Matthew 7:9

Berean Standard Bible

Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?

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Who asks for bread and finds a stone instead?

Our Father’s hand gives only what is good.

His love responds where mortal hearts are led,

With gifts of grace, by mercy understood.

No serpent coils where fish is humbly sought,

His kindness flows to every child’s request.

In heaven’s care, His blessings are not bought,

But freely given, from His heart’s own chest.

Trust Him who knows the needs within your plea,

His gifts surpass what earthly fathers give.

With faith, approach; His love will set you free,

For God’s good will sustains all those who live.

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The verse Matthew 7:9, “Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone?” serves as a poignant illustration within Jesus’ teaching on prayer in the Sermon on the Mount, emphasizing the trustworthiness and generosity of God as a heavenly Father. Positioned within the discourse on asking, seeking, and knocking (Matthew 7:7-11), this verse employs a rhetorical question to contrast human parental care with God’s infinitely greater goodness, inviting believers to trust in His provision. The imagery of a child asking for bread and receiving something as useless as a stone underscores the absurdity of doubting God’s benevolent response to prayer. To fully grasp the depth of this verse, we must explore its context within the Sermon, its theological significance, and its practical implications for living as disciples in God’s kingdom.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus outlines the character and conduct of those who belong to the kingdom of God, emphasizing a righteousness that flows from a transformed heart. The teaching in Matthew 7:7-11 follows instructions on judgment and discernment, shifting focus to the believer’s relationship with God. After commanding his listeners to ask, seek, and knock with the assurance of receiving, finding, and having doors opened, Jesus now grounds this promise in God’s fatherly nature. Matthew 7:9 introduces a series of rhetorical questions, continued in verse 10, that draw on everyday human experience—parental care for a child—to illustrate God’s even greater care. The verse is closely tied to verse 11, where Jesus concludes that if flawed human parents give good gifts, how much more will the heavenly Father give good things to those who ask. This context frames Matthew 7:9 as a vivid affirmation of God’s reliability, encouraging believers to approach Him with confidence.

The rhetorical question in Matthew 7:9 is both simple and profound, appealing to the universal experience of parental love. Bread, a staple of life in the ancient world, represents a basic, essential need. A stone, while perhaps resembling bread in shape or color, is utterly useless for nourishment, symbolizing a cruel or neglectful response. The question assumes the answer: no loving parent would give their child a stone instead of bread. The absurdity of such an act highlights the reliability of human parents, flawed though they are, and sets the stage for Jesus’ point about God’s infinitely greater goodness. The use of “son” and “father” evokes a personal, intimate relationship, reinforcing the idea that God’s care is not distant or impersonal but deeply relational, like that of a parent who desires the best for their child.

Theologically, Matthew 7:9 reveals the character of God as a loving and trustworthy Father. The comparison to human parents underscores His generosity, but the subsequent verse makes clear that His goodness far surpasses human efforts. This aligns with the broader biblical narrative, where God is portrayed as attentive to His people’s needs, from providing manna in the wilderness to answering the prayers of the psalmists. The verse also reflects the covenant relationship between God and His people, where He invites them to call on Him and promises to respond. In the context of the Sermon, the promise is tied to seeking God’s kingdom and righteousness, suggesting that God’s answers are shaped by His redemptive purposes, not human whims. The imagery of bread also carries echoes of Jesus as the “bread of life,” pointing to the ultimate gift of salvation through Christ, who meets the deepest needs of the soul.

For Jesus’ first-century audience, this teaching would have been both comforting and radical. Living under Roman occupation, many faced daily struggles—hunger, poverty, oppression—that made dependence on God’s provision a pressing reality. The image of a child asking for bread would have resonated deeply in a culture where bread was a dietary staple, symbolizing sustenance and survival. Jesus’ assurance that God would not give a stone in response to such a request offered hope, countering the fear that their prayers might be ignored or answered with harm. The teaching also challenged religious assumptions of the time, where access to God was often mediated through temple rituals or priestly intercession. Jesus’ emphasis on God as a Father who responds directly to His children’s requests was a radical affirmation of His accessibility and care, inviting all to approach Him with confidence.

