Luke 11:5-8

This parable is peculiar to Luke. Holtzmann says: “Taken from Λ.” But why in that case has Matthew omitted it, he who reproduces from Λ both the preceding and following verses (Luke 7:7-11)?

The form of expression is broken after Luke 11:7. It is as if the importuned friend were reflecting what he should do. His friendship hesitates. But a circumstance decides him: the perseverance, carried even to shamelessness (ἀναιδεία), of his friend who does not desist from crying and knocking. The construction of Luke 11:7 does not harmonize with that with which the parable had opened (Luke 11:5). There were two ways of expressing the thought: either to say, “ Which of you shall have a friend, and shall say to him...and [if] the latter shall answer...[will not persist until]...;” or to say, “ If one of you hath a friend, and sayeth to him...and he answer him...[nevertheless] I say unto you...” Jesus begins with the first form, which takes each hearer more directly aside, and continues (Luke 11:7) with the second, which better suits so lengthened a statement. The reading εἴπῃ may be explained by the εἴπῃ which follows Luke 11:7, as the reading ἐρεῖ by the Futures which precede. The first has more authorities in its favour. The figure of the three loaves should not be interpreted allegorically; the meaning of it should follow from the picture taken as a whole. One of the loaves is for the traveller; the second for the host, who must seat himself at table with him; the third will be their reserve. The idea of full sufficiency (ὅσων χρῄζει) is the real application to be made of this detail.