Luke 11:7

Luke 11:7, in plain English

The friend inside groans: 'Don't bother me! The door's locked, the kids are asleep, I can't get up.' He's got every reasonable excuse not to help.

Why it's here

In a tiny one-room house with the whole family asleep together, getting up really was a big deal. The resistance is understandable -- and that's the whole point of the story.

Who's speaking

The sleeping friend responds with the kind of excuse we've all made when someone needs us at an inconvenient time.

Where it sits in the story

Jesus isn't saying God is reluctant like this friend. He's building a contrast -- if even a grumpy neighbor will eventually help, imagine how much more your loving Father will.

The scholarly reading

The friend inside refuses, citing the inconvenience: the door is locked (ēdē kekleistai) and his children are sleeping. In a one-room peasant home, getting up would disturb the entire family.

Language and setting

Ancient Palestinian homes typically had one room where the whole family slept on a raised platform. The door's wooden bar lock was noisy to open, making the disruption significant.

Voice

The friend inside the house responds from his bed, listing reasons why he cannot help at this hour.

Significance

The resistance in the parable sets up the resolution. If even a reluctant human friend will eventually respond, how much more will a generous God?

5Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose one of you goes to his friend at midnight and says, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread,

6because a friend of mine has come to me on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him.’

7And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Do not bother me. My door is already shut, and my children and I are in bed. I cannot get up to give you anything.’

8I 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.

9So I tell you: Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you.

Read all of Luke 11 — The disciples ask for a prayer, and Jesus gives them words that have echoed for two thousand years. Then he warns against empty religion.