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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Luke 11:5 Then Jesus said to them, "Suppose one of you goes to his friend at midnight and says, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/luke/11-5.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/15/42_Luk_11_05.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Luke 11:5 - Ask, Seek, Knock" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Then Jesus said to them, Suppose one of you goes to his friend at midnight and says, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread," /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/luke/11-5.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/luke/11-5.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/luke/">Luke</a> > <a href="/luke/11.htm">Chapter 11</a> > Verse 5</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad5.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/luke/11-4.htm" title="Luke 11:4">◄</a> Luke 11:5 <a href="/luke/11-6.htm" title="Luke 11:6">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/luke/11.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/luke/11.htm">New International Version</a> Then Jesus said to them, &#8220Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, &#8216Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; <a href="/nlt/luke/11.htm">New Living Translation</a> Then, teaching them more about prayer, he used this story: “Suppose you went to a friend’s house at midnight, wanting to borrow three loaves of bread. You say to him, <a href="/esv/luke/11.htm">English Standard Version</a> And he said to them, “Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves, <a href="/bsb/luke/11.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose one of you goes to his friend at midnight and says, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, <a href="/blb/luke/11.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And He said to them, "Who among you will have a friend, and will go to him at midnight and say to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves, <a href="/kjv/luke/11.htm">King James Bible</a> 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; <a href="/nkjv/luke/11.htm">New King James Version</a> And He said to them, “Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves; <a href="/nasb_/luke/11.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> And He said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend, and goes to him at midnight and says to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves, <a href="/nasb/luke/11.htm">NASB 1995</a> Then He said to them, &#8220Suppose one of you has a friend, and goes to him at midnight and says to him, &#8216Friend, lend me three loaves; <a href="/nasb77/luke/11.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And He said to them, “Suppose one of you shall have a friend, and shall go to him at midnight, and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves; <a href="/lsb/luke/11.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Then He said to them, “Which of you has a friend and will go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves, <a href="/amp/luke/11.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Then He said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend, and goes to him at midnight and says, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves [of bread]; <a href="/csb/luke/11.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> He also said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend and goes to him at midnight and says to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, <a href="/hcsb/luke/11.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> He also said to them: &#8220Suppose one of you has a friend and goes to him at midnight and says to him, Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, <a href="/asv/luke/11.htm">American Standard Version</a> 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; <a href="/cev/luke/11.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Then Jesus went on to say: Suppose one of you goes to a friend in the middle of the night and says, "Let me borrow three loaves of bread. <a href="/erv/luke/11.htm">English Revised Version</a> 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; <a href="/gwt/luke/11.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Jesus said to his disciples, "Suppose one of you has a friend. Suppose you go to him at midnight and say, 'Friend, let me borrow three loaves of bread. <a href="/gnt/luke/11.htm">Good News Translation</a> And Jesus said to his disciples, "Suppose one of you should go to a friend's house at midnight and say, 'Friend, let me borrow three loaves of bread. <a href="/isv/luke/11.htm">International Standard Version</a> Then he told them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say to him, 'Friend, let me borrow three loaves of bread. <a href="/msb/luke/11.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Then Jesus said to them, ?Suppose one of you goes to his friend at midnight and says, ?Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, <a href="/net/luke/11.htm">NET Bible</a> Then he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, <a href="/nheb/luke/11.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> He said to them, "Which of you, if you go to a friend at midnight, and tell him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, <a href="/wbt/luke/11.