Luke 11:12

Or if he shall aske an egge, will he offer him a scorpion? Luke 11:12 (KJV)

Luke 11:12 is part of a larger passage in which Jesus teaches His disciples about prayer and encourages them to persistently seek God’s provision and guidance. The verse is found within the Gospel of Luke, which aims to provide an orderly and detailed narrative of Jesus’ life, teachings, death, and resurrection. It is situated in the section known as the “Lord’s Prayer” or the “Model Prayer” (Luke 11:1‑13), where Jesus instructs His followers to approach God with confidence and persistence.

In the immediate context (Luke 11:5‑11), Jesus tells a parable about a friend who receives a visitor at midnight and goes to another friend’s house to borrow bread. The neighbor initially refuses, but because of the man’s persistence he eventually gets up and gives what is needed. This parable illustrates the importance of persistence in prayer. Following the parable, Jesus asks the rhetorical question in Luke 11:12.

The question contrasts an egg, a common food that provides nourishment, with a scorpion, a dangerous creature that can inflict harm. By asking, “Or if he shall ask an egg, will he give him a scorpion?” Jesus highlights the natural expectation that a loving father would give good rather than harmful things when asked. The implied answer is that no one would give a scorpion when an egg is requested. The analogy teaches that the Heavenly Father, like a caring parent, provides what is good and beneficial for His children when they persistently seek Him.

Application and Lessons:

• Trust in God’s goodness – The verse reminds us that God is a loving and good Father who desires to give us what is beneficial.
• Persistence in prayer – Jesus encourages us to keep seeking, asking, and knocking, assuring us that persistent prayer aligns us with God’s will and timing.
• Understanding God’s character – The passage reveals God’s attentive, caring, and wise nature, inviting us to deepen our relationship with Him.
• Discernment and prayer – The egg‑and‑scorpion analogy calls us to align our requests with God’s will, seeking discernment through prayer and Scripture.

Overall, Luke 11:12 teaches that God’s goodness and faithfulness are assured for those who persistently seek Him in prayer, inviting believers to approach Him with confidence, trust, and a desire to align with His perfect will.