Or if he shall ask him a fish, will he reach him a serpent?
και εαν ιχθυν αιτηση μη οφιν επιδωσει αυτω
10 Church Fathers comment on this verse
The Lord instructs us that we ought to seek after beneficial gifts. He points out that just as children inquire of their parents for essential items like bread and fish, and their parents provide for them, so too are we encouraged to pursue spiritual gifts rather than earthly desires.
If you, being flawed, are able to provide good gifts to your children, how much greater will the gracious Father in heaven be in giving good things to those who seek Him. Yet, how do the unrighteous perform acts of kindness? Christ referred to those aligned with worldly pursuits and sinners as the wicked. Though the blessings they offer might be perceived as good from their perspective, they ultimately stem from a flawed nature. These gifts may indeed possess inherent value, but they are fleeting and tied to this fragile existence. Those who are wicked offer these gifts not from their own merit; for the Lord owns the earth and all it encompasses, having created the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything within them.
Therefore, we have great confidence that God will bestow blessings upon us when we request them, and He does not mislead us with gifts that lack substance when we call upon Him. Despite our imperfections, we trust that He will grant our requests. After all, we do not deceive our children, and the good we share with them comes not from our own being, but as a provision from God.
He who once prohibited the pursuit of earthly desires now guides us in what we should truly desire. For it is stated that to those who ask, it will be given; to those who seek, they will find; and to those who knock, the door will be opened. Thus, the individual who does not receive, does not find, or does not see is one who asks, seeks, and knocks inappropriately. Therefore, such a person will be led to the threshold of Christ, of whom it is said, Behold the gate of the Lord; the righteous shall enter in (Psalm 117:20). When we pass through this gate, the hidden riches in Christ Jesus, in whom all wisdom is contained, will be unveiled to us.
Once more, he draws upon a fundamental aspect of human existence, using illustration to guide the listener towards faith in his words. The one who petitions must be a child, seeking that which is fitting for a father to bestow and for a child to accept.
Children often seek various things from their father, who, in turn, does not fulfill every request, but rather provides what is essential and beneficial. Similarly, believers approach their heavenly Father with their desires, yet He grants only what is necessary and advantageous. "Is there any man among you who, when his son asks him for bread, would give him a stone, and when he asks for fish, would give him a serpent? Therefore if you, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask Him" (Matthew 7:9-11).
When one asks for a fish, would he provide a serpent instead, one that resembles a fish? Why, then, does our compassionate Heavenly Father not always respond to our pleas? It is because we frequently request from God things that are not beneficial for us, asking for stones rather than bread. As St. Chrysostom advises, “Do not request anything worldly, but seek everything spiritual, and you will surely receive.” Thus, those who pray should adhere to two principles: first, to ask diligently, and second, to seek what is rightful. The Savior reminds us that, like human fathers, we await our children's requests.
When little ones ask for dangerous items, like knives or hot coals, we refrain from giving them those things out of love and care, while we gladly provide them with what is truly useful when asked. We lack omniscience; as the Apostle Paul points out in Romans 8:26, we do not know what we ought to pray for. However, God knows what is truly beneficial and salvific for us, and sometimes, in withholding our requests, He is acting in our best interest.
The Apostle Paul prayed three times for the Lord to remove the ‘angel of Satan’ or a temptation from him, yet the Lord not only chose not to grant this request but firmly denied it. Blessed Augustine encourages us not to lose heart when we ask without receiving: “Do not assume that God’s gaze has turned away from you. A physician does not always give a patient what he desires; rather, he prescribes what is truly needed. The doctor may deny enjoyable food to the sick to ensure they recover fully.” This illustrates how God fulfills the deepest desires of His servants—the desire for holiness—while not always meeting transient wants, which may sometimes be detrimental.
At times, God may delay the answer to your prayer. Do not be disheartened, as St. Chrysostom states, “Do not abandon your request until you receive, nor turn away until you find, until the door is opened to you.” You will indeed receive if you ask for what befits God to give, and finding it beneficial to receive. Remember that sloth and discouragement in prayer stem from the enemy. Monk Agathon notes that “there is no toil greater than praying to God. As soon as one wishes to pray, the enemy seeks to divert him, recognizing that nothing combats him as effectively as prayer. This is why prayer until the last moment of life demands perseverance.”
