Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Luke 11:8
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.
8. yet because of his importunity ] Literally, ‘ shamelessness ’ (Vulg. improbitas), ‘impudence,’ i.e. unblushing persistence, which is not however selfish, but that he may do his duty towards another. Isa 62:6, “Ye that make mention of the Lord, keep not silence, and give him no rest, till he establish, &c.” Abraham furnishes a grand example of this fearless persistence (Gen 18:23-33). Archbishop Trench quotes the beautiful passage in Dante’s Paradiso:
“Regnum caelorum violenzia pate
Da caldo amore e da viva speranza, &c.”
he will rise ] not merely half raise himself, or get out of bed, as in Luk 11:7 ( anastas), but ‘thoroughly aroused and getting up’ (egertheis).
as many as he needeth
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
I tell you – The Latin Vulgate here adds, if he shall continue knocking. Though this is not in the Greek, yet it is indispensable that it should be understood in order to the sense. Knocking once would not denote importunity, but it was because he continued knocking.
His importunity – His troublesome perseverance; his continuing to disturb the man, and refusing to take any denial. The word importunity denotes perseverance in an object, without any regard to time, place, or circumstances – an improper perseverance. By this the man was influenced. Rather than be disturbed he would rise and give what was asked. This is to be applied to God in no other sense than that he often hears prayers and grants blessings even long after they appear to be unanswered or withheld. He does not promise to give blessings at once. He promises only that he will do it, or will answer prayer. But he often causes his people long to wait. He tries their faith. He leaves them to persevere for months or years, until they feel entirely their dependence on him, until they see that they can obtain the blessing in no other way, and until they are prepared to receive it. Often they are not prepared to receive it when they ask it at first. They may be proud, or have no just sense of their dependence, or they would not value the blessing, or it may at that time not be best for them to obtain it. But let no one despair. If the thing is for our good, and if it is proper that it should be granted, God will give it. Let us first ask aright; let us see that our minds are in a proper state; let us feel our need of the blessing; let us inquire whether God has promised such a blessing, and then let us persevere until God gives it. Again: people, when they ask anything of God, often give over seeking. They go once, and if it is not granted they are discouraged. It is not so when we ask anything of people. Then we persevere; we take no denial; we go again, and press the matter until we obtain it. So we should of God. We should go again and again, until the prayer is heard, and God grants what we ask of him.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
8. importunityThe word is astrong one”shamelessness”; persisting in the face of allthat seemed reasonable, and refusing to take a denial.
as many, &c.Hisreluctance once overcome, all the claims of friendship and necessityare felt to the full. The sense is obvious: If the churlish andself-indulgentdeaf both to friendship and necessitycan after apositive refusal, be won over, by sheer persistency, to do all thatis needed, how much more may the same determined perseverancein prayer be expected to prevail with Him whose very nature is “richunto all that call upon Him” (Ro10:12).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
I say unto you,…. This is the accommodation of the parable; to these words are premised, in the Vulgate Latin version, the following, “if he continue knocking”:
though he will not rise and give him, because he is a friend; though mere friendship will not influence and engage him to rise from his bed, at such an unseasonable time, and fulfil the request of his friend;
yet because of his importunity, he will rise and give him as many as he needeth: as he asks for, or more, if necessary: the design of this parable, is the same with that of the widow and the unjust judge, in Lu 18:1 which is to show the force of importunity, where friendship, as here, and the fear of God, and regard of men, which were wanting there, have no influence; and so to encourage to constancy and perseverance in prayer, with earnestness; taking no denial at the hand of God, but still continuing to make pressing instances.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Though ( ). would be “Even if,” a different idea.
Because he is his friend ( ). and the accusative articular infinitive with accusative of general reference, a causal clause=”because of the being a friend of his.”
Yet because of his importunity ( ). From , shameless, and that from privative and , shame, shamelessness, impudence. An old word, but here alone in the N.T. Examples in the papyri. The use of here, one of the intensive particles, is to be noted. It sharpens the contrast to “though” by “yet.” As examples of importunate prayer Vincent notes Abraham in behalf of Sodom (Ge 18:23-33) and the Syro-Phoenician woman in behalf of her daughter (Mt 15:22-28).
