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What is the meaning of the parable of the friend in need (persistent neighbor)?



      

Luke 11:5 - 10

ESV - 5 And he said to them, "Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves. 6 For a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him'.

Clarify Share Report Asked July 01 2013 Mini Anonymous (via GotQuestions)

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Shea S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries
Immediately after teaching the disciples to pray the Lord's Prayer, Jesus told the story of the neighbor who was in need of bread for a visitor (Luke 11:5-10). The disciples had just asked Him to t...

July 01 2013 0 responses Vote Up Share Report


2
Stringio Oun Kwon Supporter
It is not about 'boldness' 'persistence' 'shameless audacity'. Does even your earthly father answer because you have to keep bug him? No. the loving father knows all and well, even before you ask, always eager to give and looking for an opportunity to give and give - boundless love our Father has. Do we need 24 hour prayer run for something to get from God, really? Unless God is deaf and slumbers.

The theme of this pericope is poorly understood by most with Western mindset. It tells God answers because He wants us honored.  (Not to be confused with Lk 18:1-8 'widow and a worldly judge'.) 
V. 8 reads "I tell you this: even if someone may not stir himself up for friendship's sake to give out something, yet, knowing his friend is out there feeling ashamed, there is no other way than getting up to honor him and give as much as needed."
Without understanding the oriental culture, what Luke was telling does not come to us easy. All the interpersonal or business relation is run by saving one's face and others' in that culture. See an on-going project of English translation of NT in IRENT series, download from http://tiny.cc/bostonreaders

July 15 2013 2 responses Vote Up Share Report


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