Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Luke 11:7

"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?" — Luke 11:7 (ASV)

The point of the parable depends partly on the context and partly on the meaning of the word “persistence” or “boldness” (NIV, NASB; GK 357) or “importunity” (RSV, KJV). If it means the former, the parable would seem to teach that if we persist long enough, God will finally answer our prayers. But since the Bible refers frequently to God’s eagerness to grant our requests, “boldness” is a more likely translation. This parable then presents a contrast to the way God answers prayer. If in human circumstances one will respond to a request, even though reluctantly, if pressed hard enough, surely God will answer and do so far more graciously (cf. 18:1–8).