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Importunity [] . Only here in New Testament. A very striking word to describe persistence. Lit., shamelessness. As related to prayer, it is illustrated in the case of Abraham ‘s intercession for Sodom (Gen 18:23 – 33); and of the Syro – Phoenician woman (Mt 14:22 – 28).
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “I say unto you,” (lego humin) “I tell you all,” as a principle that is vital in prayer, Luk 18:1; 1Th 5:17.
2) Though he will not rise and give him,” (ei kai ou dose! auto anastas) “Even if he will not rise up and give (dole out) to him,” in an hour of need, for reasons, of privacy, and not waking up his children, etc.
3) “Because he is his friend,” (dia to einai philon autou) “On account of friendship,” or because he is a friend, who is to stand by a friend in adversity, as well as when the sun is shining, Pro 17:7.
4) “Yet because of his importunity,” (dia ge ten anaideian autou) “Yet on account of his importunity,” or his persistent, earnest, repeated appeal, unweary in well-doing, steadfast in his desire to show hospitality, 1Co 15:58; Heb 13:1; Mar 10:47-52.
5) “He will rise and give him as many as he needeth.” (egertheis dose! auto hoson chrezei) “Rising up he will give to him as many (loaves) as he needs,” Gal 6:9; Jas 2:14-16; Php_4:19; Luk 18:1-8. Abraham thus fed guests in travel, Gen 18:6-8; Mat 15:27-28.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
(8) Because of his importunity.Literally, because of his shamelessness. The word is not used elsewhere in the New Testament, and exactly expresses the pertinacity that knows no restraint.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
8. Because of his importunity The word rendered importunity here means shamelessness. Whether shame be wrong or right depends very much upon what we are ashamed of. Some men are proud of what they ought to be ashamed of, and ashamed of what would be a true dignity. Very many are not ashamed to sin, and yet are ashamed to pray for pardon; much more to have others pray for their pardon. Others are not ashamed to pray, but are ashamed to be seen praying for others, who seek Christian intercession.
But the shamelessness of the man in the parable consisted in a persistence in his prayer which no shame could check or stop. He feels that it is no time for delicacy. So God may wait until he sees that we have, by our long perseverance, fully committed ourselves to a position which we may by his grace permanently retain. Thus a wise delay in him begets stability in us.
Note, then, that it is not true, in the sense that many affirm it, that our prayers have an effect on us only, and not on God. God’s immutability does not require that he should treat the same man who is first impenitent, and afterwards penitent, alike. God does immutably deal with men according to their works. As the same unchangable sun softens the wax and hardens the clay, so does God sustain and save us in our penitence, and harden and condemn us in our obduracy. Those, who say that prayer affects only ourselves and not God, can never consistently pray at all. It is impossible to frame a real prayer to God which does not imply that God may comply with our request.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
“I say to you, Though he will not rise and give him because he is his friend, yet because of his unwillingness to take no for an answer he will arise and give him as many as he needs.”
The man is, however, persistent. He will not take no for an answer and keeps on banging on the door. This is not recommended behaviour, it is illustrating a point. And because the neighbour recognises that he will not take no for an answer, he reluctantly gets up and gives him what he has asked for to the full extent of his needs. It is the only way that he and his family will get any sleep.
The lessons are simple:
If you want ‘daily bread’ from God with which to feed yourself and others you must ask persistently.
If you go on asking persistently you will receive it, for God is not unwilling like this man but wants to give it to you.
The story is then applied. It is God’s desire to give the Holy Spirit to all who ask Him, and on a continual basis. This equates ‘Tomorrow’s bread’ with the Holy Spirit. But those who would continue to enjoy the new age of the Spirit must be persistent. They must want more and more.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
8 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.
Ver. 8. Because of his importunity ] Gr. His impudency, ; a metaphor from beggars, that will not be said nay, but are impudently importunate.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
8. ] is too mildly rendered by ‘ importunity ,’ E. V. It should be shamelessness. It is presupposed here that the postulant goes on knocking and asking.
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Luk 11:8 . : introducing a confident assertion. . ., yet at least on account of, etc. He may give or not give for friendship’s sake, but he must give for his own sake. (here only in N.T.), the total disregard of domestic privacy and comfort shown by persistent knocking; very indecent from the point of view of the man in bed ( = , Euthym.).
