Paragraph 11:11–13

In the preceding paragraph Jesus encouraged his disciples to ask God for things. He assured them that God would answer their requests. In this paragraph 11:11–13 Jesus illustrated the truth of what he had just said by giving two examples. Both examples showed that a human father would never give his son something harmful if the son asked for something good to eat. He then concluded by stating that God gives the Holy Spirit to those who ask him. See the note on 11:13 for more information about this conclusion.

11:11

What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead?:
This is a rhetorical question. It expects the answer “None.” Jesus used this rhetorical question to emphasize that no father would give evil gifts to his children. Some ways to translate this sentence and emphasize it are:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? ⌊None!⌋
-or-
You fathers—if your children ask for a fish, do you give them a snake instead? (New Living Translation (2004))

• As a statement. Be sure that the statement indicates emphasis. For example:

There is certainly no father among you who would give his son a snake when he asked for a fish!

Translate this emphasis in a way that is most natural in your language.

if his son asks for a fish: At that time, people in Israel ate a lot of fish. Here it is implied that the son was asking for a fish because he was hungry. If people do not eat fish in your culture, you may need to:

• Use a word for “meat.”

• Substitute the name of another common food that is good for children to eat.

If you do use a cultural substitute, it is suggested that you include a footnote saying:

Jesus actually said “a fish.” People in Israel regularly ate fish.

will give him a snake instead?: In comparison to a fish, which was harmless and good to eat, a snake was dangerous and not good to eat. No father would give his son a dangerous snake to eat.

If snakes are generally considered good to eat in your culture, you should:

• Use the name of a specific type of snake that people do not eat. For example:

viper
-or-
cobra
-or-
poisonous snake

• Use another type of snake-like creature that people do not eat. For example:

lizard
-or-
worm

Translate this in a way that is natural in your language.

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