Matthew 7:9-11
Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Jesus is using a common, relatable example of a father's instinct to provide for his child, but he’s highlighting something subtle: the likeness of a stone to bread. It’s not just about giving a bad gift, but about offering something that looks like the answer but is ultimately useless or even harmful, much like God’s true gifts satisfy the deepest needs beneath our spoken requests.
Jesus is building on his teaching about prayer, urging his listeners to ask, seek, and knock with persistent faith. He uses everyday examples from a father-son relationship to illustrate God's loving generosity. He's contrasting human fathers, who are imperfect but naturally inclined to provide for their children, with our heavenly Father, whose goodness and willingness to give are perfect and absolute.
Jesus uses a powerful analogy to show us something profound about God's heart. Have you ever considered how earthly parents naturally respond to their children?
Jesus appeals to the most basic human experience: parenthood. He asks, 'Which of you, if your son asks for bread, would give him a stone?' The answer is obvious: NO father would intentionally give his child something useless or harmful when asked for nourishment. This isn't about perfect parenting, but about the instinctive love and desire to provide that flows from a father to his child. This natural affection, though imperfect, is a faint echo of God's perfect fatherly love for us.
It's not just about what we receive, but what it truly is. Why does Jesus make such a stark contrast between bread and stone?
The contrast between bread and a stone isn't just about giving something useless. Stones can sometimes look like bread, especially to a hungry child. A deceptive parent might offer a stone, appearing to give sustenance but providing only disappointment and danger. Jesus is saying God's provision is never like that. When we ask God for something, He doesn't give us a spiritual stone—something that looks like an answer but is ultimately hollow or harmful. He gives genuine, life-sustaining, soul-satisfying 'bread.' His answers, even when unexpected, are always true provision that meets our deepest needs.
Understand the original words
artos · Greek Noun
The essential, daily sustenance provided by God for human life. It is often symbolic of the spiritual nourishment and life-giving power of Christ and the Word of God.
lithos · Greek Noun
Often used symbolically to represent something deceptive, dangerous, or evil. While it appears useful, it is fundamentally harmful, representing a betrayal of trust or a spiritual trap.
ophis · Greek Noun
A creature associated with temptation, deceit, and the demonic presence from the fall in Genesis. It signifies danger, deception, and the antithesis of the good gifts provided by the Father.
ponēroi · Greek Adjective
A term describing the fallen, depraved condition of humanity since the Fall. It signifies a fundamental moral corruption and alienation from the holiness of God.
This passage directly parallels Jesus' teaching, using the same analogy of an earthly father giving good gifts to his children, reinforcing the idea of God's generosity towards those who ask.
Romans 8:32This verse speaks about God's willingness to give us 'all things' when He gave His Son, highlighting the boundless nature of God's provision and love, much like a father providing what's truly needed.
1 John 5:14This passage assures believers that if we ask anything according to God's will, He hears us, directly connecting our prayers to His good and perfect gifts, just as a father responds to a child's request.
James 1:17This verse emphasizes that every good gift and every perfect gift comes down from God, framing His provision as supremely good and perfect, aligning with the concept of a father giving only good things to his children.
vincentMatthew 7:9: "Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?"
Bread, a stone (ἄρτον, λίθον)Rev. for bread reads loaf, which is better. On the resemblance of certain stones to cakes of bread, see on Matthew 4:3.
clarkeMatthew 7:9: "Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?"
Or what man is there - whom if his son - Men are exhorted to come unto God, with the persuasion that he is a most gracious and compassionate Parent, who possesses all heavenly and earthly good, knows what is necessary for each of his creatures, and is infinitely ready to communicate that which they need most. Will he give him a stone? - Will he not readily give him bread if he have it? This was a pr…
Jesus is using a common, relatable example of a father's instinct to provide for his child, but he’s highlighting something subtle: the likeness of a stone to bread. It’s not just about giving a bad gift, but about offering something that looks like the answer but is ultimately useless or even harmful, much like God’s true gifts satisfy the deepest needs beneath our spoken requests.
Jesus is building on his teaching about prayer, urging his listeners to ask, seek, and knock with persistent faith. He uses everyday examples from a father-son relationship to illustrate God's loving generosity. He's contrasting human fathers, who are imperfect but naturally inclined to provide for their children, with our heavenly Father, whose goodness and willingness to give are perfect and absolute.
Jesus is building on his teaching about prayer, urging his listeners to ask, seek, and knock with persistent faith. He uses everyday examples from a father-son relationship to illustrate God's loving generosity. He's contrasting human fathers, who are imperfect but naturally inclined to provide for their children, with our heavenly Father, whose goodness and willingness to give are perfect and absolute.
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patēr · Greek Noun
The divine Creator and Redeemer who sustains and governs the universe. In Scripture, God is revealed as a personal, loving Father who initiates relationship and provides for His children.
"Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in…" — Jesus is using a common, relatable example of a father's instinct to provide for his child, but he’s highlighting something subtle: the likeness of a stone to bread. It’s not just about giving a ba…
