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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Matthew 7:10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/matthew/7-10.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/19/40_Mat_07_10.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Matthew 7:10 - Ask, Seek, Knock" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/matthew/7-10.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/matthew/7-10.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/matthew/">Matthew</a> > <a href="/matthew/7.htm">Chapter 7</a> > Verse 10</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad10.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/matthew/7-9.htm" title="Matthew 7:9">◄</a> Matthew 7:10 <a href="/matthew/7-11.htm" title="Matthew 7:11">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a 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 />Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/matthew/7.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/matthew/7.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/matthew/7.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/matthew/7.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Or also, <i>if</i> he will ask for a fish, will give him a serpent?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/matthew/7.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/matthew/7.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/matthew/7.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/matthew/7.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/matthew/7.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Or if he shall ask for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/matthew/7.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/matthew/7.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Or if he asks for a fish, will [instead] give him a snake?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/matthew/7.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/matthew/7.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/matthew/7.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />or if he shall ask for a fish, will give him a serpent?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/matthew/7.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Would you give your child a snake if the child asked for a fish? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/matthew/7.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />or if he shall ask for a fish, will give him a serpent?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/matthew/7.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Or if your child asks for a fish, would you give him a snake?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/matthew/7.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Or would you give him a snake when he asks for a fish? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/matthew/7.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Or if he asks for a fish, he wouldn't give him a snake, would he? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/matthew/7.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />And if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/matthew/7.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/matthew/7.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Or if he will ask for a fish, who will give him a serpent?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/matthew/7.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Or if he shall ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/7.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />Or if the son shall ask him for a fish will offer him a snake?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/matthew/7.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Or if he asks for a fish, who will give him a serpent? <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/matthew/7.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And if he may ask [for] a fish—a serpent 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 also, <i>if</i> he will ask for a fish, will give him a serpent?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/matthew/7.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and if a fish he may ask -- a serpent 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 />And if he ask a fish, he will not give him a serpent?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/matthew/7.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Or if he shall ask him a fish, will he reach him a serpent? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/matthew/7.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />or if he were to ask him for a fish, would offer him a snake?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/matthew/7.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />or a snake when he asks for a fish?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/matthew/7.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Or if the child asks for a fish, will give a snake?<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/matthew/7.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Or if he should ask him for fish, why, will he hand him a snake?<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 if he will ask him for a fish, will he hand him a snake?<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/matthew/7.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />And if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/matthew/7.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>And if he may ask a fish, whether will he give him a serpent?<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/matthew/7.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/matthew/7.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />or instead of a fish, would he give him a serpent?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/7.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />Or if the son shall ask him for a fish will offer him a snake?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/matthew/7.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>Or if he shall ask for a fish, will give him a serpent?<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/matthew/7.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>or if he ask for a fish, will he give him a serpent?<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/matthew/7-10.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=1596" 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">9</span>Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? <span class="reftext">10</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.">Or</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">if</a> <a href="/greek/154.htm" title="154: aitēsei (V-FIA-3S) -- To ask, request, petition, demand. Of uncertain derivation; to ask.">he asks for</a> <a href="/greek/2486.htm" title="2486: ichthyn (N-AMS) -- A fish. Of uncertain affinity; a fish.">a fish,</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/3789.htm" title="3789: ophin (N-AMS) -- Probably from optanomai; a snake, figuratively, an artful malicious person, especially Satan.">a snake?</a> </span> <span class="reftext">11</span>So if you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!…<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="/matthew/6-8.htm">Matthew 6:8</a></span><br />Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask 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="/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="/proverbs/28-5.htm">Proverbs 28:5</a></span><br />Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD comprehend fully.<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="/1_john/3-22.htm">1 John 3:22</a></span><br />and we will receive from Him whatever we ask, because we keep His commandments and do what is pleasing in His sight.