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And he said to them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go to him at midnight, and say to him, Friend, lend me three loaves: <a href="/wey/luke/11.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> And He said to them, "Which of you shall have a friend and shall go to him in the middle of the night and say, "'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; <a href="/web/luke/11.htm">World English Bible</a> He said to them, “Which of you, if you go to a friend at midnight and tell him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/luke/11.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And He said to them, “Who of you will have a friend, and will go on to him at midnight, and may say to him, Friend, lend me three loaves, <a href="/blb/luke/11.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And He said to them, "Who among you will have a friend, and will go to him at midnight and say to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves, <a href="/ylt/luke/11.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> 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, <a href="/slt/luke/11.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And he said to them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go to him at midnight, and should say to him. Friend, lend me three loaves;<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/luke/11.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> 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, <a href="/cpdv/luke/11.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And he said to them: “Which of you will have a friend and will go to him in the middle of the night, and will say to him: ‘Friend, lend me three loaves, <a href="/nabre/luke/11.htm">New American Bible</a> And he said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend to whom he goes at midnight and says, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, <a href="/nrsvce/luke/11.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> And he said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread;<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/luke/11.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And he said to them, Who is among you who has a friend, and he should go to him at midnight, and say to him, My friend, loan me three loaves, <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/luke/11.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> And he said to them, “Who among you has a friend and will go to him at midnight and will say to him, “My friend, lend me three loaves”,<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/luke/11.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> And he said to them: Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go to him at midnight, and say to him, Friend, lend me three loaves; <a href="/godbey/luke/11.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> And He said to them, <FR>Which one of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight, and say to him, Friend, lend me three loaves;<Fr> <a href="/haweis/luke/11.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and he shall go to him at midnight, and say to him, Friend, lend me three loaves; <a href="/mace/luke/11.htm">Mace New Testament</a> Then he said to them, suppose any of you should go to his friend at midnight; and say to him, friend, lend me three loaves: <a href="/wey/luke/11.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> And He said to them, "Which of you shall have a friend and shall go to him in the middle of the night and say, "'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; <a href="/worrell/luke/11.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> And He said to them, <FR>"Who of you shall have a friend, and shall go to him at midnight, and say to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves;<Fr> <a href="/worsley/luke/11.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> And He said unto them, <FR>Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go to him at midnight, and say to him, Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine on his journey is come to me,<Fr> <a href="/parallel/luke/11-5.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3-5_0Jtd9Lc?start=4488" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/luke/11.htm">Ask, Seek, Knock</a> 4And forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.’ ” 5<a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: Kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">Then</a> <a href="/greek/2036.htm" title="2036: eipen (V-AIA-3S) -- Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.">Jesus said</a> <a href="/greek/4314.htm" title="4314: pros (Prep) -- To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward.">to</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autous (PPro-AM3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">them,</a> <a href="/greek/5101.htm" title="5101: Tis (IPro-NMS) -- Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.">“Suppose one</a> <a href="/greek/1537.htm" title="1537: ex (Prep) -- From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.">of</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: hymōn (PPro-G2P) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">you</a> <a href="/greek/4198.htm" title="4198: poreusetai (V-FIM-3S) -- To travel, journey, go, die. ">goes</a> <a href="/greek/4314.htm" title="4314: pros (Prep) -- To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward.">to</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: auton (PPro-AM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons."