What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent;
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is highlighting that even flawed human fathers instinctively know to give what sustains, not what harms, when their children ask for nourishment. This simple, almost absurd, contrast underscores the Father's perfect, unwavering goodness towards us, implying He would never offer something detrimental when we ask for what we truly need.
What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent;
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is teaching his disciples how to pray, emphasizing persistence and trust in God's willingness to give. Following a parable about a persistent friend, Jesus now uses a comparison to earthly fathers to illustrate God's greater generosity. He asks if any father would give their child something harmful when they ask for good food, setting up the conclusion that God is far more likely to give good gifts.
Jesus uses everyday family moments to reveal the heart of God. But have you ever stopped to consider just how good earthly parents are meant to be?
Jesus poses a rhetorical question: which loving father would give his child something harmful when asked for food? He contrasts this with the idea that earthly parents, even with their flaws, naturally want to give good things to their children.
This isn't just about basic needs; it's about a father's inherent desire to provide and protect. Even when we might stumble or misunderstand, the core impulse of a good parent is to nurture. Jesus uses this familiar human experience to highlight an even greater truth about our Heavenly Father.
A stone might look like bread, and some serpents resemble fish. But is surface similarity enough when true nourishment is needed?
Jesus highlights the difference between appearance and reality. A stone, though visually similar to a loaf of bread, offers no sustenance and can even be harmful. Likewise, a serpent, while perhaps resembling a fish, is dangerous and poisonous, not life-giving.
This points to the heart of genuine provision. God doesn't just offer us substitutes or dangerous deceptions. When we ask Him for what we need, He gives us the real thing – what truly nourishes, protects, and sustains us spiritually and physically.
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patēr · Greek Noun
A male parent; in Scripture, it often conveys authority, provision, protection, and the initiating source of a family lineage or spiritual relationship. God is revealed as the ultimate Father, characterized by perfect love, care, and wisdom.
ophis · Greek Noun
A creature often associated with the fall of man, deception, evil, and the demonic realm. In biblical symbolism, it represents an enemy of God and humanity.
This passage presents the same analogy, directly asking if a father would give a stone instead of bread when his child asks, reinforcing the idea of God's benevolent generosity.
Luke 11:13This verse immediately follows, concluding the analogy by contrasting human imperfection with God's perfect goodness, assuring that the heavenly Father is even more willing to give good gifts, specifically the Holy Spirit, than earthly parents are to give good things.
Romans 8:32This verse highlights God's ultimate generosity in not withholding His own Son, which serves as the greatest proof of His willingness to give all other good things to those who are His.
1 John 4:10This passage echoes the theme of God's love as the source of all provision, stating that His love is demonstrated by sending His Son as a propitiation for our sins, underscoring the fatherly nature of His provision.
vincentLuke 11:11: "If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?"
Of any of you (τίνα)The A. V. renders as though the pronoun were indefinite; but it is interrogative and commences the sentence. Rev., therefore, rightly, of which of you that is a father, etc.
calvinLuke 11:5-13: "And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves;"
- Ask, and it shall be given you: seek, and ye shall find: knock, and it shall be opened to you. 8. For every one that asketh receiveth, and he that seeketh findeth, and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. 9. Is there any man among you, who, if his son shall ask bread, will give him a ston? 10. Or if he shall ask a fish, does he offer…
Jesus is highlighting that even flawed human fathers instinctively know to give what sustains, not what harms, when their children ask for nourishment. This simple, almost absurd, contrast underscores the Father's perfect, unwavering goodness towards us, implying He would never offer something detrimental when we ask for what we truly need.
Jesus is teaching his disciples how to pray, emphasizing persistence and trust in God's willingness to give. Following a parable about a persistent friend, Jesus now uses a comparison to earthly fathers to illustrate God's greater generosity. He asks if any father would give their child something harmful when they ask for good food, setting up the conclusion that God is far more likely to give good gifts.
Jesus is teaching his disciples how to pray, emphasizing persistence and trust in God's willingness to give. Following a parable about a persistent friend, Jesus now uses a comparison to earthly fathers to illustrate God's greater generosity. He asks if any father would give their child something harmful when they ask for good food, setting up the conclusion that God is far more likely to give good gifts.
"What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent;" — Jesus is highlighting that even flawed human fathers instinctively know to give what sustains, not what harms, when their children ask for nourishment. This simple, almost absurd, contrast underscore…
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Last reviewed October 2026