Luke 11:11 - Printer Friendly

ESV: What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent;

NIV: "Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead?

NASB: Now which one of you fathers will his son ask for a fish, and instead of a fish, he will give him a snake?

CSB: What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead of a fish?

NLT: You fathers — if your children ask for a fish, do you give them a snake instead?

KJV: 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?

NKJV: If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish?

Jesus has explained that if a man is persistent, eventually his neighbor will meet his needs, even if to do so is inconvenient (Luke 11:5–8). Here, Jesus explains that if a son makes a reasonable request for food, his earthly father will not give him something harmful, instead.

Even more so, if Jesus' disciples ask God, their heavenly Father, for that which will help them accomplish God's will, God will generously fill their request (Luke 11:1–4, 13). Jesus has mentioned more laborers to help in the work of spreading the news that the kingdom of God has come (Luke 10:2). Now, He includes that the kingdom would continue to come, that the disciples would receive enough food for each day's needs, that forgiveness would characterize their relationships with God and others, and that they would not fall into temptation (Luke 11:2–4). Later, the Father will provide the Holy Spirit who will empower Jesus' followers to spread the message of how God's kingdom through Jesus offers salvation (Luke 11:13; Acts 2:1–4).

Prayer doesn't annoy God. Unthinkingly repeating words as if reciting a mantra or magic spell does not please Him (Matthew 6:7). However, asking for the same thing over and over doesn't anger Him (Luke 18:1–8). It is true that He won't always answer our prayers in the way we want (Luke 22:42). We should pray humbly, knowing that He knows what is best for us and that He has a plan. But we should also ask boldly, as to a father who loves his child.

Luke 11:9–13 is the last bit of the last story (Luke 11:1–13) of the first section (Luke 9:51—11:13) of what some refer to as "The Travelogue to Jerusalem." The larger section is on the blessings and responsibilities of following Jesus. This last story is on prayer: here, on how God is good and will answer our prayers because He loves us. This is also found in Matthew 7:7–11, although Luke's account may be a later event.

Jesus teaches the disciples how to pray and explains God's intent to give "good" to those who ask. He then exorcizes a demon and refutes the claim that His power is satanic. Jesus explains that unreasonable skeptics will only see the "sign of Jonah." He then criticizes the superficial legalism of the Pharisees. In response, they plot against Him.

In what some scholars refer to as "The Travelogue to Jerusalem" (Luke 9:51—19:27), Jesus prepares His disciples for His crucifixion and resurrection and the establishment of the church. The description begins with Christ teaching the disciples how to spread the news of the kingdom of God and reaffirming how they will be blessed, culminating in the Lord's Prayer (Luke 9:51—11:13). Luke 11 finishes with accounts of leaders who reject Jesus. The remainder of the travelogue gives a pattern of teaching on the kingdom of God, miracles, and explanations of salvation. Then Jesus enters Jerusalem to face the cross.

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.