Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ New Living Translation And suppose he calls out from his bedroom, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is locked for the night, and my family and I are all in bed. I can’t help you.’ English Standard Version and he will answer from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything’? Berean Standard Bible 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.’ Berean Literal Bible And he, answering from within, may say, ‘Do not cause me trouble; already the door has been shut, and my children are with me in the bed. I am not able, having risen up, to give to you.’ King James Bible 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. New King James Version and he will answer from within and say, ‘Do not trouble me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give to you’? New American Standard Bible and from inside he answers and says, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been shut and my children and I are in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.’ NASB 1995 and from inside he answers and says, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been shut and my children and I are in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.’ NASB 1977 and from inside he shall answer and say, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been shut and my children and I are in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.’ Legacy Standard Bible and from inside he answers and says, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been shut and my children and I are in bed; I cannot rise up and give you anything.’ Amplified Bible and from inside he answers, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been shut and my children and I are in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.’ Berean Annotated Bible 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. Christian Standard Bible Then he will answer from inside and say, ‘Don’t bother me! The door is already locked, and my children and I have gone to bed. I can’t get up to give you anything.’ Holman Christian Standard Bible Then he will answer from inside and say, Don’t bother me! The door is already locked, and my children and I have gone to bed. I can’t get up to give you anything.’ American Standard Version 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? Contemporary English Version And suppose your friend answers, "Don't bother me! The door is bolted, and my children and I are in bed. I cannot get up to give you something." English Revised Version 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? GOD'S WORD® Translation Your friend might answer you from inside his house, 'Don't bother me! The door is already locked, and my children are in bed. I can't get up to give you anything.' Good News Translation And suppose your friend should answer from inside, 'Don't bother me! The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can't get up and give you anything.' International Standard Version Suppose he answers from inside, 'Stop bothering me! The door is already locked, and my children are here with us in the bedroom. I can't get up and give you anything!' NET Bible Then he will reply from inside, 'Do not bother me. The door is already shut, and my children and I are in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything.' New Heart English Bible and he from within will answer and say, 'Do not bother me. The door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give it to you'? Webster's Bible Translation 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. Weymouth New Testament "And he from indoors shall answer, "'Do not pester me. The door is now barred, and I am here in bed with my children. I cannot get up and give you bread.' Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleAnd 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.’ World English Bible and he from within will answer and say, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I can’t get up and give it to you’? Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand he from within answering may say, Do not give me trouble, the door has already been shut, and my children are with me in the bed, I am not able, having risen, to give to you. Berean Literal Bible And he, answering from within, may say, ‘Do not cause me trouble; already the door has been shut, and my children are with me in the bed. I am not able, having risen up, to give to you.’ Young's Literal Translation and he from within answering may say, Do not give me trouble, already the door hath been shut, and my children with me are in the bed, I am not able, having risen, to give to thee. Smith's Literal Translation And he within, having answered, should say, offer not weariness to me: already has the door been shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot having risen, give thee. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd he from within should 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. Catholic Public Domain Version And from within, he would answer by saying: ‘Do not disturb me. The door is closed now, and my children and I are in bed. I cannot get up and give it to you.’ New American Bible and he says in reply from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been locked and my children and I are already in bed. I cannot get up to give you anything.’ New Revised Standard Version And he answers from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been locked, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.’ Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleWould his friend from inside answer and say to him, Do not trouble me; the door is already locked, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and give you. Aramaic Bible in Plain English “And his friend from within will answer and will say to him, 'Do not disturb me, for behold, the door is bolted and my children are in bed with me; I cannot rise and give to you?' “ NT Translations Anderson New TestamentAnd he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not; the door is already closed, and my children and myself are in bed; I can not rise and give you. Godbey New Testament Haweis New Testament And he from within answering, shall say, Give me no farther trouble: my door is already locked, and my children are with me in bed; I am unable to rise and give thee. Mace New Testament and he within should give this answer, don't trouble me now: the door is made fast, and my family are all in bed: I can't get up to supply you. Weymouth New Testament "And he from indoors shall answer, "'Do not pester me. The door is now barred, and I am here in bed with my children. I cannot get up and give you bread.' Worrell New Testament Worsley New Testament Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Ask, Seek, Knock…6because a friend of mine has come to me on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him.’ 7And 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.’ 8I tell you, even though he will not get up to provide for him because of his friendship, yet because of the man’s persistence, he will get up and give him as much as he needs.… Cross References And suppose the one inside answers, Acts 12:13-16 He knocked at the outer gate, and a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer it. / When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed that she forgot to open the gate, but ran inside and announced, “Peter is standing at the gate!” / “You are out of your mind,” they told her. But when she kept insisting it was so, they said, “It must be his angel.” … Luke 12:36 Then you will be like servants waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks, they can open the door for him at once. Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him, and he with Me. ‘Do not bother me. Mark 5:35 While He was still speaking, messengers from the house of Jairus arrived and said, “Your daughter is dead; why bother the Teacher anymore?” Luke 8:49 While He was still speaking, someone arrived from the house of the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” he told Jairus. “Do not bother the Teacher anymore.” My door is already shut, Matthew 25:10 But while they were on their way to buy it, the bridegroom arrived. Those who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet, and the door was shut. Luke 13:25 After the master of the house gets up and shuts the door, you will stand outside knocking and saying, ‘Lord, open the door for us.’ But he will reply, ‘I do not know where you are from.’ Genesis 19:6 Lot went outside to meet them, shutting the door behind him. and my children and I are in bed. 1 Samuel 3:3-5 Before the lamp of God had gone out, Samuel was lying down in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was located. / Then the LORD called to Samuel, and he answered, “Here I am.” / He ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you have called me.” “I did not call,” Eli replied. “Go back and lie down.” So he went and lay down. Mark 4:38 But Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on the cushion. So they woke Him and said, “Teacher, don’t You care that we are perishing?” Psalm 4:8 I will lie down and sleep in peace, for You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety. I cannot get up to give you anything.’ Proverbs 6:9-11 How long will you lie there, O slacker? When will you get up from your sleep? / A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, / and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and need like a bandit. 1 Kings 17:12-13 But she replied, “As surely as the LORD your God lives, I have no bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. Look, I am gathering a couple of sticks to take home and prepare a meal for myself and my son, so that we may eat it and die.” / “Do not be afraid,” Elijah said to her. “Go and do as you have said. But first make me a small cake of bread from what you have, and bring it out to me. Afterward, make some for yourself and your son, 2 Kings 4:42-44 Now a man from Baal-shalishah came to the man of God with a sack of twenty loaves of barley bread from the first ripe grain. “Give it to the people to eat,” said Elisha. / But his servant asked, “How am I to set twenty loaves before a hundred men?” “Give it to the people to eat,” said Elisha, “for this is what the LORD says: ‘They will eat and have some left over.’” / So he set it before them, and they ate and had some left over, according to the word of the LORD. Matthew 7:7-11 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? … Luke 18:1-8 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.’ … Treasury of Scripture 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 you. Trouble. Luke 7:6 Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof: Galatians 6:17 From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus. the door. Luke 13:25 When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: Matthew 25:10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Jump to Previous Able Already Answers Barred Bed Bother Bread Children Disturb Door House Indoors Inside Pester Rise Risen Shut Trouble WithinJump to Next Able Already Answers Barred Bed Bother Bread Children Disturb Door House Indoors Inside Pester Rise Risen Shut Trouble WithinLuke 11 1. Jesus teaches us to pray, and that instantly;11. assuring us that God will give all good things to those who ask him. 14. He, casting out a demon, rebukes the blasphemous Pharisees; 27. and shows who are blessed; 29. preaches to the people; 37. and reprimands the outward show of holiness. And suppose the one inside answers This phrase sets the scene for a parable Jesus is telling about persistence in prayer. The "one inside" represents someone who is in a position to help but is initially reluctant. This reflects the cultural context of the time, where hospitality was a significant social duty, yet the inconvenience of the hour could lead to hesitation. ‘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.’ Persons / Places / Events 1. The Friend InsideRepresents someone who is initially reluctant to help due to inconvenience, symbolizing human reluctance and the challenges of persistence in prayer. 2. The Neighbor Represents the one in need, illustrating the importance of persistence and boldness in seeking help. 3. The House A typical setting in a parable, symbolizing the barriers or obstacles that might prevent immediate assistance. 4. The Children Represent the additional responsibilities and reasons for the friend's reluctance, highlighting the reality of life's distractions. 5. The Closed Door Symbolizes the initial barrier or challenge in receiving help or answers to prayer. Teaching Points Persistence in PrayerThe parable teaches the importance of being persistent in prayer, even when initial responses seem negative or delayed. Overcoming Barriers Just as the closed door represents obstacles, believers are encouraged to overcome barriers in their spiritual lives through faith and perseverance. Boldness in Approach The neighbor's boldness in asking for help is a model for how believers should approach God with confidence and trust. Understanding God's Timing The delay in response can teach us about God's perfect timing and the need for patience in waiting for His answers. Community and Support The parable underscores the importance of community and supporting one another, even when it is inconvenient. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Luke 11:7?2. How does Luke 11:7 illustrate persistence in prayer and its importance? 3. What does the friend's response in Luke 11:7 teach about human reluctance? 4. How can we apply the lesson of persistence from Luke 11:7 in daily life? 5. Compare Luke 11:7 with James 5:16 on the power of persistent prayer. 6. How does Luke 11:7 encourage us to overcome obstacles in seeking God's help? 7. What does Luke 11:7 reveal about God's response to persistent prayer? 8. How does Luke 11:7 challenge our understanding of divine timing? 9. Why does the friend in Luke 11:7 initially refuse to help? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Luke 11? 11. What does 'Wisdom is justified by her children' mean? 12. What did Jesus mean by 'Ask, Seek, Knock'? 13. How many animals did Jesus ride into Jerusalem? One (Mark 11:7, Luke 19:35) or two (Matthew 21:7)? 14. How many children of Pahrath-Moab were freed from Babylonian captivity? 2,812 (Ezra 2:6) or 2,818 (Nehemiah 7:11)? What Does Luke 11:7 Mean Do not bother me“And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Do not bother me.’” • The first response of the householder is a flat refusal. It pictures what happens when we begin to pray and nothing seems to move (cf. Luke 18:1–5, where the unjust judge resists the widow’s pleas). • Jesus is not portraying God as reluctant; He is contrasting earthly reluctance with heavenly readiness. If even a sleepy neighbor eventually helps, how much more will our Father respond when we persist (Luke 11:13; Romans 8:32). • The phrase underlines the testing of perseverance. Believers are urged elsewhere to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) and to “not lose heart” (2 Corinthians 4:1). My door is already shut “…‘My door is already shut…’” • In a first-century village, shutting the door signaled the end of public interaction. It represents what feels like a closed heaven when answers delay (Luke 13:25; Matthew 25:10). • Yet Revelation 3:8 reminds us that Christ places before His people “an open door that no one can shut.” The closed door in the parable highlights human limitation, setting the stage for God’s limitless access. • The image also warns: opportunity can be time-sensitive. When the Spirit prompts us to pray, we should knock immediately (Psalm 32:6). My children and I are in bed “…‘and my children and I are in bed…’” • In a one-room home, the family slept together. Rising would disturb everyone. The neighbor’s excuse underscores inconvenience. • Psalm 4:8 speaks of lying down in peace, but here peace becomes a rationale for inaction. The parable reminds us that real love is willing to be inconvenienced (1 John 3:17-18). • God never hides behind household comfort. “He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep” (Psalm 121:4). I cannot get up to give you anything “…‘I cannot get up to give you anything.’ ” • The householder claims inability, yet the next verse shows he does rise because of persistent knocking (Luke 11:8). Apparent impossibility yields to determined request. • Jesus later says, “Ask and it will be given to you…knock and the door will be opened to you” (Luke 11:9-10; cf. Matthew 7:7-11). The parable moves from “I cannot” to God’s “I will.” • The contrast teaches that when we meet refusal on earth, we can appeal to heaven. Daniel 10:12-13 reveals that heavenly answers may be delayed, not denied. summary Luke 11:7 paints a neighbor who is annoyed, closed off, comfortable, and seemingly unable to help. Jesus uses that picture to encourage persistent prayer: if such a person can finally be moved, how much more swiftly and generously will our ever-awake, ever-willing Father respond. Keep knocking; the door of heaven is open. (7) Trouble me not.--As afterwards in the parable of the Unjust Judge, so here, the illustrative matter cannot be pressed into an interpretation. It seems, indeed, to have been purposely so stated that it could only suggest an a fortiori argument. Thus man might answer, but so does not God. If prayer prevails over apathy and impatience, how much more will it prevail when we pray to One who knows our necessities before we ask Him? The picture drawn is obviously from a poor man's house, children and parents sleeping in the same room, the younger children (the Greek word is a diminutive) in the same bed. The word here, however, differs from the other two commonly translated "bed" (e.g., Matthew 9:2; Matthew 9:6; Mark 2:4; Mark 2:9), and probably means the divan or raised platform, which often filled nearly half a room in a Jewish or Eastern house.Greek And [the one]Κἀκεῖνος (Kakeinos) Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 2548: And he, she, it, and that. From kai and ekeinos; likewise that. inside ἔσωθεν (esōthen) Adverb Strong's 2081: From eso; from inside; also used as equivalent to eso. answers, ἀποκριθεὶς (apokritheis) Verb - Aorist Participle Passive - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 611: From apo and krino; to conclude for oneself, i.e. to respond; by Hebraism to begin to speak. ‘{Do} not Μή (Mē) Adverb Strong's 3361: Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether. bother κόπους (kopous) Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural Strong's 2873: From kopto; a cut, i.e. toil, literally or figuratively; by implication, pains. me. μοι (moi) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Singular Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. [My] ἡ (hē) Article - Nominative Feminine Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. door θύρα (thyra) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular Strong's 2374: (a) a door, (b) met: an opportunity. Apparently a primary word; a portal or entrance. {is} already ἤδη (ēdē) Adverb Strong's 2235: Already; now at length, now after all this waiting. Apparently from e and de; even now. shut κέκλεισται (kekleistai) Verb - Perfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 2808: To shut, shut up. A primary verb; to close. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. my μου (mou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. children παιδία (paidia) Noun - Nominative Neuter Plural Strong's 3813: Neuter diminutive of pais; a childling, i.e., an infant, or a half-grown boy or girl; figuratively, an immature Christian. are εἰσίν (eisin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. with μετ’ (met’) Preposition Strong's 3326: (a) gen: with, in company with, (b) acc: (1) behind, beyond, after, of place, (2) after, of time, with nouns, neut. of adjectives. me ἐμοῦ (emou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. in εἰς (eis) Preposition Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases. bed. κοίτην (koitēn) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular Strong's 2845: From keimai; a couch; by extension, cohabitation; by implication, the male sperm. I cannot δύναμαι (dynamai) Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 1st Person Singular Strong's 1410: (a) I am powerful, have (the) power, (b) I am able, I can. Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible. get up ἀναστὰς (anastas) Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 450: To raise up, set up; I rise from among (the) dead; I arise, appear. From ana and histemi; to stand up. to give δοῦναί (dounai) Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active Strong's 1325: To offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give. you [anything].’ σοι (soi) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Singular Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. Links Luke 11:7 NIVLuke 11:7 NLT Luke 11:7 ESV Luke 11:7 NASB Luke 11:7 KJV Luke 11:7 BibleApps.com Luke 11:7 Biblia Paralela Luke 11:7 Chinese Bible Luke 11:7 French Bible Luke 11:7 Catholic Bible NT Gospels: Luke 11:7 And he from within will answer (Luke Lu Lk) |
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