Sometimes, God postpones the grant of your request so that you will not forget Him or abandon Him right after receiving what you sought. Or it may be that you have made yourself unworthy of the gift you requested. The Holy Fathers affirm, “God listens to those who listen to Him,” meaning those who follow His commandments. The Heavenly Father is both good and just; thus, He cannot bestow gifts upon the unworthy, and out of His goodness, He cannot grant harm to those who ask. Though it may appear that our prayers go unheard, it is often revealed that they are understood in ways far greater than we can conceive. In such instances, it may be more beneficial that God seems not to hear us; even the silence brings a blessing. St. Chrysostom remarks, “God loves humanity so deeply that His love surpasses earthly fathers as goodness exceeds wickedness,” so that human kindness, in comparison with the boundless goodness of God, is minimal at best, as noted by St. Isidore Pelusiot.
In summary, the Lord instructed that in times of need, we must consistently approach God in prayer. Our interactions with our neighbors should be governed by the principle that our love for them should match our love for ourselves. We are to cultivate the habit of walking the narrow path, remain vigilant against false prophets, and put into practice the teachings we have received. By establishing these life principles for His followers, the Lord delineated the key elements that differentiate their righteousness from that of the Pharisees and laid a solid foundation for the spiritual formation of His chosen community.
These guidelines were not only applicable to that specific time or to particular individuals; they were intended as a universal law and standard for all His disciples since they are grounded in the eternal precepts of Divine holiness and the essential moral principles instilled by the Creator within human nature.
The chosen ones had not previously undergone formal education, having only spent a brief period among John’s followers, such as Andrew and John. The Lord selected those who demonstrated their love and devotion with the trust of children, untouched by illusions of false wisdom, and provided them their instruction. He taught them not merely through words, but also through His actions—both in solitude and before crowds, in homes and on journeys, across land and sea. What remained unclear to others, He clarified for them, keeping them as constant witnesses to His life and works. He gradually worked to dispel the biases they held from Jewish teachings, transforming mistakes into lessons for their benefit. He permitted them to engage in discussions on familiar topics while also making it evident that He was aware not just of their conversations, but also of the innermost thoughts of humanity. He guided their emotions and aligned them with their responsibilities. In essence, He purified and illuminated their minds and hearts, preparing them for the complete outpouring of the Spirit of truth and sanctification. Initially, they related to Him as disciples; by the conclusion of His earthly ministry, He referred to them as friends (Jn. 15:14-15), for He revealed all to them, ultimately addressing them as brothers.
In the passages starting from 7:7, it is clear that the teachings and practices of the Pharisees cannot be disregarded, as highlighted in earlier discussions. However, certain topics, such as prayer and the command to love one's neighbor, revisit themes already examined. Therefore, everything commencing from 7:7 can be viewed as conclusive guidance, providing a final set of teachings akin to those presented earlier. This instruction emphasizes the standards of truth and moral excellence that Christ expects from His followers. Firstly, this entails an earnest commitment to prayer in full confidence that our loving God will respond to our requests in His perfect timing (7-11).
As stated by Christ, "All the more your heavenly Father will give good things to those who ask Him" (11:13). In Luke's account, it is noted that He will give the Holy Spirit to those who seek Him. Among the numerous blessings the heavenly Father bestows upon believers in Christ, this one stands out as the greatest, for when the Holy Spirit is given, all other blessings will surely follow.
Ask, and it will be given to you. With this final directive, Jesus concluded His teaching on how to gain entry into the kingdom of heaven. Many who listened may have found the requirements He presented challenging or the demands He placed upon them difficult to bear. Following this, His disciples expressed their concerns, asking, “Who then can be saved?” (Matthew 19:25). On a previous occasion, Christ had clarified that the yoke He requires of those seeking salvation is beneficial, and the burden He places upon them is light (Matthew 11:30). Now, as He wrapped up His Sermon on the Mount, He urged His audience to persist in the pursuit of His intended goal: Seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you (Matthew 7:7).
