Matthew 7:10

KJV

Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?

KJV (with Strong's)

Or {G2532} if {G1437} he ask {G154} a fish {G2486}, will he give {G3361}{G1929} him {G846} a serpent {G3789}?

Complete Jewish Bible

or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?

Berean Standard Bible

Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?

American Standard Version

or if he shall ask for a fish, will give him a serpent?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 7:10, a rhetorical question posed by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, powerfully illustrates God's perfect fatherly goodness and unwavering commitment to providing for His children. Through the absurd scenario of an earthly father giving a harmful serpent instead of a requested fish, Jesus highlights the infinitely superior benevolence of the Heavenly Father, assuring His disciples that God will always give good gifts to those who ask.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of Jesus' teaching on prayer and divine provision found in [Matthew 7:7-11](/matthew/7-7-11 "Matthew 7:7-11 - Asking, Seeking, Knocking, and God's Goodness"). Following the exhortation to "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you" ([Matthew 7:7](/matthew/7-7 "Matthew 7:7 - The Promise of Prayer")), Jesus provides two vivid analogies to underscore the certainty of God's benevolent response. First, He asks if a father would give a stone instead of bread ([Matthew 7:9](/matthew/7-9 "Matthew 7:9 - A Father's Good Gifts")), and then, in this verse, if a father would give a serpent instead of a fish. These rhetorical questions build to the climactic statement in [Matthew 7:11](/matthew/7-11 "Matthew 7:11 - The Heavenly Father Gives Good Things"), affirming that if imperfect human fathers know how to give good gifts, "how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?" The immediate literary context thus emphasizes God's character as a loving, giving Father and provides a foundation for confident prayer.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In first-century Galilee, fish was a staple of the diet, particularly in the region around the Sea of Galilee, where fishing was a primary industry. It was a common, nutritious, and desirable food source. Conversely, serpents (snakes) were widely recognized as dangerous, venomous creatures, often associated with evil and deception in Jewish thought, harkening back to the serpent in [Genesis 3](/genesis/3 "Genesis 3 - The Fall of Humanity"). The contrast between a life-sustaining fish and a life-threatening serpent would have been immediately understood and viscerally impactful to Jesus' audience. The imagery draws on the universal human experience of parental love and the natural instinct of a father to protect and provide for his child, making the idea of giving something harmful instead of beneficial utterly unthinkable within their cultural framework.

* **Key Themes:** Matthew 7:10 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the Sermon on the Mount and the broader Gospel of Matthew. It reinforces the theme of **God's Fatherly Goodness and Benevolence**, portraying God not as a distant or capricious deity, but as a loving parent who cares deeply for His children and delights in providing for them. This directly counters any notion that God might withhold good or give harm. Secondly, it strengthens the theme of **Confidence in Prayer**, assuring believers that their prayers are heard and answered by a God who desires their well-being. This teaching builds upon the earlier emphasis on seeking God's kingdom and righteousness ([Matthew 6:33](/matthew/6-33 "Matthew 6:33 - Seeking First the Kingdom of God")) and encourages persistent, trusting supplication. Finally, the stark contrast between the fish and the serpent subtly highlights the theme of **Discernment and True Provision**, implying that God's gifts are always truly good and beneficial, even if they differ from human expectations, in contrast to the deceptive or harmful offerings of the world.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **ask (Greek, _aitéō'_):** This verb signifies a general request or petition, often implying a need or desire. In the context of prayer, it denotes a direct appeal to a higher authority or a person from whom one expects a favor or gift. Here, it emphasizes the child's simple, direct request for a basic necessity from their father.
* **fish (Greek, _ichthýs'_):** Referring to any fish, this word denotes a common and essential food source in the ancient world, particularly in Galilee. Its inclusion here represents a wholesome, beneficial, and expected provision, contrasting sharply with the harmful alternative.
* **serpent (Greek, _óphis'_):** This term specifically refers to a snake or serpent. Figuratively, it often carries connotations of sly cunning, danger, and malice, notably associated with Satan in biblical narratives. In this verse, it represents something inherently dangerous, deceptive, and antithetical to a good gift.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Or if he ask a fish,"**: This clause sets up the second scenario in Jesus' two-part analogy concerning a father's provision for his child. It posits a common, reasonable request from a child for a nutritious and desirable food item, a "fish." The "Or if" (Greek: `kai ean`) connects this example to the previous one about bread and a stone, indicating a parallel argument. The implied expectation is that a loving father would readily grant such a request.
* **"will he give him a serpent?"**: This is the rhetorical question that forms the core of the verse's teaching. It presents an absurd and unthinkable alternative to the child's reasonable request. The question expects a resounding "No!" from the audience. The "serpent" represents not just something useless, but something actively harmful, dangerous, and potentially deadly. By contrasting a life-sustaining fish with a life-threatening serpent, Jesus underscores the inherent goodness and protective nature of even imperfect human fathers, thereby setting the stage for the greater truth about God's perfect fatherly character.

