Luke 11:13

Luke 11:13, in plain English

If imperfect parents know how to give their kids good things, how much more will your perfect heavenly Father give you the Holy Spirit? God's greatest gift isn't stuff -- it's His own presence.

Why it's here

Other Gospels say God gives 'good things,' but Luke says 'the Holy Spirit.' That's the ultimate gift: not just answered prayers, but God Himself living in you.

Who's speaking

Jesus brings the whole teaching on prayer to its stunning conclusion: God gives you His very Spirit.

Where it sits in the story

This is the grand finale of the prayer teaching. You started with 'teach us to pray,' and you end with the greatest promise imaginable: God gives you Himself.

The scholarly reading

The argument reaches its climax: if fallen humans (ponēroi ontes, 'being evil') give good gifts, how much more (posō mallon) will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit. Luke uniquely substitutes 'Holy Spirit' where Matthew has 'good things.'

Language and setting

Luke's emphasis on the Holy Spirit as God's supreme gift reflects his broader theological interest in the Spirit's work (cf. Acts). The Holy Spirit is presented as the ultimate answer to prayer.

Voice

Jesus delivers the conclusion of His teaching on prayer, revealing God's greatest gift.

Significance

The argument reaches its peak: God doesn't just give things -- He gives Himself through the Holy Spirit. This is the ultimate expression of divine generosity in response to prayer.

11What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead?

12Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?

13So if you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”

14One day Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute. And when the demon was gone, the man who had been mute spoke. The crowds were amazed,

15but some of them said, “It is by Beelzebul, the prince of the demons, that He drives out demons.”

Read all of Luke 11 — The disciples ask for a prayer, and Jesus gives them words that have echoed for two thousand years. Then he warns against empty religion.