will get up and give you whatever you need because he is your friend and because you were so bold. 9“So I tell you to ask, and you will receive. Search, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened for you. 10Everyone who asks will receive. The one who searches will find, and for the person who knocks, the door will be opened.
Read all of Luke 11Luke 11:8 word by word
λέγω ὑμῖν· εἰ καὶ οὐ δώσει αὐτῷ ἀναστὰς διὰ τὸ εἶναι φίλον αὐτοῦ, διά γε τὴν ἀναίδειαν αὐτοῦ ἐγερθεὶς δώσει αὐτῷ ὅσων χρῄζει.Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- I sayλέγωlegō · to sayG3004
- unto youσύsu · youG4771
- Thoughεἰei · if: even thoughG1487
- ·καίkai · andG2532
- he willδίδωμιdidōmi · to giveG1325
- notοὐou · noG3756
- rise andἀνίστημιanistēmi · to ariseG450
- himαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
- becauseδιάdia · through/because ofG1223
- he isεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
- friendφίλοςphilos · friendly/friendG5384
- yetγέge · indeedG1065
- ofἀναίδειαanaideia · shamelessnesG335
- he will riseἐγείρωegeirō · to ariseG1453
- as many asὅσοςhosos · just as/how muchG3745
- he needethχρῄζωchrēzō · to needG5535
Cross-references for Luke 11:8
- Luke 18:1Jesus used this illustration with his disciples to show them that they need to pray all the time and never give up.
- Genesis 32:26Then the man said, “Let me go; it’s almost dawn.” But Jacob answered, “I won’t let you go until you bless me.”
- Matthew 15:22A Canaanite woman from that territory came ⌞to him⌟ and began to shout, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon.”
- Romans 15:30Brothers and sisters, I encourage you through our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love that the Spirit creates, to join me in my struggle. Pray to God for me
- 2 Corinthians 12:8I begged the Lord three times to take it away from me.
- Colossians 2:1I want you to know how hard I work for you, for the people of Laodicea, and for people I have never met.
- Colossians 4:12Epaphras, a servant of Christ Jesus from your city, greets you. He always prays intensely for you. He prays that you will continue to be mature and completely convinced of everything that God wants.
Commentaries on Luke 11:8
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 8I tell you - The Latin Vulgate here adds, “if he shall continue knocking.” Though this is not in the Greek, yet it is indispensable that it should be understood in order to the sense. Knocking “once” would not denote “importunity,” but it was because he “continued” knocking. His importunity - His troublesome perseverance; his continuing to disturb the man, and refusing to take any denial. The word “importunity” denotes perseverance in an object, without…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 5-13Verses 5-13 Christ encourages fervency and constancy in prayer. We must come for what we need, as a man does to his neighbour or friend, who is kind to him. We must come for bread; for that which is needful. If God does not answer our prayers speedily, yet he will in due time, if we continue to pray. Observe what to pray for; we must ask for the Holy Spirit, not only as necessary in order to our praying well, but as all spiritual blessings are included in…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 8because of the man’s persistence (or in order to avoid shame, or so his reputation will not be damaged): The man who refused to get up would also be shamed, because hospitality was a duty in that community. In the same way, God protects his good name by caring for his people.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 5-85-8. at midnight ... for a friend is come--The heat in warm countries makes evening preferable to-day for travelling; but "midnight" is everywhere a most unseasonable hour of call, and for that very reason it is here selected.Read the comment
Topics related to Luke 11:8
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Luke 11
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Catena Aurea
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- John Lightfoot Commentary
- Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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