GEGRAPTAI - It is written

Luke and Matthew tend to use the word gegraptai to introduce Old Testament quotes though they are certainly not the only NT writers to do so.

This image will be made available on My DeviantArt Gallery when I have time to upload it 

Gegraptai is also one of those verb forms that are stronger in Greek.

This verb is the perfect passive form of GRAPHOO.

Why not just use the Aorist? Perhaps Luke is trying to stress the link between past and present? 

The quote is a written thing continuously in use. Remember the Aorist is a Complete Action but Perfect forms are not just used for past actions in Greek but also present actions for states.

IT IS WRITTEN appears in Luke 3.4  before a quote from the Prophet Isaiah then in 4.4 and 4.8 a quote from Dt 8.3,  and then in 4.10, a quote from the Psalms, and in 4.11 another Psalms quote and again in 4.12 a quote from Dt 6.16, then again in 4.11

While the famous quote from Jesus about fulfilling the laws and prophets appears in Matthew 5.17 Luke's opening chapters particularly cite prior prophecies as evidence of Jesus' special status and role and the use of the perfect passive and its repetition strengthens this link to the Old Testament.

Another reason I want you to be more aware of the Greek ... it sounds so much better in Greek than English. Compare GEGRAPTAI being used to rebuke the Devil  to the English it is written !

However remember also what Jesus said about AGAPE  being the core of the commandments. 

He didn't punish the Devil smiting him with divine fire he simply used a quote, words of power to deny temptation.

Now I must go as the local cockatoos are outside trying to tempt me to pay more attention to them than blogging. They're sitting on the railing where they know I can see and hear them. Yes I will refill your water bowl! Practical actions of agape ! 

Covenants and Communion

#wordstudy #biblestudy diatheekee #covenant #koinegreek

What do you think of when you see the word covenant?

Mark 14:24 
and he said to them 
"this is the blood of me of the DIATHEEKEE which is being poured out for many"

 Mark 14:22-26 and parallel passages in Luke and Matthew about the Last Supper are part of the foundation and support for various teachings and practices for Holy Communion or Mass or whatever your church calls it?

Let use consider the word diatheekee usually translated as covenant.

It also means will or testament or a placing of property based on an arrangement between individuals.

The verbal root is diatitheemi.

Consider alternative translations
this is mine blood of inheritance
this is the blood mine for inheritance
this is the blood of me the property which is being poured out for the many

Summing all of that up as a covenant makes senses but it is also a promise to the disciples present of an inheritance to be shared by many?
And  perhaps given the preset Perfect Passive form a prophecy of a VERY NEAR future event
A phrase more exactly meaning a very soon to be event involving bloodshed is about to occur reads equally awkwardly in Greek or English.

I do wish there was some way to place more emphasis on DIATHEEKEE in English?

I hope I've shown you again why knowing even a little greek or using a commentary that refers to the greek text is important and useful?

EXOUSIA

#greeknewtestament #wordstudy #biblestudy #koinegreek

The last words of Jesus in Matthews Gospel are an exhortation even an order to go and make students of all the nations to baptize them and teach people to keep on doing what Jesus taught.

( I should note there that matheuoo could also be translated as instruct rather than make to learn though it was strengthened by the use of the Imperative)

I'm going to analyze this paragraph in more detail over the next few weekends but first I want you to consider one word:

EXOUSIA

Verse 18 in the final chapter 

"It has been given to me ..."

Power and Authority over all heaven and earth!

What a startling statement this is when you give it deeper thought.

Many of my readers may be thinking "Yes Jesus is Lord!" but think about how great this power is!

Jesus is saying to his disciples that he has power greater than the Roman emperors and the magistrates and officials who served i,t or the temple theocracy or other powers, human , and more than human! Think how shocking that use of exousia would be to people in the first century who saw Rome dominating the known world.

Does he tell the disciples to worship him or rebuke them for doubting his resurrection?

No he commands them to do what he did, to travel about and teach others, to continue and complete the ongoing mission.

I end by reminding you what Jesus stated to be the two greatest commandments.

Love God and your neighbors with all your heart mind and soul.

A Living God

A LIVING GOD
Thoughts on Matthew Chapter22 23-33
#greeknewtestament #biblestudy
The Sadducees apporached Jesus with a hypothetical situation based on a tradition of widows having the right and obligation to remarry close kin of their husbands.
OT examples of this are the stories of Tamar and Ruth.

