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href="/bsb/matthew/7.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/matthew/7.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />&#8220Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/matthew/7.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/matthew/7.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/matthew/7.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/matthew/7.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Or which man is among you who, <i>if</i> his son will ask for bread, will give him a stone?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/matthew/7.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/matthew/7.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/matthew/7.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Or what person is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf of bread, will give him a stone?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/matthew/7.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/matthew/7.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Or what man is there among you, when his son shall ask him for a loaf, will give him a stone?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/matthew/7.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/matthew/7.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will [instead] give him a stone?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/matthew/7.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Who among you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/matthew/7.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />What man among you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/matthew/7.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Or what man is there of you, who, if his son shall ask him for a loaf, will give him a stone;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/matthew/7.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Would any of you give your hungry child a stone, if the child asked for some bread? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/matthew/7.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Or what man is there of you, who, if his son shall ask him for a loaf, will give him a stone;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/matthew/7.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"If your child asks you for bread, would any of you give him a stone?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/matthew/7.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Would any of you who are fathers give your son a stone when he asks for bread? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/matthew/7.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"There isn't a person among you who would give his son a stone if he asked for bread, is there? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/matthew/7.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/matthew/7.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Is there anyone among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/matthew/7.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Or who is there among you, who, if his son will ask him for bread, will give him a stone?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/matthew/7.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Or what man is there of you, who, if his son shall ask bread, will give him a stone?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/7.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />What man is there among you, who if his son shall ask him for bread will offer him a stone?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/matthew/7.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Or who is there among you who, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/matthew/7.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Or what man is of you, of whom, if his son may ask [for] a loaf—a stone will he present to him?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/matthew/7.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Or which man is among you who, <i>if</i> his son will ask for bread, will give him a stone?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/matthew/7.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 'Or what man is of you, of whom, if his son may ask a loaf -- a stone will he present to him?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/matthew/7.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Or what man is of you, which, if his son ask bread, he will not give him a stone?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/matthew/7.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Or what man is there among you, of whom if his son shall ask bread, will he reach him a stone? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/matthew/7.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Or what man is there among you, who, if his son were to ask him for bread, would offer him a stone;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/matthew/7.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Which one of you would hand his son a stone when he asks for a loaf of bread,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/matthew/7.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for bread, will give a stone?<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/matthew/7.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Or who is the man among you, who when his son asks him for bread, why, will he hand him a stone?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/7.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />And who is the man among you whose son will ask him for bread and will hand him a stone?<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/matthew/7.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />What man is there of you, of whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/matthew/7.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>What man is there of you, whom, if his son shall ask bread, he will give him a stone?<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/matthew/7.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />What man is there of you, of whom if his son ask a loaf, will he give him a stone?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/matthew/7.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />is there any of you that would offer his son a stone when he ask'd for bread?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/7.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />What man is there among you, who if his son shall ask him for bread will offer him a stone?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/matthew/7.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>Or what man is there of you who, if his son shall ask him for bread, will give him a stone?<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/matthew/7.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>Is there any man among you, who, if his son ask <Fr><i>him</i><FR> for bread, will give him a stone?<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/matthew/7-9.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=1591" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/matthew/7.htm">Ask, Seek, Knock</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">8</span>For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. <span class="reftext">9</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/2228.htm" title="2228: Ē (Conj) -- Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than."></a> <a href="/greek/5101.htm" title="5101: tis (IPro-NMS) -- Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.">Which</a> <a href="/greek/444.htm" title="444: anthrōpos (N-NMS) -- A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being."></a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: estin (V-PIA-3S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist."></a> <a href="/greek/1537.htm" title="1537: ex (Prep) -- From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.">of</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: hymōn (PPro-G2P) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">you,</a> <a href="/greek/3739.htm" title="3739: hon (RelPro-AMS) -- Who, which, what, that. ">if his</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autou (PPro-GM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons."></a> <a href="/greek/5207.htm" title="5207: huios (N-NMS) -- A son, descendent. Apparently a primary word; a son, used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship.">son</a> <a href="/greek/154.htm" title="154: aitēsei (V-FIA-3S) -- To ask, request, petition, demand. Of uncertain derivation; to ask.">asks for</a> <a href="/greek/740.htm" title="740: arton (N-AMS) -- Bread, a loaf, food. From airo; bread or a loaf.">bread,</a> <a href="/greek/1929.htm" title="1929: epidōsei (V-FIA-3S) -- (a) trans: I hand in, give up, (b) intrans: I give way (to the wind). From epi and didomi; to give over.">will give</a> <a href="/greek/3361.htm" title="3361: mē (Adv) -- Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether."></a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autō (PPro-DM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">him</a> <a href="/greek/3037.htm" title="3037: lithon (N-AMS) -- A stone; met: of Jesus as the chief stone in a building. Apparently a primary word; a stone.">a stone?</a> </span> <span class="reftext">10</span>Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/11-11.htm">Luke 11:11-13</a></span><br />What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? / Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? / So if you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/1-17.htm">James 1:17</a></span><br />Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, with whom there is no change or shifting shadow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/103-13.htm">Psalm 103:13</a></span><br />As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/3-27.htm">Proverbs 3:27</a></span><br />Do not withhold good from the deserving when it is within your power to act.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/49-15.htm">Isaiah 49:15</a></span><br />“Can a woman forget her nursing child, or lack compassion for the son of her womb? Even if she could forget, I will not forget you!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-32.htm">Romans 8:32</a></span><br />He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also, along with Him, freely give us all things?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/12-9.htm">Hebrews 12:9-10</a></span><br />Furthermore, we have all had earthly fathers who disciplined us, and we respected them. Should we not much more submit to the Father of our spirits and live? / Our fathers disciplined us for a short time as they thought best, but God disciplines us for our good, so that we may share in His holiness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/3-1.htm">1 John 3:1</a></span><br />Behold what manner of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God. And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/84-11.htm">Psalm 84:11</a></span><br />For the LORD God is a sun and a shield; the LORD gives grace and glory; He withholds no good thing from those who walk with integrity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/28-27.htm">Proverbs 28:27</a></span><br />Whoever gives to the poor will not be in need, but he who hides his eyes will receive many curses.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/41-10.htm">Isaiah 41:10</a></span><br />Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philippians/4-19.htm">Philippians 4:19</a></span><br />And my God will supply all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/9-8.htm">2 Corinthians 9:8-10</a></span><br />And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. / As it is written: “He has scattered abroad His gifts to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.” / Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your store of seed and will increase the harvest of your righteousness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/34-10.htm">Psalm 34:10</a></span><br />Young lions go lacking and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/malachi/3-10.htm">Malachi 3:10</a></span><br />Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house. Test Me in this,” says the LORD of Hosts. “See if I will not open the windows of heaven and pour out for you blessing without measure.