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
not. Greek. ou. App-105.
because = on account of. Greek. dia. App-104. Luk 11:2.
importunity = shamelessness, impudence. Greek. anaideia. Occurs only here in N.T.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
8.] is too mildly rendered by importunity, E. V. It should be shamelessness. It is presupposed here that the postulant goes on knocking and asking.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Luk 11:8. , I say) Almost all the codices of the Latin Vulg. omit the clause, Et si ille perseveraverit pulsans, or et ille si perseveraverit pulsans.[105] See App. Crit. Ed. ii. on this passage. It might seem to be a gloss from Act 12:16, Petrus autem perseverabat pulsans. But Bede, Augustine, Ambrose, and especially Tertullian, set aside this conjecture. See lib. de Or. cap. 6, where Tertullian says, Sed et nocturnus ille PULSATOR panem PULSABAT. Add his lib. de Prscript. c. 11 and 12, and his lib. iv. c. Marcion, ch. 26. The more recent Armenian translators, and the old English Versions, follow the Latin; [however the Germ. Vers. of Bengel himself does not follow it.-E. B.]- , because that he is) God hears on account of His own love, and is not affected by sense of trouble.- , shameless importunity) unabashed boldness, shown in coming by night. [In prayer, we must not proceed with timidity, but ask, seek, knock: ch. Luk 18:1; Luk 18:5; Luk 18:7; Psa 55:18.-V. g.] In the case of such an importunate petitioner, it would cost one less trouble to grant his request than to refuse it. Comp. ch. Luk 18:5. The order of the words is well-considered,- – : though he will not give rising up-yet being aroused he will give. Friendship might have impelled him to give [but it did not]: shameless importunity, persevering in knocking, does impel him to the labour of rising [therefore the giving is made prominent by being first in the former clause; the rising in the latter].-, as many as) even if the loaves asked for be more than what urgent necessity requires. It is no greater inconvenience now to give many, than to give three, or even one loaf.
[105] c has it, and some old MSS. of Vulg.-ED. and TRANSL.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
because of: Luk 18:1-8, Gen 32:26, Mat 15:22-28, Rom 15:30, 2Co 12:8, Col 2:1, Col 4:12
Reciprocal: Gen 18:31 – General Gen 19:3 – pressed Gen 19:21 – I Jdg 14:17 – she lay Jdg 16:16 – she pressed 1Sa 1:12 – continued praying 1Ki 18:37 – Hear me 2Ki 2:17 – they urged Psa 86:3 – for I Dan 9:19 – forgive Mat 15:25 – came Mat 20:31 – but they cried Mat 21:22 – General Luk 18:5 – because Luk 18:39 – but Joh 4:10 – thou wouldest
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
THE FRIEND AT MIDNIGHT
Because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.
Luk 11:8
The parable of the friend at midnight is one of the most striking pictures in the Gospel gallery. It is a picture of importunityan importunity which you must exercise when you prefer your requests to God. The story suggests certain important reflections.
I. Why does God delay to answer prayer?Let us take the parable as our guide. God may oftentimes delay to answer prayer
(a) Not because the request in itself is wrong. This man was not wrong (i.) in the occasion of his petition; (ii.) in the matter of his petition; (iii.) as to the purpose for which he desired the gift. Yet the request was for a time refused, or the answer was at least postponed.
(b) But to see if we are in earnest in preferring our request. If the arrow of prayer, says an old writer, is to enter heaven, we must draw it from a soul full bent. What insults have we frequently offered to God by our hurried and careless petitions!
(c) And again, because God will have us longer at His feet.
(d) Yet, once more, because He would prepare us for receiving the blessing when it comes.
Those prayers that are longest in being answered are often most richly answered at last, just as those ships which are latest in coming into port often have the richest cargo.
We have seen some of the reasons for delay. Notice, now, some of
II. The encouragements to persevere in prayer.The force of the parable lies not in parallel, but in contrast. What, then, are the contrasts in which encouragement is to be found?
(a) The condition of the donor. He that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
(b) The time of the application. The visitor came in the dead of night, but our petitions are offered in midday. This is the time to pray.
