Devine Scripture

Luke 11:5

What does Luke 11:5 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 11:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 11:5 means

Jesus introduces a parable to illustrate a point about persistence in prayer. He describes a late-night scenario where a person receives an unexpected guest. This host, lacking provisions, must seek help from a friend. The setting—midnight and the urgent need for three loaves—highlights the inconvenience and the friend's discomfort, setting the stage for the dramatic teaching on persistence.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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;

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he said to them, Which of you, having a friend, would go to him in the middle of the night and say to him, Friend, let me have three cakes of bread;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

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

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

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

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And he said to them, Who among you shall have a friend, and shall go to him at midnight and say to him, Friend, let me have three loaves,

Context

This verse begins a parable designed to further explain the nature of prayer, particularly the importance of persistence, building on the model prayer given just prior. It sets up a common human scenario to draw a parallel to how believers should approach God. The subsequent verses reveal the friend’s initial reluctance and the ultimate outcome, emphasizing importunity.

v.4And forgive us our sins; for we ourselves also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And bring us not into temptation.

v.5This passage

v.6for a friend of mine is come to me from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him;

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Luke 18:1

    And he spake a parable unto them to the end that they ought always to pray, and not to faint;

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