Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Matthew 7:10

Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?

10. Or if he ask a fish, will hegive him a serpent?like it, indeed, but only to sting him.

Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?] Which is somewhat like a fish, especially an eel. Fish and bread are mentioned, because these were common food; see Mr 6:41

Joh 21:13 and particularly in Galilee, a fish country, where Christ now was, and from whence he had called his disciples, who were fishermen. In Lu 11:12 it is added, “or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?” which is used, as the rest, to show the absurdity and inhumanity of such conduct; and that indeed nothing of this kind is to be found among men, unless it be among monsters in nature.

Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

Fish–serpent (—). Fish, common article of food, and water-snakes could easily be substituted. Anacoluthon in this sentence in the Greek.

Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament

1) “Or if he ask a fish,” (e kai echthun aitesei) “Or even if he ask for a fish;” If he makes an honest sincere request for a fish, as meal for one day, to satisfy his hunger for that one day Mat 6:11.

2) “Will he give him a serpent?” (me ophin epidosei auto) “He (his father) will not give him a serpent, will he?” Or something that looks like a snake to mock him, a fish forbidden by law to be eaten, Lev 11:12, will he? A father might refuse his son a loaf or a fish, but it would be out of character for any father to mock his son because he made him a request for a day’s food, Luk 11:11-12.

Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary