Luke 11:12

Luke 11:12, in plain English

Or if your child asks for an egg, would you give them a scorpion? Of course not. Jesus keeps stacking examples because He really wants this to sink in: God is not out to trick you.

Why it's here

A curled-up scorpion actually looks a bit like an egg, which makes the image even more vivid. The point is clear: God doesn't disguise harm as blessing.

Who's speaking

Jesus adds another example to drive home the same truth: you can trust what God gives you.

Where it sits in the story

With each illustration, Jesus builds more confidence in God's character. He's dismantling every fear you might have that God is holding out on you or setting you up for disappointment.

The scholarly reading

The second analogy pairs an egg with a scorpion, which when curled resembles an egg. Again, the contrast is between a nourishing gift and something dangerous, reinforcing the absurdity of attributing malice to God.

Language and setting

A pale scorpion tucked into itself could visually resemble an egg. Jesus stacks these examples to make the argument airtight: no parent deliberately harms their child.

Voice

Jesus continues His rhetorical argument about God's trustworthy character as Father.

Significance

A second vivid illustration reinforces the first. Jesus is building an overwhelming case that God can be trusted to give good things to those who ask.

10For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

11What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead?

12Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?

13So if you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”

14One day Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute. And when the demon was gone, the man who had been mute spoke. The crowds were amazed,

Read all of Luke 11 — The disciples ask for a prayer, and Jesus gives them words that have echoed for two thousand years. Then he warns against empty religion.