Devine Scripture

Luke 11:8

What does Luke 11:8 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 11:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 11:8 means

Jesus reveals the core lesson of the parable: the sleeping friend, despite initially refusing because of the inconvenience, will eventually rise and provide the needed loaves. The key is not the strength of the friendship, but the sheer "importunity"—the persistent, bold, and shameless asking—of the one in need. This teaches that persistence, even when inconvenient, can prevail.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

I say to you, Though he will not get up and give to him, because he is his friend, still, if he keeps on making his request, he will get up and give him as much as he has need of.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`I say to you, even if he will not give to him, having risen, because of his being his friend, yet because of his importunity, having risen, he will give him as many as he doth need;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Yet if he shall continue knocking, I say to you, although 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.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

— I say to you, Although he will not get up and give [them] to him because he is his friend, because of his shamelessness, at any rate, he will rise and give him as many as he wants.

Context

This verse delivers the crucial point of the parable of the importunate friend, explaining why the request is ultimately granted. It directly follows the friend's initial refusal and sets the stage for Jesus' direct instructions on prayer. This emphasizes that persistence is key, preparing the listener for the subsequent encouragement to "ask, seek, and knock" in prayer.

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?

v.8This passage

v.9And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

Cross references

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

  • 2 Corinthians 12:8

    Concerning this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

  • Romans 15:30

    Now I beseech you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ, and by the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;

  • Colossians 4:12

    Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, saluteth you, always striving for you in his prayers, that ye may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God.

  • 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 2:1

    For I would have you know how greatly I strive for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;

  • 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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