What is the meaning of Luke 11:12? Immediate context - Jesus is teaching His disciples how to pray (Luke 11:1–4) and immediately offers an illustration about asking and receiving (vv. 5–13). - Just before our verse He says, “What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead of a fish?” (Luke 11:11). The egg/scorpion comparison parallels that fish/snake picture. - The flow points to one clear truth: God responds generously and appropriately to His children’s requests, never cruelly or deceptively (cf. Matthew 7:9–11). The request: an egg - An egg in the first-century home was ordinary, nourishing, safe, and suitable for a child. - Asking for an egg pictures a legitimate, reasonable need. It is neither extravagant nor harmful. - Psalm 84:11 reminds us that “The LORD bestows grace and glory; no good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.” An egg represents that “good thing.” The contrast: a scorpion - A scorpion was deadly, hiding among rocks, able to curl its pale body into an oval shape that could resemble an egg. - By pairing these two objects, Jesus shows the absurdity of a loving father swapping life for death, provision for poison. - Isaiah 49:15 drives the point home: “Can a woman forget her nursing child…? Even if she could forget, I will not forget you.” God never mistakes what is good for what is harmful. God’s character revealed - Verse 13 concludes, “If you then, being 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!” - The “how much more” argument rests on God’s perfect goodness; He cannot act out of character (James 1:17). - Romans 8:32 affirms the same logic: He who gave His own Son will certainly not withhold any lesser blessing that is truly good. Application for prayer - Pray confidently: the Father never substitutes a scorpion for an egg. - Pray expectantly: if the answer differs from the request, it is because the Father knows what is truly nourishing. - Pray persistently, following the pattern of Luke 11:8–10, assured that every response flows from unchanging love. summary Luke 11:12 underscores a simple, comforting reality: God always gives His children what is genuinely good and life-giving. Just as no caring human father would deceive his hungry child with something deadly, our heavenly Father will never mock or injure us when we come to Him. Therefore, we approach Him with trust, confidence, and persistence, certain that He delights to supply every true need according to His perfect wisdom and steadfast love. |
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