Matthew 7:9

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Or {G2228} what {G5101} man {G444} is {G2076} there of {G1537} you {G5216}, whom {G3739} if {G1437} his {G846} son {G5207} ask {G154} bread {G740}, will he give {G3361}{G1929} him {G846} a stone {G3037}?

Complete Jewish Bible

Is there anyone here who, if his son asks him for a loaf of bread, will give him a stone?

Berean Standard Bible

Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?

American Standard Version

Or what man is there of you, who, if his son shall ask him for a loaf, will give him a stone;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 7:9, a profound rhetorical question from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, powerfully illustrates the benevolent nature of God as a loving Father. Following His instruction on persistent prayer, this verse employs a universally relatable human scenario—a father providing for his son—to underscore God's unwavering willingness to give good gifts to those who seek Him, contrasting divine generosity with the inherent goodness found even in imperfect human parents.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within the climactic section of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, specifically within His teaching on prayer and divine provision (Matthew 6:5-15; 7:7-11). It immediately follows the famous exhortation to "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you" ([Matthew 7:7-8](/matthew/7-7-8 "Matthew 7:7-8 - The Promise of Prayer")). Matthew 7:9 serves as a compelling, common-sense illustration that grounds the preceding promises in a tangible, human experience. It sets the stage for the even more profound declaration in [Matthew 7:11](/matthew/7-11 "Matthew 7:11 - God's Greater Goodness"), where Jesus explicitly contrasts the goodness of earthly fathers with the infinitely greater goodness of the Heavenly Father, assuring His disciples of God's desire to give "good things" to those who ask.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern culture, bread (`ártos`, G740) was not merely a food item but the quintessential staple, symbolizing sustenance, life, and daily provision. It was the most basic and essential foodstuff. The idea of a father providing bread for his hungry son would have resonated deeply as a fundamental act of parental love and responsibility. Conversely, a "stone" (`líthos`, G3037) would be utterly useless and potentially harmful as food, making the contrast stark and absurd. The father-son relationship was also foundational in Jewish society, embodying authority, care, and the transmission of heritage. Jesus leverages this universally understood and cherished bond to convey a profound theological truth about God's character.
* **Key Themes:** Matthew 7:9 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the Sermon on the Mount and the broader Gospel of Matthew. The primary theme is **God's Benevolent Nature**, portraying God not as a distant or reluctant deity, but as a loving, generous Father who delights in providing for His children. This fosters **Confidence in Prayer**, assuring believers that they can approach God with trust, knowing He will not deny their true needs or give them harm. It also highlights **Divine Provision**, emphasizing God's commitment to meeting the fundamental spiritual and physical necessities of His people, much like bread is a basic need. Finally, the verse underscores the **Contrast Between Earthly and Heavenly Fathers**, demonstrating that if imperfect human parents possess an innate desire to give good gifts, the perfect and holy Heavenly Father's generosity is incomparably greater, as elaborated in [Matthew 7:11](/matthew/7-11 "Matthew 7:11 - God's Perfect Giving").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **ask (Greek, _aitéō'_):** G154, meaning "to ask (in general case), beg, call for, crave, desire, require." This word implies a direct request or petition, highlighting the active role of the son in seeking provision from his father. In the context of prayer, it signifies a genuine, earnest appeal to God.
* **give (Greek, _epidídōmi'_):** G1929, meaning "to give over (by hand or surrender), deliver unto, offer." This term denotes the act of bestowing or handing over something. The rhetorical question emphasizes the absurdity of a father *not* giving bread but a stone, thereby highlighting the expected and natural act of giving good things.
* **stone (Greek, _líthos'_):** G3037, meaning "a stone (literally or figuratively)." In this context, a literal stone is presented as the antithesis of bread. It is inedible, useless, and potentially harmful, serving as a powerful symbol of what a loving father would *never* provide when asked for sustenance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Or what man is there of you,"**: This opening phrase introduces a rhetorical question, directly addressing the audience and inviting them to consider a common, relatable human experience. The "Or" (G2228, _ḗ_) indicates a transition to an illustrative example, building upon the preceding teaching about prayer. The phrase "of you" (G1537, _ek_ G5216, _hymōn_) makes the question personal and universally applicable to the listeners, drawing on their own experiences as parents or children.
* **"whom if his son ask bread,"**: This clause sets up the specific scenario. The son's request for "bread" (G740, _ártos_) is crucial, as bread was the most fundamental and necessary food item for survival in that culture. The conditional "if" (G1437, _eán_) introduces a hypothetical but highly probable situation, emphasizing the natural and legitimate need of the child.
* **"will he give him a stone?"**: This is the core of the rhetorical question, presenting the absurd and unthinkable alternative. The "stone" (G3037, _líthos_) is the stark opposite of bread—it offers no nourishment, is inedible, and could even be harmful. The implied answer, an emphatic "No!", highlights the inherent goodness and love expected from even an earthly father, thereby preparing the listener for the greater truth about God's character.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 7:9 is rich in literary devices that amplify its message. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question**, which Jesus uses not to elicit information but to make a forceful assertion. By posing a question with an obvious, universally accepted answer, He compels His audience to agree with the underlying premise: no loving father would give his child a stone when asked for bread. This device makes the argument self-evident and powerfully persuasive. Closely related is **Contrast**, specifically between "bread" and "stone." Bread symbolizes life, sustenance, and good provision, while a stone represents uselessness, harm, and denial of need. This stark juxtaposition highlights the absurdity of a father's malicious response. Furthermore, the verse employs **Analogy**, drawing a parallel between the behavior of an earthly father and the character of God. This human-to-divine analogy, while imperfect (as [Matthew 7:11](/matthew/7-11 "Matthew 7:11 - God's Greater Generosity") clarifies that God's goodness is infinitely greater), serves as an accessible entry point for understanding God's benevolent nature.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 7:9 serves as a foundational statement about God's character, particularly His perfect fatherly love and unwavering commitment to His children's well-being. It refutes any notion of God being a stingy, indifferent, or malicious giver. Instead, it portrays Him as supremely good, eager to provide what is truly beneficial. This theological truth underpins the confidence believers should have in prayer, assuring them that God hears and responds with perfect wisdom and love, always giving what is good, even if not always what is initially requested. The verse encourages a posture of trust and expectation, knowing that our Heavenly Father's generosity far surpasses even the best human instincts.

