Matthew 7:11

If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

If {G1487} ye {G5210} then {G3767}, being {G5607} evil {G4190}, know {G1492} how to give {G1325} good {G18} gifts {G1390} unto your {G5216} children {G5043}, how much {G4214} more {G3123} shall your {G5216} Father {G3962} which {G3588} is in {G1722} heaven {G3772} give {G1325} good things {G18} to them that ask {G154} him {G846}?

So if you, even though you are bad, know how to give your children gifts that are good, how much more will your Father in heaven keep giving good things to those who keep asking him!

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!

If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

Commentary

Matthew 7:11 is a profound statement from Jesus's Sermon on the Mount, offering deep assurance regarding God's character and His willingness to respond to prayer. It serves as a powerful encouragement for believers to approach their Heavenly Father with confidence.

Context of Matthew 7:11

This verse concludes a significant section (Matthew 7:7-11) where Jesus teaches about the power and promise of prayer, urging His disciples to "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you" (Matthew 7:7). Jesus uses a common, relatable human experience—that of parents giving gifts to their children—to illustrate a divine truth. This teaching emphasizes God's accessibility and generosity, contrasting human imperfection with divine perfection.

Key Themes and Messages

  • God's Infinite Goodness: The core message is the incomparable goodness of God. Jesus argues from the lesser to the greater: if flawed human parents, despite their "evil" nature (referring to inherent sinfulness, not necessarily malicious intent in this context), still know how to provide beneficial things for their children, then God, who is perfectly good, will surely give "good things" to those who ask Him. This highlights God's benevolent nature and His desire to bless His children.
  • Assurance in Prayer: The verse instills confidence in prayer. It assures us that when we pray, God is not reluctant or stingy, but eager to provide what is truly beneficial. This counters any doubt about God's willingness to hear and answer the prayers of His people.
  • Divine Provision: While human parents might give what their children want, God gives what is truly good for them. The parallel passage in Luke 11:13 clarifies that the ultimate "good gift" God gives is the Holy Spirit, implying that God's provision extends beyond material needs to spiritual blessings and guidance.

Linguistic Insights

  • The term "evil" (Greek: ponēroi) used to describe human parents here does not imply they are necessarily malicious in their giving, but rather acknowledges humanity's fallen, sinful nature in contrast to God's perfect righteousness. Even within this fallen state, a natural human instinct is to care for one's offspring.
  • The phrase "good things" (Greek: agatha) is broad, encompassing everything that is truly beneficial and aligns with God's perfect will for His children. It's not merely about granting desires, but about providing what is genuinely wholesome and helpful for growth and well-being.

Practical Application

Matthew 7:11 encourages believers to persist in prayer with unwavering faith, knowing that God is a loving and generous Father. It reminds us that our Heavenly Father's perspective is far greater than our own; He knows what "good things" we truly need, even more than we do. This verse fosters a deeper trust in God's wisdom and love, urging us to rely on His perfect provision in all circumstances. It invites us to approach Him not just with requests, but with a heart confident in His ultimate goodness and care for His children.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Luke 11:11 (49 votes)

    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?

  • Luke 11:13 (49 votes)

    If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall [your] heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

  • James 1:17 (38 votes)

    Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

  • Romans 8:32 (34 votes)

    He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

  • Psalms 84:11 (31 votes)

    For the LORD God [is] a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good [thing] will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.

  • John 3:16 (24 votes)

    For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

  • Isaiah 49:15 (21 votes)

    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.