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?
MATTHEW 7:11KJVWhat does Matthew 7:11 mean?
Matthew 7:11 says that if ordinary people, who are flawed, still know how to give good things to their children, then God—who is perfect—will certainly give good things to those who ask Him. The verse uses the example of human parents to show that God’s generosity and care are even greater.
In this verse, Jesus is speaking to a crowd during the Sermon on the Mount. He is encouraging people to trust God when they pray, using the familiar relationship between parents and children to make His point clear. The message is that God’s goodness far surpasses even the best intentions of human parents.
The Greek behind Matthew 7:11
- The word for “evil” is πονηροί (ponēroi), which often means morally flawed or imperfect. Here, it highlights the contrast between human imperfection and God’s perfect goodness.
- The Greek word for “good” is ἀγαθά (agatha), meaning things that are truly beneficial or valuable. This suggests that what God gives is not just pleasant, but genuinely good for those who ask.
- The phrase “how much more” is πόσῳ μᾶλλον (posō mallon), a common way in Greek to make a strong comparison. It emphasizes that God’s willingness to give is far greater than even the best human example.
Why Matthew 7:11 matters
- Matthew 7:11 clears up the idea that God is reluctant or stingy; instead, it stresses that God’s generosity is beyond even the best human examples.
- The verse helps readers understand prayer as a relationship of trust, not just a ritual or obligation.
- This verse connects to the wider teaching in the Sermon on the Mount about God’s character, showing that God’s care is personal and attentive, like a loving parent.