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/11-11.htm">Luke 11:11-13</a></b></br> If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if <i>he ask</i> a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? … </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/matthew/6-11.htm">Bread</a> <a href="/jeremiah/37-21.htm">Loaf</a> <a href="/matthew/7-8.htm">Makes</a> <a href="/matthew/5-24.htm">Offer</a> <a href="/matthew/5-24.htm">Present</a> <a href="/matthew/7-8.htm">Request</a> <a href="/matthew/4-6.htm">Stone</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/matthew/12-4.htm">Bread</a> <a href="/mark/8-14.htm">Loaf</a> <a href="/matthew/7-10.htm">Makes</a> <a href="/matthew/7-10.htm">Offer</a> <a href="/matthew/7-10.htm">Present</a> <a href="/matthew/7-10.htm">Request</a> <a href="/matthew/18-6.htm">Stone</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 7</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/7-1.htm">Do Not Judge</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/7-7.htm">Ask, Seek, Knock</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/7-13.htm">Enter through the Narrow Gate</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/7-15.htm">A Tree and Its Fruit</a></span><br><span class="reftext">24. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/7-24.htm">The Wise and the Foolish Builders</a></span><br><span class="reftext">28. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/7-28.htm">Jesus ends his sermon, and the people are astonished.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/7.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/matthew/7.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Which of you</b><br>This phrase introduces a rhetorical question, engaging the audience directly. It is a common teaching method used by Jesus to provoke thought and self-reflection among His listeners. In the context of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus is addressing a diverse crowd, including His disciples and others from various regions of Judea and beyond. This method of questioning is designed to make the audience consider their own actions and attitudes in light of the teaching.<p><b>if his son asks for bread</b><br>Bread was a staple food in ancient Israel, symbolizing basic sustenance and provision. In the cultural and historical context, a father providing bread for his child would be seen as a fundamental duty, reflecting the familial responsibility and care expected in Jewish society. This request for bread signifies a legitimate need, highlighting the natural expectation of a child for their parent to provide for their basic needs. The imagery of bread also connects to other biblical passages, such as Jesus referring to Himself as the "bread of life" (<a href="/john/6-35.htm">John 6:35</a>), emphasizing spiritual nourishment.<p><b>will give him a stone?</b><br>The contrast between bread and a stone is stark, emphasizing the absurdity of a father responding to a child's need with something useless or harmful. Stones were abundant in the region of Judea, and their mention here serves to highlight the inappropriateness of such a response. This rhetorical device underscores the reliability and goodness of God as a Father, who provides for His children. The imagery may also evoke the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness, where Satan suggests turning stones into bread (<a href="/matthew/4-3.htm">Matthew 4:3</a>), further illustrating the theme of trust in God's provision.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a></b><br>The speaker of this verse, delivering the Sermon on the Mount, a foundational teaching moment in His ministry.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/d/disciples_and_followers.htm">Disciples and Followers</a></b><br>The primary audience of the Sermon on the Mount, representing those who seek to live according to Jesus' teachings.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/s/sermon_on_the_mount.htm">Sermon on the Mount</a></b><br>A significant event in the New Testament where Jesus provides moral and spiritual guidance.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/f/father_and_son.htm">Father and Son</a></b><br>Used metaphorically to illustrate the relationship between God and His children.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/b/bread_and_stone.htm">Bread and Stone</a></b><br>Symbolic elements used to contrast good and bad gifts, emphasizing God's goodness.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_nature_as_a_provider.htm">God's Nature as a Provider</a></b><br>God is depicted as a loving Father who desires to give good gifts to His children. This reflects His character and faithfulness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_goodness.htm">Trust in God's Goodness</a></b><br>Believers are encouraged to trust in God's goodness and provision, knowing that He will not give us what is harmful.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/prayer_and_expectation.htm">Prayer and Expectation</a></b><br>When we pray, we should do so with the expectation that God hears and responds with what is best for us.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/discernment_in_asking.htm">Discernment in Asking</a></b><br>We should seek to align our requests with God's will, understanding that He knows what is truly beneficial for us.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/reflecting_god's_generosity.htm">Reflecting God's Generosity</a></b><br>As followers of Christ, we are called to reflect God's generosity in our interactions with others, providing for their needs as we are able.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_matthew_7.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Matthew 7</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/did_jesus_claim_to_be_god.htm">Didn't Jesus never actually claim to be God?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_are_spiritual_sacrifices.htm">What are the key events in Jesus' life timeline?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_is_jesus_christ.htm">Who is Jesus Christ?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'ask,_seek,_knock'_mean.htm">What did Jesus mean by "Ask, Seek, Knock"?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/matthew/7.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(9) <span class= "bld">Or what man is there of you.