New Testament
Luke 11:7
The Clear Bible Translation matches the King James Version, written at a 10th-grade reading level in plain English
At a Glance
In this verse, a person inside a house responds to a friend knocking at the door late at night.
- Author
- Luke the physician
- Written
- Around AD 60-62
- Genre
- Gospel and history
- Original Audience
- Gentile Christians (addressed to Theophilus)
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.'
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.
Verse Analysis
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.
Related Bible verses
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
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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