Matthew’s and Luke’s discussions of prayer start the same way but then diverge dramatically. Where Matthew promises “good things” (7:11) to those who pray, Luke pledges “a holy spirit” (11:13)—something much less tangible and thus less verifiable. Significantly, Matthew concludes with the Golden Rule, suggesting that these “good things”—the answers to prayer—come from our fellow men, not from God directly.

Matthew 7:7–12

Luke 11:9–13

7Ask and you will receive;

seek and you will find;

knock and it will be opened to you.

9Ask and you will receive;

seek and you will find;

knock and it will be opened to you.

8For everyone who asks receives,

and he who seeks finds,

and to him who knock

it will be opened.

10For everyone who asks receives,

and he who seeks finds,

and to him who knocks

it will be opened.

9Or what man among you,

if his son asks him for bread

will give him a stone?

10Or if he asks for a fish

will give him a serpent?

11What father among you

if his son asks for a fish

instead of a fish

will give him a serpent?

12Or if he asks for an egg

will give him a scorpion?

11If you then, who are evil,

know (how) to give good gifts

to your children, how much more

will your Father who is in heaven

give good things

to those asking him!

13If you then who are evil,

know (how) to give good gifts

to your children, how much more

will your heavenly Father

give a holy spirit

to those asking him!

12Hence, whatever you wish

that men would do to you,

thus also you do to them.