The Lord's Prayer and Persistent Prayer
Luke 11:1-13
Luke.11.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Και: CONJ
- εγενετο: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,sg
- εν: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- ειναι: VERB,pres,act,inf
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- εν: PREP
- τοπω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- τινι: PRON,dat,sg,neut
- προσευχομενον: VERB,pres,mid,ptc,acc,sg,m
- ως: ADV
- επαυσατο: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,sg
- ειπεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- τις: PRON,nom,sg,?
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- μαθητων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- προς: PREP
- αυτον·Κυριε: PRON,acc,sg,m+NOUN,voc,sg,m
- διδαξον: VERB,aor,act,imp,2,sg
- ημας: PRON,acc,pl,1
- προσευχεσθαι: VERB,pres,mp,inf
- καθως: CONJ
- και: CONJ
- Ιωαννης: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- εδιδαξεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- μαθητας: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Luke 11:2-4 (verbal): Immediate continuation: the disciples' request is answered by Jesus with the Lord's Prayer in Luke's shorter form; direct linguistic and narrative connection.
- Matthew 6:9-13 (verbal): Parallel version of the Lord's Prayer in Matthew's Sermon on the Mount—closely related teaching on how to pray (longer wording and different emphases).
- Luke 18:1-8 (thematic): Later teaching in Luke about the necessity and persistence of prayer; thematically linked to disciples' instruction in prayer and to Jesus' teachings on prayer life.
- Matthew 9:14-15 (allusion): Mentions 'the disciples of John' in a discussion about religious practice; connects to Luke 11:1's remark that 'John also taught his disciples,' illustrating John's role as a teacher of disciples.
Alternative generated candidates
- Now it came about, while he was praying in a certain place, that when he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, 'Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.'
- While he was praying in a certain place, when he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, 'Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.'
Luke.11.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ειπεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- δε: CONJ
- αυτοις·Οταν: PRON,acc,pl,3
- προσευχησθε: VERB,pres,mid/pass,ind,2,pl
- λεγετε·Πατερ: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,pl
- αγιασθητω: VERB,aor,pass,subj,3,sg
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- ονομα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- σου·ελθετω: VERB,pres,act,imp,3,sg
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- βασιλεια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- σου·: PRON,gen,sg,2
Parallels
- Matthew 6:9-10 (quotation): Matthew gives the parallel Lord’s Prayer with the same opening address and petitions ('Our Father... Hallowed be your name; your kingdom come'), a direct synoptic parallel to Luke’s wording.
- Luke 11:1 (structural): Immediate context: the disciples ask Jesus to teach them to pray, which directly prompts the instruction recorded in 11:2–4.
- Ezekiel 36:23 (allusion): OT theme of God’s name being sanctified among the nations ('I will vindicate the holiness of my great name'), which underlies the petition 'Hallowed be your name.'
- Daniel 2:44 (thematic): Prophetic promise that God will set up an everlasting kingdom, resonating with the petition 'Your kingdom come' and the eschatological hope behind it.
Alternative generated candidates
- He said to them, 'When you pray, say: Father—hallowed be your name; may your kingdom come.'
- He said to them, 'When you pray, say: Our Father who is in heaven, hallowed be your name; may your kingdom come; may your will be done on earth as in heaven.'
Luke.11.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- αρτον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- ημων: PRON,gen,pl,1
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- επιουσιον: ADJ,acc,sg,m
- διδου: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,sg
- ημιν: PRON,dat,pl,1
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- καθ᾽ημεραν·: ADV
Parallels
- Matthew 6:11 (verbal): The same petition in the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew — "Give us today our daily bread" — closely matches Luke’s wording, showing a direct verbal parallel.
- Exodus 16:4 (allusion): God provides manna "bread from heaven" that the Israelites were to gather each day; this daily provision is a likely Old Testament background for the petition for daily bread.
- Deuteronomy 8:3 (thematic): Affirms dependence on God rather than on bread alone—a theological theme behind asking God for daily sustenance and trusting his provision.
- Luke 12:22-31 (structural): In Luke’s narrative Jesus teaches not to worry about food and assures God’s care for daily needs, echoing and expanding the theme of asking God for daily provision.
Alternative generated candidates
- 'Give us each day our daily bread.'
- 'Give us each day our daily bread.'
Luke.11.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- αφες: VERB,aor,act,imp,2,sg
- ημιν: PRON,dat,pl,1
- τας: ART,acc,pl,f
- αμαρτιας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- ημων: PRON,gen,pl,1
- και: CONJ
- γαρ: PART
- αυτοι: PRON,nom,pl,3
- αφιομεν: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,pl
- παντι: PRON,dat,sg,m
- οφειλοντι: VERB,pres,act,part,dat,sg,m
- ημιν·και: PRON,dat,pl,1
- μη: PART
- εισενεγκης: VERB,aor,act,subj,2,sg
- ημας: PRON,acc,pl,1
- εις: PREP
- πειρασμον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- Matthew 6:12 (verbal): Parallel version of the Lord's Prayer: 'forgive us our debts/trespasses'—same petition for forgiveness as Luke 11:4.