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/16-23.htm">John 16:23-24</a></span><br />In that day you will no longer ask Me anything. Truly, truly, I tell you, whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you. / Until now you have not asked for anything in My name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.<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="/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="/1_peter/5-7.htm">1 Peter 5:7</a></span><br />Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/65-24.htm">Isaiah 65:24</a></span><br />Even before they call, I will answer, and while they are still speaking, I will hear.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/3-9.htm">1 Kings 3:9-13</a></span><br />Therefore give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people and to discern between good and evil. For who is able to govern this great people of Yours?” / Now it pleased the Lord that Solomon had made this request. / So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this instead of requesting long life or wealth for yourself or death for your enemies—but you have asked for discernment to administer justice— ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/29-11.htm">Jeremiah 29:11-13</a></span><br />For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope. / Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. / You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/zephaniah/1-10.htm">Fish</a> <a href="/matthew/7-9.htm">Makes</a> <a href="/matthew/7-9.htm">Offer</a> <a href="/matthew/7-9.htm">Present</a> <a href="/matthew/7-9.htm">Request</a> <a href="/micah/7-17.htm">Serpent</a> <a href="/micah/7-17.htm">Snake</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/matthew/12-40.htm">Fish</a> <a href="/matthew/12-26.htm">Makes</a> <a href="/matthew/8-4.htm">Offer</a> <a href="/matthew/8-4.htm">Present</a> <a href="/matthew/8-5.htm">Request</a> <a href="/luke/11-11.htm">Serpent</a> <a href="/luke/11-11.htm">Snake</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>Or if he asks for a fish,</b><br>In the context of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus uses the example of a child asking a parent for a fish to illustrate the nature of God's goodness and provision. Fish were a staple in the diet of people living in Galilee, where Jesus conducted much of His ministry. The Sea of Galilee was abundant with fish, making this a relatable example for His audience. The request for a fish symbolizes a basic need, highlighting the trust a child places in a parent to provide what is necessary for sustenance.<p><b>will give him a snake?</b><br>The contrast between a fish and a snake underscores the absurdity of a loving parent giving something harmful instead of something beneficial. In Jewish culture, snakes were often associated with danger and deceit, as seen in <a href="/genesis/3.htm">Genesis 3</a> with the serpent in the Garden of Eden. This imagery reinforces the idea that God, as a loving Father, would not give something harmful when His children ask for something good. The rhetorical question emphasizes God's reliability and the assurance that He will provide for His children's needs, aligning with the broader biblical theme of God's faithfulness and care, as seen in passages like <a href="/psalms/84-11.htm">Psalm 84:11</a> and <a href="/james/1-17.htm">James 1:17</a>.<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 all believers seeking to understand and live out 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 ethical teachings, including the Lord's Prayer and the Beatitudes.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_god's_nature.htm">Understanding God's Nature</a></b><br>God is inherently good and desires to give good gifts to His children. This verse challenges us to trust in His goodness and provision.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/contrast_with_earthly_fathers.htm">Contrast with Earthly Fathers</a></b><br>Earthly fathers, despite their imperfections, know how to give good gifts. How much more, then, will our perfect heavenly Father provide for us?<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_in_prayer.htm">Faith in Prayer</a></b><br>This verse encourages believers to approach God with confidence in prayer, knowing that He will not give us something harmful when we ask for what is good.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/discernment_in_requests.htm">Discernment in Requests</a></b><br>While God gives good gifts, we must also seek His wisdom to discern what is truly beneficial for us, aligning our desires with His will.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/reflecting_god's_generosity.htm">Reflecting God's Generosity</a></b><br>As recipients of God's generosity, we are called to reflect His character by being generous and kind to 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/what_is_authority_over_satan.htm">What does having authority over Satan entail?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_were_thousands_fed_with_7_loaves.htm">How could thousands be fed with only seven loaves and a few fish, and what evidence supports this event (Matthew 15:34-38)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_matthew_mention_their_mother.htm">Matthew 20:20-21 - Why does Matthew mention the mother of James and John making this request, while Mark 10:35-37 portrays the brothers themselves asking?</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><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/matthew/7-10.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">Or</span><br /><span class="grk">ἢ</span> <span class="translit">(ē)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2228.htm">Strong's 2228: </a> </span><span class="str2">Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[if]</span><br /><span class="grk">καὶ</span> <span class="translit">(kai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> </span><span class="str2">And, even, also, namely. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">he 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">a fish,</span><br /><span class="grk">ἰχθὺν</span> <span class="translit">(ichthyn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2486.htm">Strong's 2486: </a> </span><span class="str2">A fish. Of uncertain affinity; a fish.</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 snake?</span><br /><span class="grk">ὄφιν</span> <span class="translit">(ophin)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3789.htm">Strong's 3789: </a> </span><span class="str2">Probably from optanomai; a snake, figuratively, an artful malicious person, especially Satan.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/7-10.htm">Matthew 7:10 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/matthew/7-10.htm">Matthew 7:10 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/matthew/7-10.htm">Matthew 7:10 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/matthew/7-10.htm">Matthew 7:10 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/matthew/7-10.htm">Matthew 7:10 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/7-10.htm">Matthew 7:10 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/7-10.htm">Matthew 7:10 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/7-10.htm">Matthew 7:10 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/7-10.htm">Matthew 7:10 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/matthew/7-10.htm">Matthew 7:10 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/matthew/7-10.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 7:10 Or if he asks for a fish (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/7-9.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 7:9"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 7:9" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/7-11.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 7:11"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 7:11" /></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>