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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Matthew 7:7 Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/matthew/7-7.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/16/40_Mat_07_07.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Matthew 7:7 - Ask, Seek, Knock" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/matthew/7-7.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/matthew/7-7.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/matthew/">Matthew</a> > <a href="/matthew/7.htm">Chapter 7</a> > Verse 7</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad7.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/matthew/7-6.htm" title="Matthew 7:6">◄</a> Matthew 7:7 <a href="/matthew/7-8.htm" title="Matthew 7:8">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/matthew/7.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/matthew/7.htm">New International Version</a> &#8220Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. <a href="/nlt/matthew/7.htm">New Living Translation</a> “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. <a href="/esv/matthew/7.htm">English Standard Version</a> “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. <a href="/bsb/matthew/7.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. <a href="/blb/matthew/7.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and it will be opened unto you. <a href="/kjv/matthew/7.htm">King James Bible</a> Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: <a href="/nkjv/matthew/7.htm">New King James Version</a> “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. <a href="/nasb_/matthew/7.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. <a href="/nasb/matthew/7.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. <a href="/nasb77/matthew/7.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you. <a href="/lsb/matthew/7.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. <a href="/amp/matthew/7.htm">Amplified Bible</a> “Ask and keep on asking and it will be given to you; seek and keep on seeking and you will find; knock and keep on knocking and the door will be opened to you. <a href="/csb/matthew/7.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> “Ask, and it will be given to you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened to you. <a href="/hcsb/matthew/7.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> &#8220Keep asking, and it will be given to you. Keep searching, and you will find. Keep knocking, and the door will be opened to you. <a href="/asv/matthew/7.htm">American Standard Version</a> Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: <a href="/cev/matthew/7.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Ask, and you will receive. Search, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened for you. <a href="/erv/matthew/7.htm">English Revised Version</a> Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: <a href="/gwt/matthew/7.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> "Ask, and you will receive. Search, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened for you. <a href="/gnt/matthew/7.htm">Good News Translation</a> "Ask, and you will receive; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. <a href="/isv/matthew/7.htm">International Standard Version</a> "Keep asking, and it will be given to you. Keep searching, and you will find. Keep knocking, and the door will be opened for you. <a href="/net/matthew/7.htm">NET Bible</a> "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened for you. <a href="/nheb/matthew/7.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> "Ask, and it will be given to you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened for you. <a href="/wbt/matthew/7.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and the door shall be opened to you: <a href="/wey/matthew/7.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you.<div class="vheading2">Majority Text Translations</div><a href="/msb/matthew/7.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. <a href="/web/matthew/7.htm">World English Bible</a> “Ask, and it will be given you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened for you. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/matthew/7.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you; <a href="/blb/matthew/7.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and it will be opened unto you. <a href="/ylt/matthew/7.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> 'Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you; <a href="/slt/matthew/7.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Ask, and it shall be given you. Seek, and ye shall find. Knock, and it shall be opened to you.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/matthew/7.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Ask, and it shall be given you: seek, and you shall find: knock, and it shall be opened to you. <a href="/cpdv/matthew/7.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Ask, and it shall be given to you. Seek, and you shall find. Knock, and it shall be opened to you. <a href="/nabre/matthew/7.htm">New American Bible</a> “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. <a href="/nrsvce/matthew/7.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> “Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/matthew/7.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock and it shall be opened to you. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/7.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find, knock, and it will be opened to you.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/matthew/7.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you. <a href="/godbey/matthew/7.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> <FR>Ask, and it shall be given unto you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.<Fr> <a href="/haweis/matthew/7.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: <a href="/mace/matthew/7.htm">Mace New Testament</a> Ask, and it shall be given you: seek, and ye shall find: knock, and the door shall be opened. <a href="/wey/matthew/7.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. <a href="/worrell/matthew/7.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> <FR>"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you;<Fr> <a href="/worsley/matthew/7.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> <FR>Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:<Fr> <a href="/parallel/matthew/7-7.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=1573" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/matthew/7.htm">Ask, Seek, Knock</a> 6Do not give dogs what is holy; do not throw your pearls before swine. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces. 7<a href="/greek/154.htm" title="154: Aiteite (V-PMA-2P) -- To ask, request, petition, demand. Of uncertain derivation; to ask.">Ask,</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/1325.htm" title="1325: dothēsetai (V-FIP-3S) -- To offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give.">it will be given</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: hymin (PPro-D2P) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">to you;</a> <a href="/greek/2212.htm" title="2212: zēteite (V-PMA-2P) -- To seek, search for, desire, require, demand. Of uncertain affinity; to seek; specially, to worship, or to plot.">seek,</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/2147.htm" title="2147: heurēsete (V-FIA-2P) -- A prolonged form of a primary heuro, which heureo is used for it in all the tenses except the present and imperfect to find.">you will find;</a> <a href="/greek/2925.htm" title="2925: krouete (V-PMA-2P) -- To knock, beat a door with a stick, to gain admittance. Apparently a primary verb; to rap.">knock,</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/455.htm" title="455: anoigēsetai (V-FIP-3S) -- To open. From ana and oigo; to open up.">the door will be opened</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: hymin (PPro-D2P) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">to you.