Luke 11:6
What does Luke 11:6 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 11:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 11:6 means
The friend explains his predicament: an unexpected traveler has arrived from a journey, and he has nothing to offer for hospitality. In ancient Near Eastern culture, hospitality was a sacred duty, making the lack of provisions a matter of shame. This detail emphasizes the urgency and the genuine need of the first friend, justifying his late-night request for bread.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000for a friend of mine is come to me from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him;
KJV
King James Version · 1611For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901for a friend of mine is come to me from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Because a friend of mine has come to me on a journey, and I have nothing to put before him;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862seeing a friend of mine came out of the way unto me, and I have not what I shall set before him,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Because a friend of mine is come off his journey to me and I have not what to set before him.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890since a friend of mine on a journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him;
Context
Continuing the parable from the previous verse, this explains the reason for the midnight request for bread. It details the urgent and culturally significant need that compels the first friend to disturb his neighbor. This explanation of the dire circumstances makes the neighbor's subsequent reluctance more striking, setting up the lesson about persistent asking.
v.5And 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;
v.6This passage
v.7and he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee?
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