Jesus rebukes them in verse 29

You wander (= err in modern English usage) not knowing the (holy) writings or the poer of god.
Verse 30 for in the resurrection they not marry or or married
why both verbs in greek the active and middle forms for th verb to marry gameoo was linked to the gender of the agent so Jesus is indicating he is addressing both sexes.

A widow had the right to ask for another husband from her former spouse's family but she could also be pestered or harassed into a remarriage not of her choice.

but like angels in heaven they are

and about the resurrection of the dead have you not read the words to you by god spoken

I am the God of Abraham and the god of Isaac and the god of Jacob

Not is god for the dead but living?!

A Living God then and now is also the god of Sarah Hagar Ishmael Rebekah Leah and more.

Hypotheticals can be great training exercises but teachers and theologians need to have practical answers for the living.

Islamophobia and Mercy

#mercy #islamophobia #aussievalues #christiannation #gospel #whatjesussaid #bible study

I'm getting very tired of seeing people claiming they're defending "Aussie Values" and acting like bigotry is a value and virtue rather than a vice.

So a few reminders

Jesus started life as a refugee with his parents moving to Egypt to get away from a ruler who was paranoid and megalomaniac slaughtering children.

Jesus reached out to and healed  people who were not Jewish, including Romans, Greeks, Syrians, and others.

Jesus preached about the Good Samaritan who didn't stop to do background security checks on the wounded person by the side of the road but helped him get to a safer location where he could receive medical attention.

Finally tying this back to the classics remember the ancient greek tradition of XENIA hospitality to strangers.

MERCY is a VIRTUE

In the Gospel of Matthew Chapter 20  verses 29 - 34 Jesus stops when two blind men sitting by the roadside cried out HAVE MERCY ON US
The crowd  okhlos rebuked them and tried to silence them but they continued to call for help HAVE MERCY ELEEESON

Notice jesus doesnt just bless them and go on his way he asks them

ti thelete poieesoo humin
what do you want me to do for you ?

Jesus showed mercy by healing them

He didn't post xenophobic rants on Twitter or other social media.

Okay you say I'm sitting on a laptop balanced on my knees posting to a blog.

Teaching however is also a form of ministry and a gift according to Paul.

You don't have to fly over to Syria and volunteer as an aid worker or medical staff and its okay if you don't have much money for donations but at least remind all the xenophobes and haters out there that if Australia is a "Christian nation" then we have to support not just Justice by fighting against ISIS but  also MERCY via practical actions.

Calling on bans on migration is not going to stop ISIS or terrorist actions.

Expressing Mercy by letting in more refugees is or should be an "Aussie value"

ELEEESON HAVE MERCY

on a technical note the 3 eees I typed represent a short e followed by a long vowel which has become I in modern greek.

Servants Among You

Servants Among You
Matthew 20:25-28

#biblestudy #whatjesussaid #greeknewtestament

What Church leadership should be! Servants to all ?


Verse 25 and the Jesus summoning them said

You know that the rulers of the nations lord over them and the great have power over them

Verse 26

NOt so will it be in in you plural
(changed to among in English in the sense of being IN a group)
but whoever wants among you great to become will for you servant
diakonos can refer to a free or slave servant attendant or minister and the word implies someone who stirs up dust being busy for you  dia + koneoo )

Verse 27

and whoever wishes among you to be first will be for you slave!

diakonos and doulos alike serve others

Verse 28 even as the son of man not came to be served but to serve and to give the soul / life of him (as) ransom instead / for many.

Anti here ... remember how the greeks romans and jews measure coinage not just by counting but also balancing weighing and assessing coins. One gold coin would be worth many silver or copper!

Real leadership is having and taking responsibility for others not just having orders but service!

All Things Possible

#biblestudy #newtestamentgreek #dunatos

Matthew 19:26

so the disciples had just asked freaking out about how the young rich man had been told to go sell his possessions and give to the poor.

Who then can be saved?  They asked.

and Jesus looked at them begins the next verse
and I'm thinking a long hard stare because they're worried about their personal salvation rather than how they could practise the simple advice to be obey the commands and laws and help those worse off ...

Jesus then says

With Humans this impossible is
and with god all things are possible.

Note its salvation he's talking about not miracles but bear in mind

dunatos means powerful and strong as well as possible

and that statement if you think about it at length sends a shiver down the spine.

panta all dunatos possible
scary ???