In a modern context, Matthew 7:9 speaks powerfully to a world marked by uncertainty and spiritual longing. The imagery of a child asking for bread resonates with universal human needs—provision, security, hope—in an age where people often turn to material wealth, technology, or self-reliance for answers. Jesus’ rhetorical question challenges the skepticism that God might be indifferent or untrustworthy, assuring believers that He is a Father who gives good gifts. However, the promise is not about fulfilling every desire but about trusting God to provide what is truly needed, often in ways that align with His kingdom purposes. In a culture that values instant gratification, the call to approach God with faith, trusting His response, counters the despair of those who feel unheard and the impatience of those who demand immediate answers.

Practically, this verse calls believers to a life of confident prayer. The assurance that God will not give a stone when asked for bread encourages boldness in bringing all needs before Him—whether for physical provision, emotional healing, or spiritual guidance. This might mean praying for a job to meet financial needs, wisdom in a difficult decision, or strength in a trial, trusting that God’s response will be good, even if it differs from expectations. The verse also invites reflection on what constitutes “bread”—the true needs of the heart and soul—versus “stones,” the fleeting desires that do not satisfy. Believers are called to align their prayers with God’s kingdom, seeking His will and trusting His wisdom. This requires persistence, as the preceding verses on asking, seeking, and knocking suggest, and a willingness to accept God’s answers, whether they come as provision, redirection, or deeper trust.

The communal implications of this teaching are significant. The church is called to be a community that models trust in God’s fatherly care, encouraging one another to pray with confidence and to support each other in times of need. This involves creating spaces where believers can share their requests openly, pray together for God’s provision, and celebrate His answers, whether immediate or delayed. The church can also teach new believers to approach God as a loving Father, fostering a culture of prayer that reflects faith in His goodness. Such a community stands as a witness to a world that seeks sustenance in vain, showing that true provision comes from the God who gives good gifts to those who ask.

Ultimately, Matthew 7:9 is a call to trust in the character of God. It invites believers to approach Him as a Father who delights to respond, confident that He will not give a stone when they ask for bread. It challenges them to align their requests with His kingdom, to trust His wisdom in answering, and to rest in His love. By living out this principle, believers reflect the nature of a God who is generous, attentive, and faithful, pointing others to the One who meets every need according to His perfect will. This verse is not just a promise about prayer but an invitation to a relationship of intimacy, dependence, and trust with the Father who loves His children beyond measure.

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Grace and peace to you, beloved saints, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, whose love is boundless and whose provision never fails. I write to you, not with the fleeting wisdom of this age, but with the truth of the gospel that stirs the soul and anchors the heart in divine assurance. My spirit is moved by the Holy Spirit to exhort you with the words of our Savior, spoken in the Sermon on the Mount, where He asks, “Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone?” This rhetorical question, radiant with the promise of God’s fatherly care, calls us to trust in His goodness, to approach Him with confidence, and to rest in His provision. May you hear this call and be transformed, that your lives may shine as a testimony to the Father who delights to give good gifts to His children.

Consider, dear brothers and sisters, the profound assurance of this teaching. With the simple imagery of a child asking for bread and a parent’s response, Jesus unveils the heart of a God who is not indifferent or capricious but a loving Father who responds with generosity. The question—would any parent give a stone when their child asks for bread?—assumes an answer so obvious it stirs the heart: no loving parent would offer something useless or harmful in place of what sustains life. If human parents, flawed and finite, know to give good gifts, how much more will our heavenly Father, perfect in love and infinite in wisdom, provide what is good for those who ask? This is the gospel at work: it invites us to come boldly before God, trusting that He will not give a stone when we seek bread, but will meet our needs with His abundant grace.