- Matthew 6:13 (verbal): Closely related closing petition of the Lord's Prayer ('lead us not into temptation') paralleling Luke's 'μη εισενεγκης ημας εις πειρασμον.'
- Matthew 6:14-15 (thematic): Jesus' teaching that forgiveness from the Father is connected to our forgiving others reflects Luke's clause 'for we also forgive everyone indebted to us.'
- Mark 11:25 (verbal): Instruction to forgive others when praying so that the Father may forgive you—echoes Luke's link between receiving forgiveness and forgiving others.
- 1 Corinthians 10:13 (thematic): Addresses the issue of temptation—God's faithfulness in providing a way out complements Luke's petition asking not to be led into temptation.
Alternative generated candidates
- 'And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us; and lead us not into temptation.'
- 'And forgive us our sins—for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us—and do not bring us into temptation.'
Luke.11.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Και: CONJ
- ειπεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- προς: PREP
- αυτους·Τις: PRON,acc,pl,m,3
- εξ: PREP
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- εξει: VERB,fut,act,ind,3,sg
- φιλον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- πορευσεται: VERB,fut,mid,ind,3,sg
- προς: PREP
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- μεσονυκτιου: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- και: CONJ
- ειπη: VERB,aor,act,subj,3,sg
- αυτω·Φιλε: PRON,dat,sg,m,3
- χρησον: VERB,aor,act,imp,2,sg
- μοι: PRON,dat,sg,1
- τρεις: NUM,acc,pl,f
- αρτους: NOUN,acc,pl,m
Parallels
- Luke 11:9-13 (structural): Immediate continuation and conclusion of the parable: Jesus draws the lesson about persistent asking (Ask, seek, knock) and the Father's readiness to give good gifts (including the Holy Spirit), directly explaining the midnight request image.
- Matthew 7:7-11 (verbal): Similar wording and teaching on prayer ('Ask, and it will be given you…' and the fatherly imagery of giving good gifts like bread), paralleling the point made by the midnight plea for loaves.
- Luke 18:1-8 (thematic): The parable of the persistent widow emphasizes importunity and perseverance in prayer—the same theme of persistence found in the friend-at-midnight story.
- James 4:2-3 (thematic): Discusses asking and not receiving and highlights proper motives in prayer; thematically related as a corrective/contrast to petitions and prayerful requests.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he said to them, 'Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, "Friend, lend me three loaves; a friend of mine has come from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him"?'
- And he said to them, 'Which of you has a friend and goes to him at midnight and says to him, "Friend, lend me three loaves;"
Luke.11.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- επειδη: CONJ
- φιλος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- μου: PRON,gen,sg,1
- παρεγενετο: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,sg
- εξ: PREP
- οδου: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- προς: PREP
- με: PRON,acc,sg,1
- και: CONJ
- ουκ: PART,neg
- εχω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- παραθησω: VERB,aor,act,subj,1,sg
- αυτω·: PRON,dat,sg,m
Parallels
- Matthew 7:7-11 (verbal): Shares the teaching on asking/receiving (ask, seek, knock) and the parental example—if a son asks for bread the father will give it—paralleling the request for hospitality in Luke 11:5-8.
- Luke 18:1-8 (thematic): Parable of the persistent widow emphasizes importunity in prayer: continued asking leads to an answer, echoing the friend's persistence in Luke 11:5-8.
- James 4:2 (verbal): States 'you do not have because you do not ask,' echoing Luke's concern with asking and receiving (the reason for pleading for provision/hospitality).
- 1 John 5:14-15 (thematic): Affirms confidence that if we ask according to God’s will we are heard and receive, connecting to the New Testament theme of assured answering of righteous requests as illustrated in Luke 11:5-8.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he who is inside will answer from within, 'Do not trouble me; the door is already shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.'
- 'for a friend of mine has come to me from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him'? And he from within will answer, 'Do not trouble me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give you anything.'
Luke.11.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- κακεινος: PRON,nom,sg,m
- εσωθεν: ADV
- αποκριθεις: VERB,aor,pass,ptc,nom,sg,m
- ειπη·Μη: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- μοι: PRON,dat,sg,1
- κοπους: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- παρεχε·ηδη: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,sg
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- θυρα: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- κεκλεισται: VERB,perf,pass,ind,3,sg
- και: CONJ
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- παιδια: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- μου: PRON,gen,sg,1
- μετ᾽εμου: PREP+PRON,gen,sg,1
- εις: PREP
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- κοιτην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- εισιν·ου: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
- δυναμαι: VERB,pres,mid,ind,1,sg
- αναστας: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,sg,m
- δουναι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- σοι: PRON,dat,sg,2
Parallels
- Luke 11:5 (structural): The opening line of the same parable (friend at midnight); sets the scene for the refusal (‘the door is shut’) that the neighbor reports in 11:7.
