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

MATTHEW 7:9KJV
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Matthew 7:9 (KJV)

What does Matthew 7:9 mean?

Matthew 7:9 uses a simple example from everyday life to show that just as a loving parent would not give their hungry child a stone when asked for bread, God can be trusted to give good things to those who ask Him. The verse highlights the natural care and goodness expected in a parent-child relationship as a way to understand God's character.

In this verse, Jesus is speaking to a crowd during the Sermon on the Mount, teaching them about prayer and trust in God. By comparing God’s response to that of a human father, Jesus reassures His listeners that God is attentive and generous when people come to Him with their needs. The question about bread and a stone is meant to be obvious—no caring parent would do such a thing—so the point is that God’s goodness is even greater.

The Greek behind Matthew 7:9

  • ἄνθρωπος (anthrōpos, G444): This word means "man" or "person." Jesus is appealing to common human experience, making the teaching relatable to everyone listening.
  • ἄρτος (artos, G740): This word means "bread," which was a basic food in daily life. The use of "bread" emphasizes a real, practical need, not a luxury.
  • λίθος (lithos, G3037): This word means "stone." The contrast between "bread" and "stone" is striking because stones could look similar to loaves of bread, but they are useless for satisfying hunger. This sharpens the sense of disappointment and inappropriateness.
  • αἰτήσει (aitēsei, G154): This word means "ask." The verse centers on the act of a child confidently asking a parent for something necessary, highlighting trust and dependence.

Why Matthew 7:9 matters

  • Matthew 7:9 clears up the idea that God might ignore or respond harshly to sincere requests; instead, it emphasizes God’s reliability and kindness.
  • The verse connects to the larger teaching about prayer in the Sermon on the Mount, encouraging listeners to approach God with confidence.
  • By using a familiar family relationship, Jesus makes the nature of God’s care more understandable and relatable, showing that God’s goodness surpasses even the best human examples.

Where else these words appear

“give” Greek G1929 · used in 10 verses

  • Matthew 7:10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?
  • Luke 11:12 Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?
  • John 13:26 Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.

“stone” Greek G3037 · used in 55 verses

  • Matthew 3:9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
  • Luke 4:3 And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread.
  • Acts 4:11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.

“ask” Greek G154 · used in 68 verses

  • Matthew 5:42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
  • Mark 15:43 Joseph of Arimathaea, an honourable counsellor, which also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus.
  • Acts 3:2 And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;

“bread” Greek G740 · used in 91 verses

  • Matthew 4:3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
  • Mark 7:27 But Jesus said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it unto the dogs.
  • John 6:23 (Howbeit there came other boats from Tiberias nigh unto the place where they did eat bread, after that the Lord had given thanks:)