Luke 11:11

KJV

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?

KJV (with Strong's)

If {G1161} a son {G5207} shall ask {G154} bread {G740} of any of you {G5216} that is a father {G3962}{G5101}, will he give {G1929}{G3361} him {G846} a stone {G3037}? or {G1499} if he ask a fish {G2486}, will he {G1929} for {G473} a fish {G2486} give {G1929}{G3361} him {G846} a serpent {G3789}?

Complete Jewish Bible

“Is there any father here who, if his son asked him for a fish, would instead of a fish give him a snake?

Berean Standard Bible

What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead?

American Standard Version

And of which of you that is a father shall his son ask a loaf, and he give him a stone? or a fish, and he for a fish give him a serpent?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 11:11, embedded within Jesus's profound teaching on prayer, employs a powerful rhetorical question to illuminate the benevolent and trustworthy nature of God. By contrasting the loving provision of an earthly father with the absurdity of him offering harmful substitutes for essential needs like bread or fish, Jesus assures His disciples that their Heavenly Father is infinitely more willing and able to bestow good gifts, culminating in the ultimate gift of the Holy Spirit, upon those who sincerely ask Him.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of Jesus's extended discourse on prayer in [Luke 11](/luke/11 "Luke 11 - Jesus Teaches on Prayer"). It immediately follows the model prayer (often called the Lord's Prayer) that Jesus taught His disciples in [Luke 11:2-4](/luke/11-2-4 "Luke 11:2-4 - The Lord's Prayer") and the parable of the persistent friend in [Luke 11:5-8](/luke/11-5-8 "Luke 11:5-8 - The Parable of the Persistent Friend"), which emphasizes the importance of importunity in prayer. Verses [Luke 11:9-10](/luke/11-9-10 "Luke 11:9-10 - Ask, Seek, Knock") then provide a direct promise of reception for those who "ask, seek, and knock." Luke 11:11-13 serves as a logical culmination, reinforcing the certainty of God's good response by appealing to the common human experience of parental love and provision, ultimately identifying the supreme "good gift" as the Holy Spirit.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Galilee, bread and fish were fundamental staples of the diet for common people. Bread was the most basic sustenance, and fish, especially from the Sea of Galilee, was a primary source of protein. A "stone" was completely inedible and useless as food, while a "serpent" (snake) was dangerous and unclean according to Jewish law ([Leviticus 11:41-42](/leviticus/11-41-42 "Leviticus 11:41-42 - Unclean Creeping Things")). The relationship between a father and son was foundational in Jewish society, with the father traditionally seen as the provider and protector. Jesus's analogy draws on this universally understood bond and the natural human instinct of a parent to care for their child, making the rhetorical questions powerfully relatable and impactful to His audience.
* **Key Themes:** Luke 11:11 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Luke's Gospel and biblical theology. Foremost is the theme of **God's Benevolence and Paternal Love**, portraying God not as a distant or reluctant deity, but as a loving Father who delights in giving good gifts to His children. This passage also underscores the theme of **Trust in Divine Provision**, encouraging believers to approach God with confidence and assurance, knowing that He will never withhold good things or offer harm. Finally, it profoundly shapes the understanding of the **Nature of Prayer**, presenting it not as a means to coerce a hesitant God, but as a confident appeal to a willing and generous Father who desires to bless His children, culminating in the promise of the [Holy Spirit](/luke/11-13 "Luke 11:13 - The Promise of the Holy Spirit") as the ultimate good gift.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **ask (Greek, _aitéō'_):** This word denotes a general request or petition, often with an implication of need or desire. It signifies the act of seeking something from another, underscoring the child's dependence on the father's provision. In the context of prayer, it highlights the posture of humility and reliance on God.
* **father (Greek, _patḗr'_):** This term refers to a male parent, but here it carries the profound implication of a nurturing, providing, and loving figure. Jesus uses this common human relationship to draw a parallel to God's own character, emphasizing His inherent goodness and desire to care for His children.
* **serpent (Greek, _óphis'_):** This word literally means "snake." Figuratively, it often represents sly cunning, danger, or evil, particularly in biblical contexts where it is associated with Satan (e.g., [Genesis 3:1](/genesis/3-1 "Genesis 3:1 - The Serpent's Deception") and [Revelation 12:9](/revelation/12-9 "Revelation 12:9 - Satan, the Ancient Serpent")). Its inclusion here creates a stark, repulsive contrast to a beneficial gift, intensifying the rhetorical force of Jesus's question.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone?"**: This clause sets up the first rhetorical question, appealing directly to the common experience and moral intuition of the audience. It posits a son requesting the most basic and essential food—bread—from his father. The implied answer is a resounding "No," as no loving father would offer a worthless, inedible, and potentially harmful stone in place of life-sustaining bread. This highlights the absurdity of such an action from a human perspective.
* **"or if [he ask] a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?"**: The second clause reinforces the first with another vivid contrast. A son asks for fish, a common and nutritious food. The idea of a father giving a dangerous, repulsive, and ritually unclean serpent instead of a fish further emphasizes the unthinkableness of such an act. This question, like the first, elicits an immediate negative response, solidifying the premise that human fathers, despite their imperfections, provide good things.