- Luke 11:8 (structural): Immediate interpretive conclusion of the parable: explains that persistence causes the reluctant neighbor to rise and give, directly answering the scenario described in 11:7.
- Luke 18:1-8 (thematic): Parable of the persistent widow and the unjust judge; different stock story but the same teaching on persistence in prayer and God’s eventual response to persistent petitioning.
- Matthew 15:21-28 (thematic): Canaanite woman’s plea: Jesus initially resists but grants the request after persistent entreaty—similar motif of initial refusal followed by granting because of persistence.
- Matthew 7:7-11 (thematic): Teaching to ask, seek, knock and receive; complements the parable’s exhortation to persistent prayer and the expectation that persistent requests will be answered.
Alternative generated candidates
- I tell you, though he will not rise and give him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him whatever he needs.
- I tell you, even though he will not rise and give him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs.
Luke.11.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- λεγω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- και: CONJ
- ου: PART,neg
- δωσει: VERB,fut,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- αναστας: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,sg,m
- δια: PREP
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- ειναι: VERB,pres,act,inf
- φιλον: ADJ,acc,sg,m
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- δια: PREP
- γε: PART
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- αναιδειαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- εγερθεις: VERB,aor,pass,part,nom,sg,m
- δωσει: VERB,fut,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- οσων: PRON,gen,pl,neut
- χρηζει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Luke 11:5 (structural): Immediate context: the parable begins in v.5 (man at midnight asking for bread), setting up the narrative that v.8 concludes—same story and characters.
- Luke 11:9-10 (verbal): Directly follows v.8 and repeats the teaching on persistent asking (ask, seek, knock), linking the parable’s point about persistence to prayer.
- Luke 11:13 (thematic): Draws the lesson from the parable to God’s generosity (if a reluctant friend gives, how much more will the Father give the Spirit), connecting persistence with divine response.
- Luke 18:1-8 (thematic): Parable of the persistent widow similarly teaches perseverance in prayer: an unjust judge grants relief because of continual appeals—parallels theme of persistence producing results.
- Matthew 7:7-11 (verbal): Parallel teaching in Matthew uses the same ask/seek/knock triad and the comparison to a father giving good gifts, echoing Luke’s argument about persistent asking and God’s willingness to give.
Alternative generated candidates
- And I say to you: Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
- I say to you, then: Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
Luke.11.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Καγω: PRON,nom,sg,1
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- λεγω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- αιτειτε: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,pl
- και: CONJ
- δοθησεται: VERB,fut,pass,ind,3,sg
- υμιν·ζητειτε: PRON,dat,pl,2+VERB,pres,act,imp,2,pl
- και: CONJ
- ευρησετε·κρουετε: VERB,fut,act,ind,2,pl+VERB,pres,act,imp,2,pl
- και: CONJ
- ανοιγησεται: VERB,fut,pass,ind,3,sg
- υμιν·: PRON,dat,pl,2
Parallels
- Matthew 7:7-8 (verbal): Near-verbatim synoptic parallel: the Jesus saying 'Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened' appears in the Sermon on the Mount.
- Luke 11:13 (thematic): Immediate Lukan continuation of the asking theme: Jesus applies the promise to the Father, who will give the Holy Spirit to those who ask—intensifying the 'ask and receive' motif.
- Luke 18:1-8 (thematic): Parable of the persistent widow emphasizes perseverance in prayer and persistence in asking—illustrates the same moral imperative behind 'ask, seek, knock.'
- John 15:7 (verbal): Similar promise regarding prayer: 'If you remain in me... ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.' Connects Jesus' assurance about asking to the condition of abiding in him.
Alternative generated candidates
- For everyone who asks receives; and he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks it will be opened.
- For everyone who asks receives; and the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks it will be opened.
Luke.11.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- πας: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- γαρ: PART
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- αιτων: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,sg,m
- λαμβανει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- και: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- ζητων: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,sg,m
- ευρισκει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- και: CONJ
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- κρουοντι: VERB,pres,act,part,dat,sg,m
- ανοιγησεται: VERB,fut,pass,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Matthew 7:7 (verbal): Same triadic imperatives (Ask, seek, knock) in parallel teaching—nearly identical wording and immediate parallel context.
- Matthew 7:8 (verbal): Repeats the concluding promise that everyone who asks receives, who seeks finds, and to the knocker it will be opened—direct verbal parallel.
- John 16:24 (verbal): Jesus' promise that asking will result in receiving ('Ask and you will receive') echoes the present verse’s assurance about prayer and divine response.