Theologically, this verse reveals the character of God as a generous and relational Father, whose love surpasses all human understanding. The imagery of bread, a staple of life, points to God’s provision for our essential needs—physical, emotional, and spiritual. The absurdity of giving a stone, useless and lifeless, underscores the trustworthiness of God’s response. He is not a God who toys with His children or withholds what is good, but One who delights to answer according to His perfect will. This promise is rooted in the covenant relationship between God and His people, where He invites us to call on Him and assures us of His care. It points to the cross, where Christ, the bread of life, was given to meet our deepest need—salvation from sin. The assurance that God gives good gifts reflects His sovereignty and wisdom, ensuring that His answers align with His kingdom purposes, often exceeding our expectations.

For Jesus’ first audience, this teaching would have been a beacon of hope in a world marked by scarcity and uncertainty. Living under Roman oppression, many faced daily struggles—hunger, poverty, and spiritual longing—that made dependence on God’s provision a pressing reality. The image of a child asking for bread would have resonated deeply in a culture where bread was a symbol of sustenance and survival. Jesus’ assurance that God would not give a stone countered fears that their prayers might be ignored or answered with harm, offering hope that their heavenly Father was attentive to their cries. This teaching also challenged religious assumptions of the time, where access to God was often mediated through temple rituals. Jesus’ emphasis on God as a Father who responds directly to His children’s requests was a radical affirmation of His nearness, inviting all to approach Him with confidence.

In our world today, the relevance of this teaching shines brightly. We live in an age of anxiety, where people seek provision in material wealth, technology, or self-reliance, often doubting that God cares or hears. Jesus’ words cut through this noise, assuring us that our heavenly Father is trustworthy, ready to give good gifts to those who ask. The promise is not a guarantee of every desire fulfilled but a call to trust God’s wisdom in providing what is truly needed—bread, not stones. In a culture that craves instant gratification, this teaching challenges us to approach God with faith, trusting His timing and His answers, even when they differ from our expectations. The universal imagery of a parent and child invites all to come to God, regardless of status or merit, confident that His love is greater than any human parent’s.

Practically, this teaching calls us to a life of confident prayer. Bring your needs before God with boldness—whether for daily provision, healing in relationships, or strength in trials—trusting that He will not give a stone when you ask for bread. This might mean praying for a job to meet financial needs, wisdom in a difficult decision, or peace in a season of grief, confident that God’s response will be good, even if it comes in unexpected ways. Reflect on what constitutes “bread”—the true needs of your heart and soul—versus “stones,” the fleeting desires that do not satisfy. Align your prayers with God’s kingdom, seeking His will and righteousness above all, as Jesus taught earlier in the Sermon. Persevere in prayer, as the call to ask, seek, and knock suggests, trusting that God’s answers are shaped by His love and wisdom.

The church, beloved, is called to be a community that models trust in God’s fatherly care. Create spaces where believers can share their needs openly, pray together for God’s provision, and celebrate His answers, whether immediate or delayed. Encourage one another to approach God with confidence, supporting those who face unanswered prayers with love and hope. Equip new believers to pray as children of a loving Father, teaching them that His responses are always good. Let your churches be places where the weary find strength, where the hungry find provision, and where the gospel shines forth as a beacon of hope. Your witness is not in self-reliance but in dependence on God, showing a world that seeks in vain that true provision comes from the One who gives good gifts.

I am mindful of the challenges you face. Some of you pray in the face of unmet needs, wrestling with doubt or disappointment when answers seem delayed. Others live in a world that dismisses prayer as futile, pressing you to rely on your own strength. Yet take heart, for the God who invites you to ask for bread is the same God who gave His Son for you. Lean into His Spirit, who intercedes for you with groanings too deep for words. Trust that He is at work, even when answers tarry, providing bread, not stones, according to His perfect will. Let your lives be a testimony to the power of prayer, showing a world that despairs that there is a Father who hears, a Savior who saves, and a kingdom where every need is met in Christ.

