Matthew 7:9
What does Matthew 7:9 mean?
A plain-English look at Matthew 7:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Matthew 7:9 means
Jesus uses a relatable human analogy to illustrate God's boundless goodness. He asks a rhetorical question: What earthly father, when his son asks for basic sustenance like bread, would cruelly offer a stone instead? The implied answer is none. This emphasizes the natural inclination of even imperfect human fathers to provide good things for their children. The human father's good intentions, despite his fallen nature, serve as a lesser example of God's perfect goodness. It establishes a baseline of parental care to contrast with divine benevolence.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Or what man is there of you, who, if his son shall ask him for a loaf, will give him a stone;
KJV
King James Version · 1611Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Or what man is there of you, who, if his son shall ask him for a loaf, will give him a stone;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Or which of you, if his son makes a request for bread, will give him a stone?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`Or what man is of you, of whom, if his son may ask a loaf--a stone will he present to him?
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Or what man is there among you, of whom if his son shall ask bread, will he reach him a stone?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Or what man is there of you who, if his son shall ask of him a loaf of bread, will give him a stone;
Context
Building on the promise of answered prayer, this verse begins a two-part rhetorical question designed to illustrate God's benevolent nature. It transitions from the simple affirmation of answered prayer to a reasoned argument based on common human experience. This analogy of a loving earthly father sets the stage for the powerful conclusion about the Heavenly Father's even greater generosity, ensuring the reader understands the character of the God to whom they pray.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Luke 11:11
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?
Related questions readers ask
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Want to dig deeper? Explore Matthew 7
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