5Jesus said to them, "Which of you will have a friend and will go to him at midnight and say to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves— [11:6] for a friend of mine has arrived off the road to me, and I have nothing to set before him'— [11:7] and that one will answer from within, 'Do not bother me. The door has already been shut, and my children are in bed with me. I cannot get up to give you anything'? [11:8] I say to you, even if he will not get up and give him anything because of being his friend, yet because of his shamelessness he will get up and give him as much as he needs. [11:9] And I say to you: ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened for you. [11:10] For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. [11:11] Which father among you— if his son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? [11:12] Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? [11:13] If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father from heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?"
LUK 11:5-13
Ask, Seek, Knock
In the world it was spoken into
In the 1st-century Mediterranean world, hospitality was a sacred duty, deeply embedded in social and cultural norms. A traveler arriving unexpectedly, especially at night, would rely on the host to provide food and shelter, even if it meant inconveniencing others. The parable assumes this cultural expectation, where refusing such a request would bring shame to the household. The term (philos) underscores the relational obligation, as friendships were bound by reciprocal duties. The neighbor’s reluctance, citing (kopos), reflects the physical and social strain of disrupting a household’s rest, particularly in a culture where nighttime activity was rare and dangerous. Yet, the persistence (, anaideia) of the request overrides these barriers, emphasizing boldness in seeking help. The contrast between human reluctance and divine generosity highlights the cultural assumption that even flawed humans, bound by social norms, would eventually respond to persistent appeals. This framing would resonate with listeners familiar with the honor-shame dynamics and the high value placed on hospitality in their communities.
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How other translations render this
LUK 11:5
- KJV
- 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;
- BSB
- Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose one of you goes to his friend at midnight and says, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread,
- Koinōnos
- Jesus said to them, "Which of you will have a friend and will go to him at midnight and say to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves—
LUK 11:6
- KJV
- For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him?
- BSB
- because a friend of mine has come to me on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him.’
- Koinōnos
- for a friend of mine has arrived off the road to me, and I have nothing to set before him'—
LUK 11:7
- KJV
- And 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.
- BSB
- And 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.’
- Koinōnos
- and that one will answer from within, 'Do not bother me. The door has already been shut, and my children are in bed with me. I cannot get up to give you anything'?
LUK 11:8
- KJV
- 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.
- BSB
- I tell you, even though he will not get up to provide for him because of his friendship, yet because of the manʼs persistence, he will get up and give him as much as he needs.
- Koinōnos
- I say to you, even if he will not get up and give him anything because of being his friend, yet because of his shamelessness he will get up and give him as much as he needs.
LUK 11:9
- KJV
- And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
- BSB
- So 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.
- Koinōnos
- And I say to you: ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened for you.
LUK 11:10
- KJV
- For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
- BSB
- For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
- Koinōnos
- For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.
LUK 11:11
- KJV
- If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?
- BSB
- What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead?
- Koinōnos
- Which father among you— if his son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead?
LUK 11:12
- KJV
- Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?
- BSB
- Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?
- Koinōnos
- Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?
LUK 11:13
- KJV
- If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?
- BSB
- So if you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”
- Koinōnos
- If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father from heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
LUK 11:5
- a friend,:The word translated 'a friend' here emphasizes a close, personal relationship, implying a bond of mutual obligation and shared life, not just a casual acquaintance.
LUK 11:7
- trouble:The word translated 'trouble' often refers to the physical exertion and weariness that comes from hard labor, suggesting a significant burden or effort.
LUK 11:8
- persistence:The word translated 'persistence' literally means 'shamelessness' or 'impudence,' highlighting a bold, insistent, and even audacious quality in the request, rather than mere perseverance.
LUK 11:13
- evil:The word translated 'evil' describes something that is not merely bad, but actively harmful, malicious, and destructive in its nature or effect.