New Testament
Luke 11:7
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
And your friend calls out from inside, 'Don't bother me. The door is already locked, and my children are in bed with me. I can't get up and give you anything.'
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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.
What Luke 11:7 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, a person inside a house responds to a friend knocking at the door late at night. The friend is reluctant to get up because the door is locked, and his children are asleep with him. This scenario illustrates the challenges of asking for help at inconvenient times. The reluctance of the person inside highlights the natural human tendency to prioritize personal comfort and family over external requests. It also sets the stage for a deeper lesson about persistence in prayer, as the following verses encourage believers to keep asking, seeking, and knocking, trusting that God will respond. This verse serves as a reminder that while people may be hesitant to help, God is always available and willing to listen to our needs, no matter the time or circumstance.
How to apply Luke 11:7 to your life
When faced with challenges or needs, we may feel hesitant to ask for help, especially at inconvenient times. This verse encourages us to be persistent in our requests, whether to friends or in prayer to God. Remember that God is always ready to listen and respond to our needs.
Curated for this public verse page. Luke Summary
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Plain Meaning
This is the voice of the man inside the house, refusing to get up. He gives three reasons: he does not want to be bothered, the door is already shut and locked for the night, and his children are in bed with him. Getting up would disturb the whole household. His answer is a flat refusal.
Read It in Context
Jesus is telling a story to illustrate prayer. A man goes to a friend's house at midnight to borrow three loaves of bread for an unexpected guest. Verse 7 is the friend's reply from inside. The story continues in verse 8, where Jesus says the man inside will eventually get up — not out of friendship, but because of the persistent knocking.
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At a Glance — the Book of Luke
- Author
- Luke the physician
- Written
- Around AD 60-62
- Genre
- Gospel and history
- Original Audience
- Gentile Christians (addressed to Theophilus)
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Luke 11:7 mean?
Luke 11:7 depicts a scenario where a person inside a house refuses to help a friend knocking at the door late at night. The reluctance highlights the natural human tendency to prioritize personal comfort and family over external requests.
What is the meaning of the phrase 'the door is already locked' in Luke 11:7?
The phrase 'the door is already locked' signifies the finality of the situation, indicating that the person inside feels it is too late or inconvenient to respond to the request for help.
How does Luke 11:7 relate to prayer?
Luke 11:7 serves as a reminder that, like the friend knocking at the door, we should be persistent in our prayers, trusting that God is always available to respond to our needs, regardless of the timing.
What lesson can we learn from Luke 11:7?
The lesson from Luke 11:7 is about the importance of persistence in asking for help, whether from friends or in prayer, and recognizing that God is always ready to listen and respond.
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