Matthew 7:10

10 Or if the son shall ask him for a fish will offer him a snake?

Matthew 7:10 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 7:10

Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?
] Which is somewhat like a fish, especially an eel. Fish and bread are mentioned, because these were common food; see ( Mark 6:41 ) ( Mark 8:6 Mark 8:7 ) ( John 21:13 ) and particularly in Galilee, a fish country, where Christ now was, and from whence he had called his disciples, who were fishermen. In ( Luke 11:12 ) it is added, "or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?" which is used, as the rest, to show the absurdity and inhumanity of such conduct; and that indeed nothing of this kind is to be found among men, unless it be among monsters in nature.

Matthew 7:10 In-Context

8 For it is always he who asks that receives, he who seeks that finds, and he who knocks that has the door opened to him.

9 What man is there among you, who if his son shall ask him for bread will offer him a stone?

10 Or if the son shall ask him for a fish will offer him a snake?

11 If you then, imperfect as you are, 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!

12 Everything, therefore, be it what it may, that you would have men do to you, do you also the same to them; for in this the Law and the Prophets are summed up.