Difficult and easier

Difficult and Easier
some comments and observations about Matthew Chapter 19 Verses 23 - 24
but first my usual word for word rough translation

the and jesus said to the students of him
amen i say to you that
 (for is used in English as that best expresses meaning of greek syntax)
rich  difficultly difficult ... its an adverb in Greek and you just can't translate this in English! so duskoloos - oos adverb ending becomes difficult !
that for (the) rich difficult to come into the realm of the heavens

again and i say to you easier
 (eukopos in comparative form note the ooteron ending!)
is (for) camel through opening of a needle to pass through
than (for) rich to enter into the realm of god

a further note about duskolos and eukopos
if you have access to a lexicon look out these two words and then look up the stems and observe how the prefixes change the meanings of the stems

Many people want to be both RICH and Righteousness
but the two don't always go together

look back to the prior verses

You don't see Jesus saying condemn the poor for being lazy or sinners but help the wretched yet I see some preachers and ministers and politicians equate poverty alleged laziness and sin

I don't think Jesus would have approved of the so called Prosperity Gospel ???

Jesus to the Young Rich MAN

#biblestudy #gospel #greeknewtestament

Matthew 19: 21-22

so the rich kid claims I keep the commandments !

jesus' response translated word by word from the greek new testament

If you wish complete/perfect to be go away sell your property/possessions and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven(s) and come here follow me.

Now this young man according to verse 22  "was for having possessions many"

he was wealthy probably in a variety of ways coins jewels land

but he wanted teleios to be complete whole perfect

note jesus didn't mention the do not covet commandment so he didn't sense greed was this man's problem?

Perhaps he was only "loving" his nearest family and friends and neighbours who were all as wealthy as him?

Note Jesus didn't say sell ALL your worldly goods or discard all your wealth.

He encouraged the young man to sell things he didn't need and use the money to help those who really needed help and then to follow him if he wanted to learn more about spiritual treasure.

Perhaps this young man had simply expected to have a theology / philosophy debate and get praised for his virtue but jesus told him to do more.

Are we doing enough too?

Be Careful what you ask for

Matthew 18 18 -20 Matthew 18:19

#biblestudy #greeknewtestament

These 3 verses and in particular 19 shows why a knowledge of greek can be useful.

Many commentators presume these verses are about the power of prayer but ...
let us consider them in context and then phrase by phrase.

Chapter 18 talks about forgiveness and protecting the innocent and sin and ends in a parable about a royal servant who asks for forgiveness of a debt and then goes and mistreats a minor debtor.

Verse 18

amen i say to you whatever is bound upon the earth will be bound in heaven and whatever is loosened upon the earth will be released in heaven

Verse 19

again i say to to you that if/whenever two agree sumphooneoo
which is literally make sounds in unison
out of you plural upon the earth about the whole  affair event activity
NOTE THE NOUN IS PRAGMATOS !
not a prayer or a wish a discussion about something!
relative pronoun so whichever? they asked
it will happen - geneesetai to them be done to them
by the father mine in the heavens

verse 20

where for are 2 or 3 gathered together in mine name there i am in middle of them.

It may well be what they receive as a response to their discussion or joint prayers might not be a wish?

Think carefully and read deeply the next section.

Be careful what you ask for!

Leavening and Attention

#biblestudy #greeknewtestament #gospel

Matthew 16 5-12

The disciples seem to have had a lot of catering problems.

Once again they have forgotten to bring any bread - ARTOUS with them.

ARTON could be "flat" bread unleavenend or leavened "White" bread.

Whichever it was once again they forgot to check!

Possibly they were talking amongst themselves while jesus was discussing the hypocrisy of the pharisees and Saducees as he rebukes them saying

Pay attention of the leaven / yeast ZUMA of th Pharisees and Saducees.

Still they continued arguing amongst themselves.

yes some translations say reason amongst themselves and some people translate
dialegomai as discuss  but if this wasn't a discussion they was talking aobut how they could justify and explain not remembering the shopping when they shouls have been listening to Jesus?

Note his next remark to them

"Why are you discussing this amongst yourselves men of little faith that bread you do not have? You do not understand or remember the five loaves of the 5000 and the many baskets left? Or the seven loaves of the 4000 and how many baskets (of a different kind) were left (over)?
How do you not understand that not about bread I speak to you?
 but you must be pay attention / be aware / heed of the leaven of the Pharisees and Saducees.

I have this image in my head of Jesus teaching about Pharisees and Saducees and maybe some teaching of theirs about the usage of unleavened and leavened bread and some one suddenly blurting out "the bread we forgot the bread!"

Perhaps the lesson here is not just about Bread and Yeast but

PROSEKHETE  PAY  ATTENTION ?

BE Confident Fear NOT

#metousia 300  #aristotlesethics #matthewgospel #aristotle #courage #faith

still hardly any followers ???

You've read the tags and might be wondering what Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics might have to do with the Gospel of Matthew and my ongoing #Whatjesussaid series of posts  ?

Okay Todays short quote really demos how knowing some Greek and reading "pagan" literature and philosophy is a good thing for Christians doing Bible Study and GREEK Philosophy students!

Matthew 14:27

The apostles have seen Jesus walk on water towards them and think its a ghost of spirit or something. Note that Matthew uses the word PHANTASMA in Greek in verse 26. Now Phantasma is the origin of Phantom and a Phantom is NOT just a ghost or spirit but the APPEARANCE of something that SEEMS and can be SEEN as UNREAL ODD UNUSUAL such as a man walking on water on a dark and stormy night? They really werent quite sure what they were seeing but it startled them literally "Spooked" them?!

Jesus doesnt give them a long speech about the nature of reality or miracles but just short and simply commands and encourages them

THARSEITE EGOO EIMI  MEE PHOBEITE 

Tharsoo is one of those multiple meaning words varying on context.

It could be translated here as be brave / confident / happy /
and its coupled with its opposite state PHOBEOO / PHOBOS FEAR

So where's the Aristotle link?

Are you aware of Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics and his Doctrine of Means.

Read book two and read other sections in which he discusses courage.
WHile he uses the word andreia note how he uses thrasutees to mena rashness or over confidence and a kind of BAD courage.

Yes Thrasutees also comes form Tharsoo due to the greek habit of reversing some syllables ! especially thra /  thar clusters!

Aristotle's usage confirms that a word can change meaning in different contexts or have an extra meaning that that mind require a NOTE added to the translation.

Thi ties too to 14:31 which we will dicuss next time!

Please do consider reading Aristotle's Ethics if you have not already done so if only to increase your vocabulary of words used to discuss ethics!

And read the whole second part of Matthew 14 with its theme of the power of faith.

Finally in reference in recent events don't support ISLAMOPHOBIA

Remember we share a PROPHET.

Reach out to any Muslim neighbours with RAOK random acts of kindness. Don't preach or discuss politics unless they want to! Show them they have nothing to fear and protecting them from bigots is the best way to prevent "radicalization".

Thank you for reading this.

3 days and nights

#Matthew 12:40
#prophecy #resurrection #whatjesussaid #biblestudy #newtestamentgreek

If you're debating teaching discussing or just plain quibbling about whats said about the Resurrection in the Bible you might want to take a look at this verse.

Note also the rest of the passage verses 38 - 42 in which OT figures such as Jonah the Queen of Sheba and Solomon are mentioned

Jesus summarizes the story of Jonah emphasizing he was in the belly of the whale or sea monster 3 days and 3 nights and then says

"so (likewise) will be the son of man in the heart of the earth 3 days and 3 nights

Make of that what you will or just believe but those are the exact words spoken.

matthew resumes

#health #biblestudy #newtestamentgreek
Now that I've almost after three weeks  finished spewing toxic acid waste from my sinuses and elsewhere weekend bible study posts resume.
A note to GooglePlus followers I have two other blogs (metousia and glyphika) and if you're not interested in New testament greek please refer this particular blog to someone who might benefit from it? Also note I have some new ideas for Greek mythology posts but have been unable to write up my notes due to illness.

Severe Bronchitis sinusitis rhinitis all painfully combined ...

Back to Matthew after a short break for more coughing ...

Matthew 11 25-30

25 in this time or on this occassion declared (aorist passive participle made this statement) Jesus said

I thank / acknowledge / praise  exxomologeoo middle ) to you father lord of the heaven and the earth  that you hide these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to infants

26 yes father that such was your grace/ good will

27 all things to me have been delivered by the father of me and no one knows  the son if not the father nor does one the father know if not the son and who ever / anyone to whom whenever he chooses the son reveals

28 here then towards me alllwho work hard and are heavily burdened and I will  give you release / rest  (verb anapausoo) you

29 take up my yoke / harness for ploughs upon you  ( the very poor who owned no livestock would have to yoke themselves to a plow) and learn from me that gentle I am and humble in the heart and you will find rest for your souls

30 for the yoke mine is loving and the burden mine light is.