></a> <a href="/greek/2192.htm" title="2192: hexei (V-FIA-3S) -- To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold."></a> <a href="/greek/5384.htm" title="5384: philon (Adj-AMS) -- Friendly; subst: a friend, an associate. Properly, dear, i.e. A friend; actively, fond, i.e. Friendly.">his friend</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. "></a> <a href="/greek/3317.htm" title="3317: mesonyktiou (N-GNS) -- Midnight, the middle of the period between sunset and sunrise. Neuter of compound of mesos and nux; midnight.">at midnight</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/2036.htm" title="2036: eipē (V-ASA-3S) -- Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.">says,</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autō (PPro-DM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons."></a> <a href="/greek/5384.htm" title="5384: Phile (N-VMS) -- Friendly; subst: a friend, an associate. Properly, dear, i.e. A friend; actively, fond, i.e. Friendly.">‘Friend,</a> <a href="/greek/5531.htm" title="5531: chrēson (V-AMA-2S) -- To lend. Probably the same as the base of chraomai; to loan.">lend</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: moi (PPro-D1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">me</a> <a href="/greek/5140.htm" title="5140: treis (Adj-AMP) -- Three. Or neuter tria a primary number; three.">three</a> <a href="/greek/740.htm" title="740: artous (N-AMP) -- Bread, a loaf, food. From airo; bread or a loaf.">loaves of bread,</a> 6because a friend of mine has come to me on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him.’…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/matthew/7-7.htm">Matthew 7:7-11</a> Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. / For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. / Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? ... <a href="/james/1-5.htm">James 1:5</a> Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. <a href="/matthew/6-9.htm">Matthew 6:9-13</a> So then, this is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. / Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. / Give us this day our daily bread. ... <a href="/luke/18-1.htm">Luke 18:1-8</a> Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray at all times and not lose heart: / “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected men. / And there was a widow in that town who kept appealing to him, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ ... <a href="/hebrews/4-16.htm">Hebrews 4:16</a> Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. <a href="/1_john/5-14.htm">1 John 5:14-15</a> And this is the confidence that we have before Him: If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. / And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we already possess what we have asked of Him. <a href="/proverbs/3-27.htm">Proverbs 3:27-28</a> Do not withhold good from the deserving when it is within your power to act. / Do not tell your neighbor, “Come back tomorrow and I will provide”—when you already have the means. <a href="/isaiah/65-24.htm">Isaiah 65:24</a> Even before they call, I will answer, and while they are still speaking, I will hear. <a href="/psalms/50-15.htm">Psalm 50:15</a> Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor Me.” <a href="/jeremiah/33-3.htm">Jeremiah 33:3</a> Call to Me, and I will answer and show you great and unsearchable things you do not know. <a href="/matthew/21-22.htm">Matthew 21:22</a> If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” <a href="/mark/11-24.htm">Mark 11:24</a> Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. <a href="/john/14-13.htm">John 14:13-14</a> And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. / If you ask Me for anything in My name, I will do it. <a href="/john/15-7.htm">John 15:7</a> If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. <a href="/john/16-23.htm">John 16:23-24</a> In that day you will no longer ask Me anything. Truly, truly, I tell you, whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you. / Until now you have not asked for anything in My name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And he said to them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go to him at midnight, and say to him, Friend, lend me three loaves;<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/luke/11-3.htm">Bread</a> <a href="/luke/9-16.htm">Cakes</a> <a href="/luke/7-35.htm">Friend</a> <a href="/luke/9-39.htm">Goes</a> <a href="/luke/6-35.htm">Lend</a> <a href="/luke/6-9.htm">Middle</a> <a href="/mark/13-35.htm">Midnight</a> <a href="/luke/6-13.htm">Night</a> <a href="/luke/7-44.htm">Suppose</a> <a href="/luke/10-36.htm">Three</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/luke/11-7.htm">Bread</a> <a href="/john/6-9.htm">Cakes</a> <a href="/luke/11-6.htm">Friend</a> <a href="/luke/11-17.htm">Goes</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/1-11.htm">Lend</a> <a href="/luke/21-21.htm">Middle</a> <a href="/acts/16-25.htm">Midnight</a> <a href="/luke/12-20.htm">Night</a> <a href="/luke/11-11.htm">Suppose</a> <a href="/luke/12-52.htm">Three</a><div class="vheading2">Luke 11</div>1. <a href="/luke/11-1.htm">Jesus teaches us to pray, and that instantly;</a> 11. <a href="/luke/11-11.htm">assuring us that God will give all good things to those who ask him.</a> 14. <a href="/luke/11-14.htm">He, casting out a demon, rebukes the blasphemous Pharisees;</a> 27. <a href="/luke/11-27.htm">and shows who are blessed;</a> 29. <a href="/luke/11-29.htm">preaches to the people;</a> 37. <a href="/luke/11-37.htm">and reprimands the outward show of holiness.