Book of Luke - Chapter 11 - Verse 7

This verse comes from the gospel of Luke, where Jesus tells the parable of a man who goes to his friend's house at midnight to ask for some bread. The friend initially refuses to help, stating that the door is shut and his children are in bed with him. In this context, the friend represents the people of the world, while the man seeking bread represents God. The friend's reluctance to get up and help mirrors the reluctance of some people to ask God for help. However, the man's persistence in knocking on the door until he receives what he needs shows the importance of perseverance in prayer. This verse serves as a reminder to believers to be persistent in seeking God's help, even when it seems as though their requests are going unanswered. It highlights the importance of faith and persistence in prayer, encouraging believers to keep seeking God's assistance with confidence that he will provide for their needs.

When examining the theological interpretation of the verse “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,” one can see that it highlights the concept of persistence in prayer. The man in the story initially refuses to help his neighbor, but after the neighbor persists in asking, he eventually does so. This can be seen as a metaphor for approaching God in prayer continuously, without giving up. In terms of word studies, the phrase “Trouble me not” conveys a sense of inconvenience or disturbance, emphasizing the urgency and persistence of the request being made. Additionally, the mention of the door being shut and the children being in bed further underscores the idea of not wanting to be disturbed. Despite these obstacles, the man eventually relents and helps his neighbor, illustrating the importance of perseverance in prayer.