For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him?

LUKE 11:6KJV
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Luke 11:6 (KJV)

What does Luke 11:6 mean?

Luke 11:6 shows a person explaining to a friend that another friend has arrived unexpectedly during a journey, and the host has nothing to offer him to eat. The verse highlights the host’s urgent need and his reliance on his neighbor’s help to provide hospitality.

In this part of Luke, Jesus is telling a story to his disciples about persistence in prayer. The speaker in the story is asking his neighbor for bread because someone has come to visit him, and he is unprepared. This sets up the idea of asking boldly and persistently, even when the situation is inconvenient or difficult.

The Greek behind Luke 11:6

  • φίλος (philos, G5384): This word means "friend" and emphasizes a close, personal relationship. The use of this word shows the social expectation to care for friends, especially travelers.
  • ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ (en tē hodo, G3598): This phrase is often understood as "on a journey." It highlights that the visitor is traveling, which in ancient times made hospitality especially important.
  • οὐκ ἔχω (ouk echō, G3756, G2192): This means "I have nothing." The double negative in Greek stresses the host’s complete lack of resources, making his request urgent.

Why Luke 11:6 matters

  • Luke 11:6 helps clarify the cultural importance of hospitality in Jesus’ time, where not being able to provide for a guest was a serious concern.
  • The verse sets up the lesson about persistence and boldness in asking for help, which Jesus uses to teach about prayer in the following verses.
  • Understanding the social pressure and urgency in this verse makes the story’s message about God’s willingness to respond to persistent prayer more vivid.

Where else these words appear

“For” Greek G1894 · used in 11 verses

  • Matthew 21:46 But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet.
  • Acts 15:24 Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:
  • 1 Corinthians 14:16 Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?

“before” Greek G3908 · used in 18 verses

  • Matthew 13:24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:
  • Luke 9:16 Then he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and brake, and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude.
  • Acts 17:3 Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.

“friend” Greek G5384 · used in 27 verses

  • Matthew 11:19 The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.
  • Luke 15:6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.
  • John 15:14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

“come” Greek G3854 · used in 37 verses

  • Matthew 2:1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
  • John 8:2 And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them.
  • Acts 17:10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.