- James 1:5 (thematic): Encourages believers to ask God for wisdom with the assurance it will be given—reflects the theme that requesting from God yields a positive response.
- Luke 18:1-8 (thematic): Parable of the persistent widow emphasizes persistent asking and divine vindication—thematises perseverance in prayer implicit in the ask/seek/knock saying.
Alternative generated candidates
- Which of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish?
- Which of you fathers, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent instead of a fish?
Luke.11.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- τινα: PRON,acc,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- εξ: PREP
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- πατερα: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- αιτησει: VERB,fut,act,ind,3,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- υιος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ιχθυν: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- αντι: PREP,gen
- ιχθυος: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- οφιν: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- επιδωσει: VERB,fut,act,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Matthew 7:9-11 (verbal): Nearly identical saying in the Sermon on the Mount: a father who is asked for a fish will not give a serpent, illustrating God’s goodness to those who ask.
- Luke 11:13 (thematic): Immediate pericope continuation: the rhetorical contrast leads to the promise that the Father will give the Holy Spirit to those who ask, reinforcing God’s benevolent response to prayer.
- James 1:5 (thematic): Encourages believers to ask God for wisdom, with the assurance that God gives generously to all without reproach—echoing the theme of a good heavenly Father who gives good gifts.
- Luke 18:1-8 (thematic): Parable of the persistent widow stresses persistent prayer and God’s righteous response; thematically related to Jesus’ teaching about asking and receiving from God.
Alternative generated candidates
- Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?
- Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?
Luke.11.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- αιτησει: VERB,fut,act,ind,3,sg
- ωον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- επιδωσει: VERB,fut,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- σκορπιον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- Luke 11:11 (verbal): Immediate parallel in the same pericope: uses the father/son example (fish/serpent) with nearly identical logic and imagery leading into v.12’s egg/scorpion contrast.
- Matthew 7:9-11 (verbal): Close Synoptic parallel in the Sermon on the Mount: similar rhetorical questions (bread/stone, fish/serpent) teaching that God gives good gifts to those who ask.
- Luke 11:13 (thematic): Direct thematic conclusion of the unit: contrasts human refusal to give harmful things with the promise that the heavenly Father gives the Holy Spirit to those who ask.
- James 1:17 (thematic): Theological parallel: emphasizes that every good and perfect gift comes from the Father, reinforcing Luke’s claim that God gives good (not harmful) gifts.
- Luke 6:38 (thematic): Related teaching on God’s generous reciprocity (give and it will be given to you), supporting the theme that God responds benevolently to human asking.
Alternative generated candidates
- If then you, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father from heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?
- If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children,
Luke.11.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- ουν: CONJ
- υμεις: PRON,nom,pl,2
- πονηροι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- υπαρχοντες: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,m
- οιδατε: VERB,perf,act,ind,2,pl
- δοματα: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- αγαθα: ADJ,acc,pl,n
- διδοναι: VERB,pres,act,inf
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- τεκνοις: NOUN,dat,pl,m
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- ποσω: ADV
- μαλλον: ADV
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- πατηρ: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- εξ: PREP
- ουρανου: NOUN,gen,sg,masc
- δωσει: VERB,fut,act,ind,3,sg
- πνευμα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- αγιον: ADJ,acc,sg,neut
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- αιτουσιν: VERB,pres,act,ptc,dat,pl,m
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- Matthew 7:9-11 (verbal): Almost identical proverbial argument: if earthly parents give good gifts to children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things — parallel wording and logic, including explicit reference to giving good gifts.
- Luke 11:11-12 (structural): Immediate context in Luke: the same teaching continued—contrast between human fathers giving food/egg/fish and the heavenly Father giving the Holy Spirit; Luke 11:13 completes the triadic argument begun in vv.11–12.
- John 14:16-17,26 (allusion): Jesus and the Father send the Helper/Spirit: Father will give another Helper (or send the Spirit) to the disciples — connection in promise and role of the Spirit as gift from the Father.
- James 1:17 (thematic): Universal theological principle that every good and perfect gift comes from the Father of lights — echoes Luke’s appeal to the Father’s willingness to give good gifts to children.
- Romans 8:15-16 (thematic): The Spirit as the Spirit of adoption given by God the Father, who enables believers to call him 'Abba, Father' — thematically linked to receiving the Spirit from the Father as a mark of sonship.
Alternative generated candidates
- how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?'
He was praying in a certain place; when he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples."
He said to them, "When you pray, say: Father, may your name be kept holy; may your kingdom come."
Give us each day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us; and do not bring us into temptation. And he said to them, "Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves,'
for a friend of mine has arrived from a journey to me, and I have nothing to set before him? And from within he will answer, 'Do not bother me; the door is already shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up to give you anything.'
I tell you, even if he will not rise to give him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as much as he needs. And I say to you: Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.
Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a serpent instead?
Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?
If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?