One should remember this was an era in which iron plows were rare and plowing truly was manual labour !

The Land of Sodom and Love Wins

Oh the irony ...I have reached Matthew 11 verses 20 - 24 in which Jesus proclaims that certain pagan cities may fare better on the Day of Judgement and in which Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum  compared to Tyre, Sidon, and Sodom.

Many Old Testament prophets described up those cities as doomed places of perversion.

YET consider these words

" that if in Sodom had happened the works of power which happened in you it would still remain  today  but I say  to you that for land of Sodom more tolerable it shall be in the day of judgement than for you!"

The souls of the people of Sodom land of perversion and abuse and people who assaulted strangers instead of treating them as guests may yet receive better treatment than the occupants of good "Jewish" cities?

Many people are celebrating or wailing about a certain USA supreme court decision .

I am  not going to rehash the endless arguments for and against gay marriage.

Just remember we are all sinners whatever our sin and what the supreme virtue  is ...

Jesus to John - One

#Matthew matthew 11 4 - 6 #bible study #greeknewtestament

#Jesus had a cousin called #John. John the Baptist.
His response to a group of John's disciples was this:

I'm just going to do a loose translation since there's no unusual words or syntax in this section

"Go back Proclaim to John what things you hear and see!
blind see again cripples walk
lepers are cleansed and deaf hear
 (possibly deafmutes not merely hearing impaired no cochlear implants or hearing aids back then so most deaf people if deaf from birth  would have been mute as well and had no choice but to use some sign of sign language)
and dead raise up (see story of  synagouge officials daughter and lazarus)
and the poor receive good news.
and blessed are who ever should - its ean and an aorist passive subjunctive in Greek -  not be offended / shocked / caused to sin / angered by me !

Note what comes last in this list ! Evangelising.
 Helping and helping comes First!

We can't perform miracles but we can support having a decent low cost health care system or welfare for the disabled.

None of that The Poor are Lazy and Don't Deserve help nonsense.

FAITH AND WORKS

You may be noticed I post at different times of the day depending on what i'm doing on Sunday mornings or afternoons.

If you're reading this on Google Plus please remember if you follow the blog directly you can get an message about new posts?

Acknowledging Christ

Acknowledging Christ #matthew 10: 32 - 33 #biblestudy #gospel

32
all therefore whoever homologeoo confess / admit/ declare say plainly acknowledge / claim in me before people ... everyone who speaks for me
i will speak for in self equals same way here ? before the father of me in heavens

33

whoever and / but should deny / disown me before the people
i will disown him before the father me the in heavens

The problem nowadays seems to me to be people claiming to be Christian or to speak for Christ regardless of whether they are or not ?

But thats one of the reasons I do this blog. I'm lucky enough to have been able to study Greek and while we have no proof Christ spoke Greek  though it is possible given all the greek colonies in the area the people who translated early Aramaic  gospels or their precursors into greek were often bilingual in both languages

I hope these literal word for word translations are of some help to those who do not know Greek ?

comparative irony

How one verse serves as Irony and a great example of Adverbs used to create a comparision too!

#biblestudy #greeknewtestament #whatjesussaid

#Matthew 10: 24 - 25

not is student over the teacher nor slave over the master his

enough for student that (Note subjunctive in Greek geneetai) becomes as the teacher his and the slave as the master his

two simple comparisons

then

if the housemaster Beelzeboul is called / named (as) how much more  the householders / the residents in the houses / oikakos  his

RSV adds maligned

we know from other verses some people accused Jesus of having mastery over demons because he was a sorcerer or magician

the servants and students will be maligned like the master

these two verses also give me an excuse to discuss mallon

NOTICE WELL 

mala mallon malista 

much more most 

could also be translated as 

very rather especially 

basic adverb comparative form and superlative form

If a = such and such than how much more B = such and such

note rather than using a suffix an adverbial construction is used here and the verb implied

you could just use mallon by itself but the use of posos plus mallon makes the whole verse much stronger and expressive and adds an ironic twist !

mallon is an overlooked but very useful word you will encounter in both new testament and classical greek

Mission Statement

#whatjesussaid  # bible #christ 3gospel
#Mission  Statement #GospelofMatthew Chapter 10 1 - 10
#biblestudy #Greek #greeknewtestament

At the beginning of Matthew Chapter 10 #Jesus give his students ... yes students matheetas ... is the actual Greek Word ... EXOUSIA power / authority to HEAL.

