Charles Ellicott Commentary Luke 11:5

"And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say to him, Friend, lend me three loaves;" — Luke 11:5 (ASV)

Which of you shall have a friend . . .?—The illustration (we can hardly call it a parable) is peculiar to St. Luke, and, as setting forth the power of prayer, is especially characteristic of him. (See Introduction.) The familiar tone, as of one appealing to each person’s natural goodwill, and the dramatic vividness of the dialogue, make it almost unique in our Lord’s teaching. “Midnight” is chosen as being the time at which, above all others, people expect to be left to their repose. The unexpected visitor asks for “three loaves,” one for himself, one for the guest, one as a reserve; and he trusts his friend enough to hope that he will recognise the claims of his friendship for another. So, the implied lesson is that the man who prays should think that God will care for those for whom he pleads, and will give them also their “daily bread” in both the higher and the lower senses of the word.