(c) Gods nature is the very opposite to that of the man in the parable. This man was selfish, but the nature of God is to give. This man would not rise and give simply because he was the friend of him who asked. When at length he rose, it was to save himself further annoyance. But God delights to bestow. He gives not to get rid of the applicant, but to manifest towards him His unfailing compassion and pity.
Let the parable, therefore, encourage us steadfastly to follow the pathway of prayer, the path trodden by our Saviour Himself, the path trodden by the saints that have gone before us.
Rev. E. W. Moore.
Illustration
In that most interesting and thrilling account of Dr. Patons missionary work in the New Hebrides, we have a remarkable instance of answered prayer in the discovery of water. The Lord, Dr. Paton was convinced, directed him to the place where water could be found, to the amazement of the natives. But yet there must be the patient digging of the well. The water was there, but it must be dug for; it was beneath their feet, but it only yielded itself to hard work. And so the Water of Life is accessible, placed within our reach, but if it is to be ours there must be intensity in the asking. There must be the evidence that we are in earnest.
(SECOND OUTLINE)
IMPORTUNITY IN PRAYER
Some people say prayer is of little or no use. At any rate, they believe it is never answered. But it is a fact that there are millions now living who are like a great cloud of witnesses to the power of prayer.
I. Conditions of prayer.If you are to pray you must
(a) Believe in the existence of God. He that cometh to God must believe that He is (i.e. that He exists), and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him (Heb 11:6). We may put it in this wayeither God hears prayer, or we are all orphans in a lonely, fatherless world.
(b) Believe in His government of the world. God, as we know, governs the world by laws. Can prayer alter those laws? God governs the world by laws, but He is not the slave of those laws. They do not rule Him, else He would not be God. He rules them.
(c) Believe in His willingness to answer. Hear the comfortable words of the Blessed Lord recorded by John: Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in My Name, He will give it you (Luk 16:23).
(d) And Christ would have men persevere in prayer. To this end He spoke the parable we are considering. Our Lord adds, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. Each of these words denotes a more earnest supplication. If you do not get by asking, then seek; if you do not get by seeking, then besiege the door of heaven with loud knocks. Ask! Seek! Knock!
II. The golden key of prayer.God has given us this golden key of prayer, a key that will open all hard locks. What are you doing with it? Is the key kept bright by daily, hourly, constant use? or is it rusty because hardly ever used at all? You cannot too often remember, All goeth right when that is bright.
III. The joy of prayer.The more you persevere the more you will find the joy of prayer; and, I may add, the power of prayer. Bring your broken vessels, bring your empty vessels to God, for He needs not your strength, but your weakness. Open thy mouth wide, He says, and I will fill it (Psa 81:10). For from of old men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen a God beside Thee which worketh for him that waiteth for Him (Isa 64:4, R.V.). And He is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think (Eph 3:20). With such promises as these let the weak say, I am strong.
Rev. F. Harper.
Illustrations
(1) Luther used to say, I have so much to do; I cannot get on without three hours a day of praying. And it has been well said, Never think lightly of that mans religion who gets answers to prayer.
(2)Lord, what a change within us one short hour
Spent in Thy Presence will prevail to make,
What heavy burdens from our bosoms take,
What parched grounds refresh, as with a shower!
We kneel, and all around us seems to lower;
We rise, and all the distant and the near
Stands forth in sunny outline, brave and clear:
We kneel, how weak; we rise, how full of power!
Why, therefore, should we do ourselves this wrong,
Or others, that we are not always strong,
That we are ever overborne with care,
That we should ever weak or heartless be,
Anxious or troubled, when with us is prayer;
And joy, and strength, and courage are with Thee?
Fuente: Church Pulpit Commentary
8
No illustration is intended to apply at all angles. God is not to be regarded as this householder is described, for that is not the point of the parable. The comparison is in the word importunity which means persistence. We are taught to have a faith that will not shrink because we do not receive what we think we need, or do not receive it as soon as desired.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Luk 11:8. Importunity, lit, shamelessness. The persistent knocking and asking, unshamed by refusal, not ashamed to endure, is thus brought out.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
11:8 I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his {b} importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.
(b) Literally, “impudence”: but that impudency which is spoken of here is not to be found fault with, but is very commendable before God, for he is well pleased by such importunity.