7:9a–b

In the Greek, 7:9a begins with a conjunction that is often translated as “or.” It functions to introduce another example of Jesus’ teaching on prayer. The Berean Standard Bible and most English versions do not translate this word. You should translate it in a way that is natural in your language.

Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?: This is a rhetorical question. It emphasizes the fact that no one would give a stone to his child if he asks for bread.

Here are some other ways to translate this emphasis:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

If/When your son asks for bread ⌊to eat⌋, would any of you give him a stone? ⌊No!⌋

• As a statement. For example:

Certainly none of you would give a stone to your son if/when he asks you for bread.

7:9a

Which of you, if his son: The pronoun his refers generally to any of the people addressed by the plural pronoun you. In some languages using the pronoun “your” is more natural here than his. Another possibility is to change the grammar to make the meaning clear. For example:

Which of you (plur.), if your(plur/sing) son
-or-
Among you (plur.), whoever’s son

bread: The word bread was the food which the Jewish people ate every day. Here it is implied that the son was asking for bread because he was hungry. In some languages bread made of flour is not the daily food. If that is true in your language, you may want to use a word for an everyday food which is also used to refer generally to food. Or you may want to use the general word. For example:

food

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