Luke 11:13
If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?
Original Language Analysis
πονηροὶ
evil
G4190
πονηροὶ
evil
Strong's:
G4190
Word #:
4 of 25
hurtful, i.e., evil (properly, in effect or influence, and thus differing from g2556, which refers rather to essential character, as well as from g455
ὑπάρχοντες
being
G5225
ὑπάρχοντες
being
Strong's:
G5225
Word #:
5 of 25
to begin under (quietly), i.e., come into existence (be present or at hand); expletively, to exist (as copula or subordinate to an adjective, particip
οἴδατε
know
G1492
οἴδατε
know
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
6 of 25
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
δώσει
give
G1325
δώσει
give
Strong's:
G1325
Word #:
9 of 25
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
τοῖς
G3588
τοῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πόσῳ
how much
G4214
πόσῳ
how much
Strong's:
G4214
Word #:
13 of 25
interrogative pronoun (of amount) how much (large, long or (plural) many)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πατὴρ
Father
G3962
πατὴρ
Father
Strong's:
G3962
Word #:
16 of 25
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐξ
G1537
ἐξ
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
18 of 25
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
οὐρανοῦ
your heavenly
G3772
οὐρανοῦ
your heavenly
Strong's:
G3772
Word #:
19 of 25
the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of god); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the gospel (christianity)
δώσει
give
G1325
δώσει
give
Strong's:
G1325
Word #:
20 of 25
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
πνεῦμα
Spirit
G4151
πνεῦμα
Spirit
Strong's:
G4151
Word #:
21 of 25
a current of air, i.e., breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e., (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital prin
ἅγιον
the Holy
G40
ἅγιον
the Holy
Strong's:
G40
Word #:
22 of 25
sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated)
τοῖς
G3588
τοῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
23 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Matthew 7:11If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?John 4:10Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.Romans 8:32He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?Proverbs 1:23Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.Acts 2:38Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.Joel 2:28And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:Ezekiel 36:27And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.Isaiah 49:15Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.Matthew 6:14For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:Matthew 6:30Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
Historical Context
This concludes Jesus' teaching on persistent prayer (vv. 5-13), using a parable about a friend's persistence and father-son relationship to illustrate God's responsiveness. Matthew's parallel says God gives 'good things' (Matthew 7:11); Luke specifies 'the Holy Spirit'—the ultimate good thing. Before Pentecost, the Spirit came on specific people for specific tasks. After Pentecost, the Spirit indwells all believers permanently (Acts 2). Jesus' promise anticipated this new covenant reality—the Spirit dwelling in believers (Joel 2:28-29, Ezekiel 36:26-27). Asking for the Spirit means desiring God's presence, power, and transformation, not material blessings.
Questions for Reflection
- Why is the Holy Spirit the greatest gift the Father can give, surpassing all material or circumstantial blessings?
- What does 'to them that ask' teach about prayer as the means of receiving the Spirit's fullness and power?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Jesus concludes teaching on prayer: 'how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?' The phrase 'how much more' (Greek 'posō mallon,' πόσῳ μᾶλλον) argues from lesser to greater—if sinful human fathers give good gifts, infinitely more will the perfect heavenly Father give. The greatest gift is 'the Holy Spirit'—not material blessings but God Himself dwelling in us. The condition is simple: 'to them that ask'—prayer is the means. God gives His Spirit to those who ask, enabling relationship, transformation, and service. The Spirit is Christianity's defining gift.