* [Luke 11:11-13](/luke/11-11-13 "Luke 11:11-13 - The Father's Good Gifts")
* [James 1:17](/james/1-17 "James 1:17 - Every Good and Perfect Gift")
* [Philippians 4:19](/philippians/4-19 "Philippians 4:19 - God Will Supply All Your Needs")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 7:9 profoundly impacts our understanding of prayer and our relationship with God. It invites us to approach our Heavenly Father with unwavering confidence, shedding any fear that He might withhold good things or, worse, give us something harmful. This verse encourages us to pray boldly and persistently, knowing that God's heart is always inclined towards our good. It challenges us to trust His perfect wisdom, even when His answers differ from our expectations, understanding that His "good gifts" may sometimes be spiritual growth, discipline, or a deeper reliance on Him, rather than immediate material provision. Ultimately, it calls us to rest in the assurance that God is a loving Father who desires to nourish and sustain us in every way, fostering a deeper intimacy and trust in His unfailing care.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God as a loving Father, as depicted in this verse, change your approach to prayer?**
* **In what areas of your life do you need to trust God's provision more deeply, even if it doesn't look like what you expect?**
* **How does the contrast between "bread" and "stone" help you discern what is truly good and beneficial in your life?**

### FAQ
**What is the main point of Matthew 7:9?**

Answer: The main point of [Matthew 7:9](/matthew/7-9 "Matthew 7:9 - A Father's Good Gifts") is to illustrate God's benevolent character and His unwavering willingness to provide good gifts to those who ask Him in prayer. Jesus uses the analogy of a loving earthly father who would never give his son a harmful stone when asked for essential bread, to emphasize that our Heavenly Father's goodness and generosity are infinitely greater. It reassures believers of God's care and encourages confidence in approaching Him.

**How does this verse relate to the broader teaching on prayer in the Sermon on the Mount?**

Answer: [Matthew 7:9](/matthew/7-9 "Matthew 7:9 - God's Generous Provision") is a pivotal illustration that immediately follows Jesus' call to "Ask, seek, and knock" in [Matthew 7:7-8](/matthew/7-7-8 "Matthew 7:7-8 - The Promise of Prayer"). It provides the logical and emotional foundation for why believers should ask with confidence: because God is a good Father. The verse then leads directly into [Matthew 7:11](/matthew/7-11 "Matthew 7:11 - The Heavenly Father's Good Gifts"), which explicitly states that if imperfect earthly fathers give good gifts, "how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!" It solidifies the theological basis for persistent and trusting prayer.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 7:9, while speaking of God's general benevolence, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the very embodiment of the "good gift" that the Heavenly Father gives. When we "ask for bread," Christ is the [true bread of life](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life") who satisfies our deepest spiritual hunger, offering eternal sustenance that no earthly provision can match. The contrast between "bread" and "stone" foreshadows Christ as the solid foundation, the [chief cornerstone](/ephesians/2-20 "Ephesians 2:20 - Christ, the Chief Cornerstone"), upon whom true life is built, rather than a useless, harmful stone. Furthermore, Jesus Himself is the perfect revelation of the Father's character, demonstrating God's willingness to give His only Son as the ultimate sacrifice for humanity's greatest need—salvation from sin ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World")). Through His life, death, and resurrection, Christ perfectly illustrates the Father's boundless generosity and commitment to providing "good things," ultimately culminating in the gift of the Holy Spirit to those who ask ([Luke 11:13](/luke/11-13 "Luke 11:13 - The Gift of the Holy Spirit")). Thus, the rhetorical question about a father's love finds its most glorious answer in the person and work of Christ, the Father's perfect and ultimate gift.

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

Luke 11:11

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

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?