As I close, my prayer is that you would know the joy of trusting in God’s goodness, approaching Him with confidence, and resting in His provision. May the Spirit empower you to pray with boldness, to seek His will with zeal, and to trust His answers with faith. Let your lives proclaim the beauty of a God who gives good gifts, who hears every cry, and who loves beyond measure. To Him who is able to do far more than we ask or imagine, to the only God our Savior, be glory, majesty, power, and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, now and forever. Amen.

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O God of boundless love and infinite goodness, whose heart is ever open to Your children’s cries and whose hand provides with perfect wisdom, we come before Your throne in reverent awe, humbled by Your majesty and transformed by Your grace. You are the Father who knows our every need, the Creator who sustains all things, and the Redeemer who sent Your Son, Jesus Christ, to be the bread of life for a starving world. In His words, You have spoken a truth that stirs our faith, asking, “Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone?” In the light of this divine assurance, we pour out our hearts in prayer, seeking Your Spirit’s guidance to trust Your goodness, to approach You with confidence, and to rest in Your provision that is always good and never fails.

Forgive us, O Father, for the times we have doubted Your care, fearing that You might give us stones when we ask for bread. We confess that we have sometimes approached You with hesitation, questioning Your willingness to hear or Your wisdom to provide. Our anxieties have clouded our trust, our impatience has dulled our faith, and our self-reliance has turned us to the fleeting solutions of this world. Cleanse us, we pray, from the sin of distrust that keeps us from Your throne. By Your Spirit, renew our hearts, that we may come to You as children to a loving Father, confident that You will not give us what is useless or harmful but will provide what sustains and satisfies, according to Your perfect will.

We praise You, Lord, for Your character as a generous Father, whose love surpasses all human understanding and whose provision is always good. You are the God who fed Your people in the wilderness, who gave manna from heaven and water from the rock, and who sent Your Son to be the bread of life, meeting our deepest need for salvation. Your question—would any parent give a stone instead of bread?—reveals Your heart, assuring us that Your responses are rooted in love, not indifference. Your gospel unveils Your goodness, showing through Christ’s death and resurrection that You are a Father who delights to give good gifts, who hears every cry, and who provides according to Your wisdom. Grant us, by Your mercy, the faith to trust Your provision, the boldness to ask for bread, and the patience to receive what You deem good.

In this moment, we bring before You the needs that press upon our hearts—provision for our daily sustenance, healing for our wounds, wisdom for our decisions, and strength for our trials. We ask for Your kingdom to come, for Your will to be done in our lives and in the world around us. We seek Your guidance, longing to know what is truly bread—Your truth, Your presence, Your righteousness—and to turn from the stones of this world that cannot satisfy. We trust that You will not give us what is useless but will provide what nourishes our souls, whether it be peace in a storm, provision in scarcity, or hope in despair. Teach us to pray with confidence, to align our requests with Your kingdom, and to rest in Your promise that Your gifts are always good.

We pray for Your church, the body of Christ, called to be a community that trusts in Your fatherly care. Unite us in our dependence on You, that we may ask together for Your provision, support one another in times of need, and celebrate Your answers with gratitude. Raise up among us those who model a life of trust, who encourage the doubtful to approach You with boldness, and who teach new believers to pray as children of a loving Father. Let our churches be places where the hungry find sustenance, where the weary find rest, and where the gospel shines forth as a beacon of hope. May our witness proclaim to a world that seeks in vain that true provision comes from You, the God who gives good gifts to those who ask.

O Father, we long for the day when Your kingdom will come in fullness, when every need will be met in Your presence, when every heart will feast on the bread of Your glory. Until that day, sustain us by Your Spirit. Fill us with the confidence to ask for bread, the faith to trust Your provision, and the gratitude to receive Your good gifts. Let our lives proclaim the beauty of Your gospel, showing a world that despairs that there is a Father who hears, a Savior who saves, and a kingdom where every need is met in Christ. We ask all this in the name of Jesus, our Redeemer, who taught us to trust Your goodness, who became our bread of life, and who reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.