In this diligent quest for the Kingdom of Heaven, it is vital to remember that you cannot rely solely on your own abilities without God's assistance; therefore, pray, ask, and it will be given to you. Just as those who strive with dedication always find what they seek, and those who knock continually will have the door opened, so too will those who ask repeatedly receive. Is there anyone among you who, if his son requests bread, would offer him a stone? Or if he asks for fish, would give him a serpent? If you, being flawed, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father provide good things to those who seek Him. Many people grumble against God for not receiving what they request immediately, and from such grumbling, they may fall into despair or, worse, into disbelief. “If you do not receive promptly,” advises Chrysostom, “do not lose hope. Christ mentioned knocking to indicate that if the door does not open quickly, you should be ready to wait. If you persistently ask God, you will ultimately receive what you desire, even if it takes time, and you will surely receive it. The purpose of the door being locked is to compel your effort; the delay in responding to your requests serves the same purpose. Therefore, continue to ask, and you shall certainly receive. But lest you wonder, ‘What if I ask and do not receive?’ - to counter this concern, the Savior presents a parable to illustrate not only what to request but also how. Is there any man among you who, when his son requests bread, would offer him a stone? Thus, if you do not receive, it may be because you are asking for something unhelpful. Being a child is not enough to guarantee a response; rather, it could hinder your ability to receive if you request what is not beneficial. Do not seek worldly things, but rather all things spiritual, and you will certainly receive. If you argue further that you do not receive even when asking for spiritual matters, the reasons may be that you either do not knock with due diligence, have rendered yourself unworthy, or have ceased to seek altogether. You might then ask why the Savior did not specify what to request. However, He has already provided the answer: “Seek… first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things (meaning earthly provisions) shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33). But do we truly need to view all earthly things as stones not to be sought from our Heavenly Father? Didn’t Christ teach us to pray for our daily bread? Isn’t this daily bread essential for sustaining human life, which includes those worldly provisions that according to St. John Chrysostom we should not seek? Indeed, Jesus was petitioned for healing from physical afflictions and did heal the sick, leading us to conclude that it is appropriate to pray for health and recovery. Since physical well-being is necessary for life, being as temporal as food, drink, clothing, and shelter, we must recognize that Christ did not prohibit asking for earthly or material blessings to the extent of genuine necessity. When He taught us to pray for daily bread and said, “Ask, and it shall be given unto you,” He primarily referenced that which leads to everlasting life, assuring His disciples and listeners of God’s support in obeying all His commands and upholding the burden He set before them. In reality, this yoke is not as burdensome as it may seem at first glance. All of Christ’s commands and His yoke can be encapsulated in His concluding instruction: “In everything, therefore, treat others as you would have them treat you.”
Patience and Perseverance In establishing profound moral principles for the followers of His kingdom, Christ the Savior called for patience and perseverance along the path of salvation they had chosen. This journey to eternal life is fraught with numerous dangers and temptations, yet the Lord revealed to His disciples the means to overcome these obstacles through diligent and unrelenting prayer to the heavenly Father, who grants assistance to those who seek His grace. Simultaneously, He urged them to strive tirelessly and energetically for the ultimate goal—the Kingdom of Heaven—without being swayed by the enticing words of false prophets, and to live out the teachings He brought forth. “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” With these familiar expressions drawn from everyday life, Jesus Christ illustrated the importance of consistent and heartfelt prayer to God, the ultimate source of all blessings. Although the All-Knowing One is aware of our needs even before we vocalize them and is ready to provide all that we require in His mercy, our sincere and humble prayers are vital as an expression of our faith and love for Him. As St. Philaret of Moscow stated, “he who does not seek grace from God cannot receive it, as his heart remains closed.” St. John Chrysostom elaborates that if some do not receive answers, it may be due to their requests for trivial matters; in such instances, it is preferable not to receive than to be granted what is asked, for even in ungranted requests, spiritual growth can be achieved. Jesus Christ further clarified this notion by comparing God’s response to that of a father fulfilling his child’s wishes: “Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent?” Following this, the Lord differentiated “evil paternal love” from His own goodness, as noted by St. John Chrysostom, and added: “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask Him, knowing the right time and the right gift to provide.”
Greek text, 8 words with lemma, transliteration and Strong’s number. Tap to expand.
THEOSIS