Luke 11:8

"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’?"

Key Reflection

This verse illustrates the importance of persistence in prayer, showing that even when faced with obstacles or reluctance, one must keep asking because eventually, God will answer as surely as the friend who ultimately gets up despite initial refusal.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Verse 8. 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.

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