Luke 11:12

KJV

Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?

KJV (with Strong's)

Or {G2228}{G2532} if {G1437} he shall ask {G154} an egg {G5609}, will he offer {G3361}{G1929} him {G846} a scorpion {G4651}?

Complete Jewish Bible

or if he asked for an egg would give him a scorpion?

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

Or if he shall ask an egg, will he give him a scorpion?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 11:12 presents a profound rhetorical question from Jesus, serving as a powerful illustration of God the Father's inherently benevolent and trustworthy nature, particularly in the context of prayer. By contrasting the absurdity of an earthly father giving a harmful scorpion instead of a nourishing egg, Jesus assures His disciples that their Heavenly Father is infinitely more willing and able to bestow good gifts upon those who ask Him, never deceiving or harming His children. This verse underscores the foundational truth of God's perfect goodness and His unwavering desire to bless His people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within Jesus' extended teaching on prayer in [Luke 11](/luke/11 "Luke 11 - Jesus Teaches About Prayer"). It immediately follows the disciples' request for Jesus to teach them to pray, to which He responds with the model prayer, often known as [the Lord's Prayer](/luke/11-1-4 "Luke 11:1-4 - The Lord's Prayer"). Following this, Jesus tells the parable of the persistent friend in [Luke 11:5-8](/luke/11-5-8 "Luke 11:5-8 - The Parable of the Persistent Friend"), emphasizing the importance of perseverance in prayer. Luke 11:12 then forms part of a climactic series of rhetorical questions in [Luke 11:9-13](/luke/11-9-13 "Luke 11:9-13 - Ask, Seek, Knock"), which includes the famous "ask, seek, knock" principle. The progression moves from a human friend's reluctant generosity to the Heavenly Father's eager benevolence, culminating in the promise of the Holy Spirit. This specific teaching has a close parallel in [Matthew 7:9-11](/matthew/7-9-11 "Matthew 7:9-11 - God's Goodness to His Children"), where the examples are a stone for bread and a serpent for a fish, reinforcing its importance in Jesus' core message.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Galilee, scorpions were a common and dangerous presence, particularly in rocky and arid regions. Their sting was painful and could be lethal, making them a widely recognized symbol of harm and danger. Eggs, on the other hand, represented a basic, wholesome, and accessible source of protein and nourishment, a staple food in the diet of the common people. The imagery Jesus employs would have been immediately understood by His audience: no loving parent would intentionally offer something deadly when a child requests something life-sustaining. This stark contrast draws upon the universal human experience of parental care, highlighting the absurdity of a father giving a harmful object in place of a beneficial one. The cultural understanding of hospitality and parental responsibility further amplifies the point, as providing for one's children was a fundamental duty and a mark of good character.
* **Key Themes:** Luke 11:12 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Jesus' teaching. The most prominent is **God's Benevolence and Goodness**, asserting that God's nature is fundamentally good and that He delights in giving good gifts to His children. This counters any notion of God as a stingy or malicious deity. Related to this is the theme of **Divine Generosity**, emphasizing that God is not only good but also abundantly generous, far surpassing human capacity for giving. The verse also builds **Assurance in Prayer**, encouraging believers to approach God with unwavering confidence, knowing that their Heavenly Father desires to bless them and provide for their true needs, spiritual and physical. Finally, it reinforces the theme of **Trust in God's Character**, inviting disciples to deepen their reliance on God's perfect fatherly care, recognizing that if imperfect human fathers know how to give good gifts, how much more will the perfect Heavenly Father! This theme is further developed in [Luke 11:13](/luke/11-13 "Luke 11:13 - The Gift of the Holy Spirit"), which identifies the Holy Spirit as the ultimate good gift.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **ask (Greek, _aitéō'_):** This verb signifies a general request, to beg, call for, or require. In the context of prayer, it implies a direct, earnest petition. Jesus uses this common word to emphasize the simple act of making one's needs known to God, suggesting that God is approachable and responsive to the genuine desires of His children.
* **offer (Greek, _epidídōmi'_):** Meaning "to give over (by hand or surrender)," this word highlights the act of presenting something. The rhetorical question uses this term to underscore the deliberate nature of giving. The absurdity lies in the idea of a father *deliberately* presenting something harmful when asked for something good.
* **scorpion (Greek, _skorpíos'_):** This refers to the venomous arachnid, known for its painful and sometimes deadly sting. Its inclusion creates a vivid and culturally resonant image of danger and malice. The contrast with an "egg" (Greek, _ōón_), a symbol of life and nourishment, is central to the verse's rhetorical power, highlighting the extreme opposite of what a loving parent would provide.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Or if he shall ask an egg":** This clause sets up the hypothetical scenario. It speaks to a child's simple, legitimate request for a basic, nourishing item. The "egg" represents a fundamental, beneficial need, something a parent would naturally provide. The "if" (Greek, _eán_) introduces a condition that is entirely reasonable and expected within a family dynamic.
* **"will he offer him a scorpion?":** This is the core of the rhetorical question, designed to elicit an emphatic "No!" The implied answer is so self-evident that it needs no verbal confirmation. The "scorpion" stands in stark contrast to the "egg," representing something harmful, dangerous, and utterly inappropriate for a loving parent to give. The question highlights the perverse and unnatural nature of such an act, thereby emphasizing the perfect, benevolent character of God by contrast.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 11:12 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question**, which is not meant to be answered aloud but to provoke thought and affirm an obvious truth. By asking, "will he offer him a scorpion?", Jesus compels His listeners to acknowledge the inherent goodness of even imperfect human fathers, thereby leading them to an inescapable conclusion about the infinitely greater goodness of God. Closely related is **Contrast**, specifically a stark juxtaposition between "egg" and "scorpion." This antithesis vividly illustrates the difference between good and harm, nourishment and poison, highlighting the absurdity of fearing that God would give anything but good. Finally, there is an element of **Hyperbole** in the implied scenario. While a parent might occasionally be imperfect or unable to provide, the idea of deliberately giving a dangerous creature instead of food is an exaggeration that underscores the absolute impossibility of such an act from a loving Heavenly Father. These devices combine to make Jesus' teaching memorable, impactful, and deeply reassuring.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse is a cornerstone for understanding God's character as a loving and benevolent Father. It assures believers that God is not a capricious or malevolent deity, but one who delights in giving good gifts to His children. The analogy of an earthly father, imperfect as he may be, serving as a baseline for understanding divine generosity, elevates our perception of God's perfect nature. It implies that if human love, flawed as it is, understands the principle of giving good things, then divine love, which is perfect, will always act in our ultimate good, never offering harm when we seek blessing. This foundational truth empowers confident prayer, knowing that God's responses are always rooted in His wisdom and goodness, even if they differ from our specific requests.

* [Matthew 7:11](/matthew/7-11 "Matthew 7:11 - God Gives Good Gifts")
* [Psalm 84:11](/psalms/84-11 "Psalm 84:11 - The Lord Gives Grace and Glory")
* [James 1:17](/james/1-17 "James 1:17 - Every Good and Perfect Gift")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 11:12 offers profound comfort and practical guidance for our prayer lives. It encourages us to approach God with unwavering faith and boldness, shedding any fear that He might deny us good things or, worse, give us something harmful. This verse reminds us that God's heart toward us is always good, always for our flourishing. Therefore, we can pour out our hearts to Him with confidence, knowing that He listens with a Father's love. It also calls us to trust God's wisdom implicitly. While we may ask for an "egg," God, in His infinite wisdom, might discern that a different "good gift" is truly what we need, or that the "egg" we desire is not ultimately for our best. His provision is always perfect, always benevolent, and always suited to our deepest needs, even when it doesn't align with our immediate expectations. This understanding frees us from anxiety in prayer, allowing us to rest in His perfect care.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus' rhetorical question challenge any lingering doubts you might have about God's goodness or His intentions towards you in prayer?**
* **In what ways might you be tempted to project imperfect human fatherhood onto your understanding of God the Father? How does this verse correct that projection?**
* **How does the assurance of God's benevolent nature encourage you to pray with greater confidence and persistence, even when answers are not immediately apparent?**

### FAQ

**Why does Jesus use the specific examples of an egg and a scorpion?**

Answer: Jesus uses these examples because they represent a stark and culturally relevant contrast. An egg was a common, nourishing food item, symbolizing basic sustenance and good provision. A scorpion, on the other hand, was a dangerous, venomous creature prevalent in the region, symbolizing harm and death. The absurdity of a loving parent giving a child a scorpion when asked for an egg makes the point undeniable: if even imperfect human parents understand the principle of giving good gifts, how much more will the perfect Heavenly Father give good things to His children? This vivid imagery makes the teaching memorable and impactful, reinforcing God's benevolent character.

**How does this verse relate to instances where prayers seem to go unanswered or when difficult circumstances arise?**

Answer: Luke 11:12 primarily assures us of God's *character* and *intentions*, not necessarily that He will always grant our specific requests in the way we expect. The core message is that God is *good* and will never give us something harmful when we ask for something good. When prayers seem unanswered, or when we face hardship, this verse reminds us that God's ultimate purpose is always our good, even if His answer is "no," "wait," or something different than what we envisioned. His wisdom surpasses ours, and He knows what is truly best for us, often providing spiritual blessings (like [the Holy Spirit, as mentioned in Luke 11:13](/luke/11-13 "Luke 11:13 - The Gift of the Holy Spirit")) or shaping our character through trials, which are ultimately good gifts from a loving Father ([Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - All Things Work for Good")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 11:12 finds its ultimate fulfillment and clearest demonstration in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jesus, as the perfect Son, perfectly reveals the Father's good and generous heart. He is the embodiment of God's benevolent provision, showing us through His life, ministry, and ultimate sacrifice that God truly gives good gifts. The very act of God giving His only Son ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World")) is the supreme example of a Father giving the best and most precious gift, far beyond any "egg" or earthly provision. Through Christ, we are adopted into God's family, gaining the privilege to approach God as "Abba, Father" ([Romans 8:15](/romans/8-15 "Romans 8:15 - Spirit of Adoption")), confident that He hears and responds with perfect love. Moreover, the "good gift" promised in the very next verse, the Holy Spirit ([Luke 11:13](/luke/11-13 "Luke 11:13 - The Gift of the Holy Spirit")), is poured out upon believers because of Christ's finished work. Thus, Jesus not only teaches about the Father's goodness but also makes it possible for us to receive the greatest gifts from Him, including the indwelling Spirit who guides us into all truth and empowers our lives ([John 14:26](/john/14-26 "John 14:26 - The Helper, the Holy Spirit")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Ezekiel 2:6

¶ And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns [be] with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they [be] a rebellious house.

Revelation 9:10

And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and their power [was] to hurt men five months.

Luke 10:19

Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.