A list of the names of the 12 is given and then more of the "Mission statement"
he sent the 12 away ordering to them saying

Note eis by itself as a preposition as well as a prefix can also mean into or onto NOT just IN or AT  ... Position and Motion !

"On the road to the nations (gentiles pagans non jews) and the city of the Samaritans not go / enter but rather towards the lost sheep of  the house of Israel
and approaching you will announce
 (literally herald  keerussoo not preach that meaning came later)
saying NEAR the realm of heaven (is)
weak heal / attend to / serve, note use of therapeuoo again,
 dead arouse / rise up / wake  egeiroo,
lepers cleanse / purify,

 (note that with hansens and other skin infections and disorders cleaning the affection areas can reduce or limit the problem getting worse and for centuries before modern antibiotics were discovered lepers were masked and bandaged  not just to hide their disfigurements but also to to try to reduce further infection so not just spiritual healing? )

 again he states  (evil) spiritual powers / entities are to be cast out,

and why

 because (free) gifts DOOREA you did receive elabete   (so) gifts give DOTE !

or to use a modern phrase Pass it on!

Note again the emphasis on HEALING rather just than preaching!

Verse 9 - 10

Not acquire gold nor silver or copper (coins) in your belt

 the greek verb used is ktaomai get obtain acquire things

also note NO POCKETS BACK THEN!
purses or coins were rolled into belts or attached to !
again eis can mean onto as well as into )

no bag for journey nor 2 tunics / under robes nor shoes / sandals nor staff

TRAVEL LIGHT

however

worthy for the worker of food / support (is)

So should modern ministers be paid for work for by donations ?

Note the use of ergatees laborer worker something like a hired hand or builders labourer  or factory hand not even a tradesman ?

There are probably people who would justify this to pay minimal wages to their workers forgetting jesus is addressing and TESTING his disciples?

Also trophee is not just food but what sustains life so maybe food and rent and clothing basic ways and means?  Health care? A few little luxuries?

That first ministry tour was rough!

He may have made them get an UNPAID internship but he didn't say future ministers and workers should never be paid just NOT ACQUIRE wealth.

However once again the most important thing he calls on them to do is

HEAL and HELP !

More on this next week ... its a long chapter

and on the topic on LABETE and  DOTE receiving and giving

I'm doing for NEW / MORE CASUAL  or PART time work

Anyone in Sydney need a Greek or Classics tutor ?

No one's using the Paypal and I have utility bills due next week!

a little help please?

Ask and you will be given

#gospelmatthew #biblestudy #Greek #newtestamentgreek

The Gospel of Matthew Chapter 7 Verses 7 - 12

Another mostly simple section with no unusual words but note the contrast to imperatives to future passive and the syntax in verses 9 and 10 and the parallelism too! Also note how Matthew uses accusative where other writers might use dative !

Verse 7 note the parallelism
a kind of rhyme prose influenced by Hebrew literature

Ask and to you will be given
Seek and you will find
Knock and it will be opened

verse 8

all for the person who aks he receives
and the seeker finds
and to for the knocker (on a door)  it will be opened

verse 9
or who is of you a man  /  or is there any man of you or even amongst you
whom asks the son of him (for implied by accusative) bread arton
not he a stone gives to him = he does not give him a stone
do not be confused by mee the negative being at the beginning

Parallelism again ! Altered syntax for Rhetorical effect!
You can do this in Greek and still be "grammatical" !

verse 10
or and / also a fish  accusative as object he will ask (for)
not a snake he will give to him ?

rhetorical question and next some irony ?

also note here how asking is linked to giving giving to others
 not just asking for your self?

(by the way folks I'm breaking up the sentences
for the benefit of anyone reading on a small screen
less scrolling across)

verse 11

if therefore you wretched beings know gifts good to give to the children of you
how much more the father of you in the heavens will give good (things) to those who ask him

But this isnt just an invitation to ask for miracles for ourselves or trust in god

the section ends with a reminder we should take action ourselves!

verse 12

all therefore so what/ when / ever you wish
that they would do to you the people
so and you (should) this is a contract verb so this may not be a conditional subjunctive ? or if conditional a condition to be fulfilled)  should do to them

this for is the law and the prophets

do good things for others of you want good things for yourself

Ask and Give !

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