Luke 11:12 – “Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?”
Extended Explanation
In this verse, Jesus continues to make a powerful comparison to show God’s goodness and faithfulness in answering prayer. He uses the image of a child asking for an egg, a simple and nourishing food. No loving father would respond by giving his child a scorpion, which is dangerous and harmful. The implied answer is obvious: a good father gives what is beneficial, not harmful.
Jesus is driving home the point that if human fathers, despite their flaws, know how to give good things to their children, then God, who is perfect and loving, will give only what is good to His children. This teaching encourages believers to trust God, even when they may not immediately understand His answers to their prayers.
Historical Context
In the culture of Jesus’ time, eggs were considered a common and important part of a meal. They symbolized nourishment and sustenance. On the other hand, scorpions were dangerous creatures common in the region. Some scorpions could curl into a ball and resemble something small like an egg, making the imagery even more striking. The idea of a father tricking his child with something harmful would have been seen as absurd and even cruel.
Family life in first-century Jewish culture emphasized the responsibility of parents to provide for their children. A father who gave harmful things instead of good ones would be seen as unthinkable. Jesus draws on this strong cultural understanding of fatherly care to emphasize how much more God, as a perfect Father, will provide for His children.
Theological Implications
This verse reveals an essential truth about God’s nature: He is trustworthy and good. When believers come to Him in prayer, they can be confident that He will not give them something harmful. Even when the answer isn’t what they expected, it will always be rooted in His wisdom and love.
The comparison also addresses a common fear that many believers experience: the fear that God’s plan for their lives may be harmful or painful. Jesus reassures them that God’s plans may involve discipline, growth, or waiting, but they will never be harmful or destructive. God’s gifts are always for the believer’s good, even when they come in unexpected forms (Romans 8:28).
Literary Analysis
This verse continues the rhetorical structure of the passage, where Jesus asks questions with obvious answers to make His point. The contrast between an egg (a symbol of nourishment) and a scorpion (a symbol of danger) creates a vivid image that sticks in the mind of the listener. The absurdity of a father giving a scorpion to his child highlights the reliability of God’s goodness.
The structure of the passage builds toward the main point in the following verse (Luke 11:13), where Jesus explains that if human fathers know how to give good gifts, God will certainly give the Holy Spirit to those who ask.
Biblical Cross-References
- Matthew 7:9-11 – A parallel passage that emphasizes God’s willingness to give good gifts to those who ask Him.
- James 1:17 – “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights.”
- Romans 8:32 – “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?”
- Jeremiah 29:11 – God’s plans are for good, not for harm, offering hope and a future to those who trust Him.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For Christians today, this verse is a reminder to trust God completely, even when life is confusing or difficult. It assures believers that God’s gifts are always good, even if they don’t seem that way at first. Sometimes, what we think is a “scorpion” in our lives—a challenge or trial—might actually be a form of God’s good gift, designed to grow our faith and character.
This verse also challenges believers to view prayer as an opportunity to receive God’s best, rather than a way to get everything they want. God doesn’t give “scorpions,” but He also doesn’t give things that would ultimately harm us, even if we think we want them. Trusting in God’s wisdom means accepting that His answers to prayer are always better than our desires.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
God’s love is the foundation of this teaching. Just as a loving father would never give a harmful gift to his child, God will never give His children something that would destroy or harm them. His love is shown in the way He answers prayers—not always with what we want, but always with what we need for our spiritual growth and well-being.
This verse reminds us that God’s love is protective and nurturing. When we ask for things that might harm us spiritually, God in His love may say “no” or “wait.” But His “no” is not rejection—it’s protection.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
Jesus is the ultimate proof of God’s good gifts. In John 3:16, we see that God gave His only Son so that we could have eternal life. If God was willing to give such a costly gift, then believers can trust Him to give them what they need in all other areas of life.
Jesus also showed us how to trust the Father’s goodness, even in difficult circumstances. In the Garden of Gethsemane, He prayed for God’s will to be done, even though it meant suffering (Matthew 26:39). His trust in the Father’s plan led to the ultimate good—salvation for humanity.
Additionally, Jesus’ role as the mediator between God and humanity ensures that our prayers are heard and answered according to God’s perfect will (Hebrews 7:25). Because of Jesus, believers can approach God with confidence, knowing that they will receive good things.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- Have you ever felt like God was giving you a “scorpion” when you asked for something good? How did you handle it, and what did you learn from the experience?
- What does this verse teach you about trusting God’s wisdom when His answers don’t match your expectations?
- How does knowing that God will never give you anything harmful change the way you approach Him in prayer?
- In what ways have you seen God turn challenges or difficulties into blessings in your life?
- How does Jesus’ example of trusting the Father’s plan inspire you to have greater faith in God’s goodness?