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/luke/11.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/luke/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/luke/11.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Then Jesus said to them, This phrase introduces a teaching moment from Jesus, often referred to as a parable. Jesus frequently used parables to convey spiritual truths through everyday situations. This method was effective in engaging His audience and making complex ideas more relatable.“Suppose one of you goes to his friend The scenario begins with a hypothetical situation, a common teaching technique in Jewish rabbinical tradition. The use of "friend" emphasizes the relational aspect of the parable, highlighting themes of community and mutual support, which were central to Jewish society.at midnight Midnight signifies an inconvenient time, underscoring the urgency and desperation of the request. In ancient times, travel was often avoided at night due to safety concerns, making this request even more unusual and pressing.and says, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, Bread was a staple in the diet of the time, symbolizing sustenance and hospitality. The request for "three loaves" suggests a need to provide for a guest, reflecting the cultural importance of hospitality in Jewish tradition. This echoes the biblical principle of caring for others, as seen in passages like <a href="/hebrews/13-2.htm">Hebrews 13:2</a>, which encourages hospitality to strangers.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus.htm">Jesus</a> The central figure in this passage, teaching His disciples about prayer and persistence through a parable. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_friend.htm">The Friend</a> Represents someone in need, seeking help from another friend at an inconvenient time. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_neighbor.htm">The Neighbor</a> The person being asked for help, symbolizing God in the parable, who responds to persistent requests. 4. <a href="/topical/m/midnight.htm">Midnight</a> A time indicating urgency and inconvenience, highlighting the persistence needed in prayer. 5. <a href="/topical/t/three_loaves_of_bread.htm">Three Loaves of Bread</a> Symbolizes a basic need, representing the requests we bring to God in prayer.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/p/persistence_in_prayer.htm">Persistence in Prayer</a> Jesus teaches that persistence is key in our prayer life. Just as the friend continues to ask despite the inconvenience, we should persistently bring our needs before God. <a href="/topical/g/god's_readiness_to_respond.htm">God's Readiness to Respond</a> The parable illustrates that God is willing to respond to our needs, even if it seems inconvenient. Our persistence is not about changing God's mind but aligning our hearts with His will. <a href="/topical/c/community_and_support.htm">Community and Support</a> The request for bread at midnight underscores the importance of community and supporting one another in times of need. We are called to be available and responsive to the needs of others. <a href="/topical/f/faith_and_trust.htm">Faith and Trust</a> Trusting in God's provision is crucial. The friend’s boldness in asking reflects a deep trust that his neighbor will respond. Similarly, we should have faith that God hears and answers our prayers. <a href="/topical/u/urgency_in_spiritual_matters.htm">Urgency in Spiritual Matters</a> The midnight setting suggests urgency. We should approach our spiritual needs with the same urgency, recognizing the importance of timely prayer and action.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_luke_11.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Luke 11</a> <a href="/q/what_is_the_bible's_view_on_tribalism.htm">What does 'importunity' mean in the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/why_do_bible_genealogies_conflict.htm">Why do biblical genealogies contradict each other?</a> <a href="/q/did_jesus_weep.htm">Did Jesus weep?</a> <a href="/q/have_you_shared_your_requests_with_god.htm">Have you shared your requests with God?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/luke/11.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(5) Which of you shall have a friend . . .?--The illustration, we can hardly call it a parable, is peculiar to St. Luke, and, as setting forth the power of prayer, is specially characteristic of him. (See Introduction.) The familiar tone, as of one appealing to each man's natural good-will, and the dramatic vividness of the dialogue, make it almost unique in our Lord's teaching. "Midnight" is chosen as being the time at which, above all others, men expect to be left to their repose. The unexpected visitor asks for "three loaves," one for himself, one for the guest, one as a reserve; and he so far trusts his friend as to hope that he will recognise the claims of his friendship for another. So, the implied lesson is, should the man who prays think that God will care for those for whom he pleads, and will give them also their "daily bread" in both the higher and the lower senses of the word.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/luke/11.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verses 5-13. - Prayer continued. The wisdom of perseverance in prayer is pressed. The Lord introduces his argument by the short parable of the selfish neighbor. Verse 5. - 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. This whole passage follows naturally the Lord's own formula of prayer. The teaching contained in vers. 1-13 may be well summarized as the Master's lesson on prayer. The disciples, when they heard Jesus pray, asked him to instruct them in the holy art. The Lord then suggested to them a series of short subjects for constant prayer, and further gave them words in which they could embody these subjects, and then proceeded to press upon them that this constant seeking help from God should never be interrupted; no discouragements were ever to prevent their praying. "See," said the Master, "this" (telling them the little parable) "is what God appears to be when prayer receives no answer." Of course, he is not what he appears to be (see ver. 9). The truth concerning God does not really come out before the words of ver. 9; but the parable, grotesque and quaint, and picturing a common scene of everyday life, arrested the attention then as it has done in many a million cases since, and told men out of heart and despairing of receiving any answer to their prayers, to think. Well, here is a case in point; but is God like this? The Lord replies shortly to this mute heart-query. At midnight. The whole picture is drawn from a poor man's house - children and parents sleeping in one room. "With me in bed" probably suggests what is common in an Eastern house, where a divan or raised platform (rendered here "bed") often filled well-nigh half the room. The hour midnight has nothing strained in it - it was frequently the practice in the East to travel by night, and so to escape the great heat of the day. <a href="/commentaries/luke/11-5.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>Then Καὶ (Kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. [Jesus] said εἶπεν (eipen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2036.htm">Strong's 2036: </a> Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say. to πρὸς (pros) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_4314.htm">Strong's 4314: </a> To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward. them, αὐτούς (autous) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. “[Suppose one] Τίς (Tis) Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5101.htm">Strong's 5101: </a> Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what. of ἐξ (ex) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1537.htm">Strong's 1537: </a> From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out. you ὑμῶν (hymōn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. goes πορεύσεται (poreusetai) Verb - Future Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4198.htm">Strong's 4198: </a> To travel, journey, go, die. to πρὸς (pros) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_4314.htm">Strong's 4314: </a> To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward. [his] friend φίλον (philon) Adjective - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5384.htm">Strong's 5384: </a> Friendly; subst: a friend, an associate. Properly, dear, i.e. A friend; actively, fond, i.e. Friendly. at midnight μεσονυκτίου (mesonyktiou) Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3317.htm">Strong's 3317: </a> Midnight, the middle of the period between sunset and sunrise. Neuter of compound of mesos and nux; midnight. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. says, εἴπῃ (eipē) Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2036.htm">Strong's 2036: </a> Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say. ‘Friend, Φίλε (Phile) Noun - Vocative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5384.htm">Strong's 5384: </a> Friendly; subst: a friend, an associate. Properly, dear, i.e. A friend; actively, fond, i.e. Friendly. lend χρῆσόν (chrēson) Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5531.htm">Strong's 5531: </a> To lend. Probably the same as the base of chraomai; to loan. me μοι (moi) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. three τρεῖς (treis) Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_5140.htm">Strong's 5140: </a> Three. Or neuter tria a primary number; 'three'. loaves [of bread], ἄρτους (artous) Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_740.htm">Strong's 740: </a> Bread, a loaf, food. From airo; bread or a loaf. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/luke/11-5.htm">Luke 11:5 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/luke/11-5.htm">Luke 11:5 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/luke/11-5.htm">Luke 11:5 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/luke/11-5.htm">Luke 11:5 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/luke/11-5.htm">Luke 11:5 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/luke/11-5.htm">Luke 11:5 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/luke/11-5.htm">Luke 11:5 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/luke/11-5.htm">Luke 11:5 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/luke/11-5.htm">Luke 11:5 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/luke/11-5.htm">Luke 11:5 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/luke/11-5.htm">NT Gospels: Luke 11:5 He said to them Which of you (Luke Lu Lk) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/luke/11-4.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Luke 11:4"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Luke 11:4" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/luke/11-6.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Luke 11:6"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Luke 11:6" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>