Luke 11:12
New International Version
Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?

New Living Translation
Or if they ask for an egg, do you give them a scorpion? Of course not!

English Standard Version
or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?

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

Berean Literal Bible
Or also if he will ask for an egg, will he give to him a scorpion?

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

New King James Version
Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?

New American Standard Bible
Or he will even ask for an egg, and his father will give him a scorpion?

NASB 1995
“Or if he is asked for an egg, he will not give him a scorpion, will he?

NASB 1977
“Or if he is asked for an egg, he will not give him a scorpion, will he?

Legacy Standard Bible
Or, if his son asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?

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

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

Holman Christian 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?

Contemporary English Version
Which one of you would give your child a scorpion if the child asked for an egg?

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

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Or if your child asks you for an egg, would you give him a scorpion?

Good News Translation
Or would you give him a scorpion when he asks for an egg?

International Standard Version
Or if he asks for an egg, would he give him a scorpion?

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

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

New Heart English Bible
Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?

Webster's Bible Translation
Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?

Weymouth New Testament
or if he asks for an egg, will offer him a scorpion?

World English Bible
Or if he asks for an egg, he won’t give him a scorpion, will he?
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And [if] he may ask [for] an egg, will present to him a scorpion?

Berean Literal Bible
Or also if he will ask for an egg, will he give to him a scorpion?

Young's Literal Translation
and if he may ask an egg, will he present to him a scorpion?

Smith's Literal Translation
Or also if he ask an egg, he will not give him a scorpion.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Or if he shall ask an egg, will he reach him a scorpion?

Catholic Public Domain Version
Or if he will ask for an egg, he would offer to him a scorpion?

New American Bible
Or hand him a scorpion when he asks for an egg?

New Revised Standard Version
Or if the child asks for an egg, will give a scorpion?
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And if he should ask him for an egg, why, would he hand him a scorpion?

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“And if he would ask of him an egg, would give him a scorpion?”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Or if he ask an egg, will he give him a scorpion?

Godbey New Testament
Or indeed shall he ask an egg, will he give him a scorpion?

Haweis New Testament
or if he ask also an egg, will he give him a scorpion?

Mace New Testament
or instead of an egg will he offer him a scorpion?

Weymouth New Testament
or if he asks for an egg, will offer him a scorpion?

Worrell New Testament
or if he shall ask an egg, will he give him a scorpion?

Worsley New Testament
will he give him a scorpion?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Ask, Seek, Knock
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!”…

Cross References
Matthew 7:9-11
Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? / Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? / So if you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things 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, with whom there is no change or shifting shadow.

Psalm 84:11
For the LORD God is a sun and a shield; the LORD gives grace and glory; He withholds no good thing from those who walk with integrity.

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, freely give us all things?

Isaiah 49:15
“Can a woman forget her nursing child, or lack compassion for the son of her womb? Even if she could forget, I will not forget you!

Matthew 6:8
Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.

Proverbs 28:5
Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD comprehend fully.

1 John 3:1
Behold what manner of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God. And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him.

Psalm 103:13
As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.

Isaiah 65:24
Even before they call, I will answer, and while they are still speaking, I will hear.

John 16:23-24
In that day you will no longer ask Me anything. Truly, truly, I tell you, whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you. / Until now you have not asked for anything in My name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.

Hebrews 12:9-10
Furthermore, we have all had earthly fathers who disciplined us, and we respected them. Should we not much more submit to the Father of our spirits and live? / Our fathers disciplined us for a short time as they thought best, but God disciplines us for our good, so that we may share in His holiness.

Psalm 34:10
Young lions go lacking and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.

1 Peter 5:7
Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.

Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope.


Treasury of Scripture

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

offer.

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.

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.

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Egg Offer Present Scorpion Won't
Luke 11
1. Jesus teaches us to pray, and that instantly;
11. assuring us that God will give all good things to those who ask him.
14. He, casting out a demon, rebukes the blasphemous Pharisees;
27. and shows who are blessed;
29. preaches to the people;
37. and reprimands the outward show of holiness.














Or if he asks
This phrase emphasizes the act of requesting, which in the context of prayer, signifies a humble approach to God. The Greek word for "asks" is "aiteo," which implies a sense of earnestness and need. In the cultural context of the time, asking was a common practice in teacher-student relationships, where the student would seek wisdom or resources from the teacher. This reflects our relationship with God, where we are encouraged to approach Him with our needs and desires, trusting in His wisdom and provision.

for an egg
The egg symbolizes something good and nourishing. In the ancient world, eggs were a common food item, representing sustenance and life. The egg, in this context, can be seen as a metaphor for the good gifts that God provides to His children. It is a simple yet profound reminder of God's provision for our basic needs, as well as His desire to give us what is beneficial for our spiritual growth.

will he offer him a scorpion?
The scorpion, in contrast to the egg, represents danger and harm. In the Middle Eastern context, scorpions were known for their venomous sting and were a symbol of evil or malice. The rhetorical question posed here highlights the absurdity of a loving father giving something harmful when a child asks for something good. This illustrates the nature of God as a loving Father who desires to give good gifts to His children, not to harm them. It reassures believers of God's benevolent character and His commitment to our well-being.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Or
(ē)
Conjunction
Strong's 2228: Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than.

[if] he asks for
αἰτήσει (aitēsei)
Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 154: To ask, request, petition, demand. Of uncertain derivation; to ask.

an egg,
ᾠόν (ōon)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5609: An egg. Apparently a primary word; an 'egg'.

will give
ἐπιδώσει (epidōsei)
Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1929: (a) trans: I hand in, give up, (b) intrans: I give way (to the wind). From epi and didomi; to give over.

him
αὐτῷ (autō)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

a scorpion?
σκορπίον (skorpion)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4651: A scorpion. Probably from an obsolete skerpo; a 'scorpion'.


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NT Gospels: Luke 11:12 Or if he asks for an egg (Luke Lu Lk)
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