</span>--The meaning of the illustrations is obvious enough, yet their homeliness is noticeable as addressed to the peasants of Galilee, who found in fish and bread, as in the miracles of the Five thousand and the Four thousand, the staple of their daily food.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/7.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 9, 10.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Or what man is there of you</span>, etc.? <span class="accented">Or.</span> Is not what I say true? or - if you think not - what man of you yourselves would act otherwise towards his own son? Our Lord appeals to the experience and natural feelings of his hearers themselves to emphasize the readiness of the Father - "your Father," whose nature you share, and from whom you derive your feelings of fatherhood (<a href="/ephesians/3-15.htm">Ephesians 3:15</a>) - to grant the prayers of his children. Observe: <p><span class="note_emph">(1)</span> Our Lord assumes that our natural feelings are of the same <span class="accented">kind</span> as God's. <p><span class="note_emph">(2)</span> Our Lord speaks of God's <span class="accented">children</span> asking him for gifts (cf. <a href="/matthew/5-16.htm">Matthew 5:16</a>, note). <p><span class="note_emph">(3)</span> Our Lord does not suggest, "Will he absolutely refuse him?" but "Will he give him something which is an answer in appearance only (a stone for bread, a serpent for a fish)?" <span class="accented">i.e.</span> our Lord implies that God's gifts, like an earthly father's to his son, are such as really and completely to satisfy the need which is expressing itself. A blessed encouragement, for he will thus answer the underlying desire, though not necessarily the verbal expression of the prayer. So when Monica prayed that her son might not sail to Rome, God did not grant this, but gave her "the <span class="accented">hinge</span> of her desire," for it was <span class="accented">Augustine's</span> journey to Italy that was the means of his conversion (Aug., 'Conf.,' 5:15). <span class="cmt_word">Bread... fish.</span> The most usual food on the Lake of Galilee (cf. <a href="/matthew/14-17.htm">Matthew 14:17</a>; <a href="/john/6-9.htm">John 6:9</a>; cf. <a href="/matthew/4-3.htm">Matthew 4:3</a>, note). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/matthew/7-9.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">Which</span><br /><span class="grk">τίς</span> <span class="translit">(tis)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5101.htm">Strong's 5101: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐξ</span> <span class="translit">(ex)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1537.htm">Strong's 1537: </a> </span><span class="str2">From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you,</span><br /><span class="grk">ὑμῶν</span> <span class="translit">(hymōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> </span><span class="str2">You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">if his</span><br /><span class="grk">ὃν</span> <span class="translit">(hon)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Relative Pronoun - Accusative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3739.htm">Strong's 3739: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, that. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">son</span><br /><span class="grk">υἱὸς</span> <span class="translit">(huios)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5207.htm">Strong's 5207: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son, descendent. Apparently a primary word; a 'son', used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">asks for</span><br /><span class="grk">αἰτήσει</span> <span class="translit">(aitēsei)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_154.htm">Strong's 154: </a> </span><span class="str2">To ask, request, petition, demand. Of uncertain derivation; to ask.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">bread,</span><br /><span class="grk">ἄρτον</span> <span class="translit">(arton)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_740.htm">Strong's 740: </a> </span><span class="str2">Bread, a loaf, food. From airo; bread or a loaf.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">will give</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐπιδώσει</span> <span class="translit">(epidōsei)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1929.htm">Strong's 1929: </a> </span><span class="str2">(a) trans: I hand in, give up, (b) intrans: I give way (to the wind). From epi and didomi; to give over.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">him</span><br /><span class="grk">αὐτῷ</span> <span class="translit">(autō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a stone?</span><br /><span class="grk">λίθον</span> <span class="translit">(lithon)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3037.htm">Strong's 3037: </a> </span><span class="str2">A stone; met: of Jesus as the chief stone in a building. Apparently a primary word; a stone.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/7-9.htm">Matthew 7:9 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/matthew/7-9.htm">Matthew 7:9 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/matthew/7-9.htm">Matthew 7:9 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/matthew/7-9.htm">Matthew 7:9 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/matthew/7-9.htm">Matthew 7:9 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/7-9.htm">Matthew 7:9 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/7-9.htm">Matthew 7:9 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/7-9.htm">Matthew 7:9 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/7-9.htm">Matthew 7:9 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/matthew/7-9.htm">Matthew 7:9 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/matthew/7-9.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 7:9 Or who is there among you who (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/7-8.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 7:8"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 7:8" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/7-10.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 7:10"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 7:10" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>