#### Literary Devices
Jesus employs several powerful **literary devices** in this verse to convey His message. The primary device is **Rhetorical Question**, where questions are posed not to elicit information but to make a point more forcefully, assuming an obvious answer. By asking, "will he give him a stone?" or "will he... give him a serpent?", Jesus compels His listeners to acknowledge the absurdity of such actions from a human father, thereby strengthening the argument for God's even greater goodness. **Contrast** is also prominently featured, juxtaposing essential, life-sustaining food (bread, fish) with worthless or harmful substitutes (stone, serpent). This stark opposition vividly illustrates the benevolent nature of a father's provision. Furthermore, the use of **Analogy** is central, drawing a parallel between the love and provision of an earthly father and the infinitely superior love and provision of the Heavenly Father. This analogy serves to reassure believers of God's unwavering faithfulness and generosity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 11:11 is a cornerstone in understanding the character of God as a loving, benevolent Father who is eager to bless His children. It refutes any notion that God might be reluctant, stingy, or malicious in His giving. Instead, it paints a picture of divine generosity that far surpasses human capacity for goodness. This passage encourages believers to approach God in prayer with absolute confidence, knowing that He desires to provide what is truly good and beneficial, perfectly discerning our needs and always acting out of perfect love. This assurance transforms prayer from a burdensome duty into a joyful communion with a loving parent.

* [Matthew 7:9-11](/matthew/7-9-11 "Matthew 7:9-11 - God's Good Gifts")
* [Psalm 84:11](/psalms/84-11 "Psalm 84:11 - God Gives Grace and Glory")
* [James 1:17](/james/1-17 "James 1:17 - Every Good and Perfect Gift")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 11:11 offers profound comfort and a robust foundation for our prayer lives. It dismantles any lingering doubts about God's willingness to hear and respond to our petitions. We are invited to approach our Heavenly Father not with trepidation, but with the joyful confidence of a beloved child approaching a doting parent. This verse reminds us that God's nature is fundamentally good, and His intentions towards us are always for our ultimate well-being. Therefore, when we pray, we can trust that even if the answer isn't precisely what we asked for, it will always be something truly good, something that aligns with His perfect wisdom and unfailing love, culminating in the promise of the Holy Spirit as the ultimate guide and empowerer in our lives. This assurance should free us from anxiety in prayer and deepen our relationship with Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this verse challenge or affirm your current understanding of God's character?**
* **In what areas of your life do you find it difficult to trust God's provision, and how might this verse encourage you?**
* **How does the promise of the Holy Spirit (Luke 11:13) as the "good gift" shape your understanding of what to ask for in prayer?**

### FAQ

**Does this verse mean God will always give me exactly what I ask for?**

Answer: No, this verse does not guarantee that God will give you *exactly* what you ask for in the way you expect. Instead, it assures you that God, as a perfect Father, will *never* give you something harmful or worthless in place of what is truly good for you. Just as an earthly father knows what is best for his child, even if it's not what the child initially desires, God's wisdom and love are infinitely greater. The ultimate "good gift" promised in this context, as revealed in [Luke 11:13](/luke/11-13 "Luke 11:13 - The Promise of the Holy Spirit"), is the Holy Spirit, who guides us into all truth and empowers us according to God's perfect will. Therefore, you can trust that whatever God provides in response to your prayers will always be for your ultimate good and His glory, even if it differs from your initial request.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 11:11, while speaking of God the Father's benevolent nature, finds its ultimate fulfillment and clearest demonstration in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself is the perfect Son who reveals the Father's heart ([John 1:18](/john/1-18 "John 1:18 - The Son Reveals the Father")). He is the "bread of life" ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")) given by the Father to nourish humanity, contrasting sharply with any "stone" of spiritual emptiness. Furthermore, Jesus is the one who provides the "living water" ([John 4:10](/john/4-10 "John 4:10 - Living Water")) and the "fish" of spiritual sustenance, inviting His disciples to become "fishers of men" ([Matthew 4:19](/matthew/4-19 "Matthew 4:19 - Fishers of Men")), offering life where the "serpent" of sin and death once reigned ([Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin")). Through His atoning sacrifice, Jesus removes the sting of the serpent's bite (referencing [Genesis 3:15](/genesis/3-15 "Genesis 3:15 - The Seed of the Woman")) and makes it possible for believers to receive the promised "good gift" of the Holy Spirit ([John 14:16-17](/john/14-16-17 "John 14:16-17 - The Promise of the Helper")), thereby fully experiencing the Father's perfect and unfailing provision.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 7:9

Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?

Isaiah 49:15

Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.