#### Literary Devices
Jesus employs several potent literary devices in Matthew 7:10. The primary device is **Rhetorical Question**, where a question is asked not to elicit an answer, but to make a point or create a strong effect. The implied answer to "will he give him a serpent?" is an emphatic "No," which serves to highlight the absurdity of the alternative and the certainty of a father's good intentions. This rhetorical question also functions as a form of **A fortiori Argument** (Latin for "from the stronger"), which is explicitly stated in the subsequent verse ([Matthew 7:11](/matthew/7-11 "Matthew 7:11 - The Heavenly Father's Good Gifts")). The argument is: if imperfect human fathers, who are inherently flawed, know how to give good gifts, how much more will the perfect Heavenly Father give good things. The verse also uses powerful **Juxtaposition** and **Symbolism** by contrasting "fish" (symbolizing sustenance, life, and good provision) with "serpent" (symbolizing danger, poison, and evil). This stark contrast vividly illustrates the absolute difference between God's nature and anything harmful, reinforcing His pure benevolence.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 7:10 profoundly shapes our understanding of God's character, revealing Him as a perfectly good, loving, and trustworthy Father. This verse assures believers that God's provision is not only certain but also always good and never harmful, directly refuting any fear that God might mock our needs or provide something detrimental. It establishes a foundational truth about divine benevolence that undergirds all confident prayer and trust in God's sovereignty. The imagery underscores that God's nature is intrinsically generous and protective, desiring the ultimate well-being of His children.

* [Luke 11:11-13](/luke/11-11-13 "Luke 11:11-13 - The Heavenly Father Gives the Holy Spirit")
* [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
Matthew 7:10 offers profound encouragement for our daily lives, particularly in our prayer life and trust in God. It calls us to abandon any lingering doubts about God's intentions and to approach Him with the full assurance of a beloved child approaching a perfectly loving parent. When we face needs, challenges, or uncertainties, this verse reminds us that our Heavenly Father is not only capable but also eager to provide what is truly good for us. It challenges us to align our understanding of "good gifts" with God's perfect wisdom, trusting that His provision, even if it looks different from our expectations, is always for our ultimate benefit and never for harm. This truth should cultivate a deep sense of security, gratitude, and boldness in our relationship with God, freeing us from anxiety and empowering us to live in reliance on His unfailing care.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What fears or doubts do I sometimes harbor about God's willingness or ability to provide for my needs?**
* **How does the contrast between a fish and a serpent challenge my understanding of what constitutes a "good gift" from God?**
* **In what specific areas of my life do I need to trust God's fatherly provision more fully, even when the answer isn't what I expect?**

### FAQ
**Does Matthew 7:10 mean God will always give me exactly what I ask for?**

Answer: No, Matthew 7:10 does not guarantee that God will give you *exactly* what you ask for, but it assures you that He will always give you what is *good* for you. The emphasis is on God's character as a loving Father who would never give His child something harmful or useless in place of a beneficial request. Just as an earthly father might not give a child candy when they ask for it, but instead provides nutritious food, God's "good gifts" are aligned with His perfect wisdom and love, which may differ from our immediate desires. The parallel passage in [Luke 11:13](/luke/11-13 "Luke 11:13 - The Holy Spirit as God's Good Gift") clarifies that the ultimate "good gift" God desires to give His children is the Holy Spirit, implying that His provision is often spiritual and for our eternal well-being, not just material.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 7:10 finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in Jesus Christ. As the perfect Son, Jesus perfectly reveals the nature of the Heavenly Father, demonstrating God's boundless love and benevolent provision through His life, ministry, and sacrifice. He is the embodiment of God's "good gift" to humanity, the "bread of life" ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")) and the one who gives "living water" ([John 4:10](/john/4-10 "John 4:10 - Jesus Offers Living Water")), contrasting sharply with anything harmful or deceptive. Through Christ, we gain access to the Father and receive the ultimate good gift of the Holy Spirit ([Luke 11:13](/luke/11-13 "Luke 11:13 - The Holy Spirit as God's Good Gift")), who empowers us to live as God's children and to pray with confidence. Jesus' own life was an example of perfect trust in the Father's provision, even unto death on the cross, knowing that the Father would raise Him up ([John 10:18](/john/10-18 "John 10:18 - Jesus Lays Down His Life")). Thus, Matthew 7:10 is not merely a general statement about God's goodness, but a promise realized and made accessible through our union with Christ, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life")) to the Father's abundant and perfect 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.