</a> 8For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/luke/11-9.htm">Luke 11:9-10</a> So I tell you: Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. / For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. <a href="/james/1-5.htm">James 1:5</a> Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. <a href="/john/14-13.htm">John 14:13-14</a> And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. / If you ask Me for anything in My name, I will do it. <a href="/1_john/5-14.htm">1 John 5:14-15</a> And this is the confidence that we have before Him: If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. / And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we already possess what we have asked of Him. <a href="/mark/11-24.htm">Mark 11:24</a> Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. <a href="/john/15-7.htm">John 15:7</a> If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. <a href="/matthew/21-22.htm">Matthew 21:22</a> If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” <a href="/proverbs/8-17.htm">Proverbs 8:17</a> I love those who love me, and those who seek me early shall find me. <a href="/jeremiah/29-12.htm">Jeremiah 29:12-13</a> Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. / You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. <a href="/isaiah/55-6.htm">Isaiah 55:6</a> Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near. <a href="/psalms/37-4.htm">Psalm 37:4</a> Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart. <a href="/psalms/50-15.htm">Psalm 50:15</a> Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor Me.” <a href="/psalms/91-15.htm">Psalm 91:15</a> When he calls out to Me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble. I will deliver him and honor him. <a href="/1_chronicles/28-9.htm">1 Chronicles 28:9</a> As for you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve Him wholeheartedly and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands the intent of every thought. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever. <a href="/hebrews/11-6.htm">Hebrews 11:6</a> And without faith it is impossible to please God. For anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you:and it.<a href="/matthew/7-11.htm">Matthew 7:11</a> If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?<a href="/matthew/21-22.htm">Matthew 21:22</a> And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.<a href="/1_kings/3-5.htm">1 Kings 3:5</a> In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee.seek.<a href="/matthew/6-33.htm">Matthew 6:33</a> But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.<a href="/psalms/10-4.htm">Psalm 10:4</a> The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.<a href="/psalms/27-8.htm">Psalm 27:8</a> When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.knock.<a href="/luke/13-25.htm">Luke 13:25</a> When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/matthew/6-6.htm">Door</a> <a href="/matthew/5-20.htm">Find</a> <a href="/nahum/2-10.htm">Knock</a> <a href="/malachi/3-10.htm">Open</a> <a href="/matthew/5-2.htm">Opened</a> <a href="/matthew/5-42.htm">Request</a> <a href="/zephaniah/1-12.htm">Searching</a> <a href="/matthew/6-33.htm">Seek</a> <a href="/zechariah/3-8.htm">Sign</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/matthew/7-8.htm">Door</a> <a href="/matthew/7-8.htm">Find</a> <a href="/luke/11-9.htm">Knock</a> <a href="/matthew/7-8.htm">Open</a> <a href="/matthew/7-8.htm">Opened</a> <a href="/matthew/7-8.htm">Request</a> <a href="/matthew/7-8.htm">Searching</a> <a href="/matthew/16-4.htm">Seek</a> <a href="/matthew/7-8.htm">Sign</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 7</div>1. <a href="/matthew/7-1.htm">Do Not Judge</a> 7. <a href="/matthew/7-7.htm">Ask, Seek, Knock</a> 13. <a href="/matthew/7-13.htm">Enter through the Narrow Gate</a> 15. <a href="/matthew/7-15.htm">A Tree and Its Fruit</a> 24. <a href="/matthew/7-24.htm">The Wise and the Foolish Builders</a> 28. <a href="/matthew/7-28.htm">Jesus ends his sermon, and the people are astonished.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/7.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/matthew/7.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Ask, and it will be given to you; This phrase emphasizes the importance of prayer and reliance on God. In the cultural context of the time, asking was a common practice in teacher-student relationships, where students would ask questions to gain wisdom. This reflects the Jewish tradition of seeking understanding from God. The promise that it "will be given" underscores God's willingness to provide for His children, aligning with passages like <a href="/james/1-5.htm">James 1:5</a>, which assures believers that God gives wisdom generously to those who ask. This also connects to the nature of God as a loving Father, as seen in <a href="/matthew/7-11.htm">Matthew 7:11</a>, where Jesus explains that God gives good gifts to those who ask Him.seek, and you will find; Seeking implies a deeper level of engagement and persistence beyond merely asking. In the biblical context, seeking often involves a diligent pursuit of God's will and righteousness, as seen in <a href="/matthew/6-33.htm">Matthew 6:33</a>, where believers are encouraged to seek first the kingdom of God. The promise of finding suggests that God rewards those who earnestly seek Him, echoing <a href="/jeremiah/29-13.htm">Jeremiah 29:13</a>, where God promises that those who seek Him with all their heart will find Him. This reflects the cultural understanding of the time, where seeking was an active, intentional pursuit, often involving study and meditation on the Scriptures.knock, and the door will be opened to you. Knocking represents an even more persistent and active effort to gain access or entry, symbolizing perseverance in prayer and faith. In the historical context, doors were significant in Jewish homes, often representing access to fellowship and community. The assurance that the door "will be opened" highlights God's readiness to welcome and respond to those who persistently seek Him. This imagery is reminiscent of <a href="/revelation/3-20.htm">Revelation 3:20</a>, where Jesus stands at the door and knocks, inviting believers to open their hearts to Him. The act of knocking and the promise of an open door also reflect the hospitality culture of the time, where doors were opened to those who sought refuge or fellowship.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a> The speaker of this verse, delivering the Sermon on the Mount, which is a collection of teachings and sayings of Jesus. 2. <a href="/topical/d/disciples.htm">Disciples</a> The primary audience of Jesus' teachings, though the message is applicable to all believers. 3. <a href="/topical/s/sermon_on_the_mount.htm">Sermon on the Mount</a> The setting of this teaching, a significant discourse by Jesus found in the Gospel of Matthew, chapters 5-7.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_promise_of_provision.htm">The Promise of Provision</a> Jesus assures us that God is attentive to our needs and desires. When we ask, seek, and knock, we are engaging in a relationship with a loving Father who is eager to provide. <a href="/topical/a/active_faith.htm">Active Faith</a> The verbs "ask," "seek," and "knock" imply continuous action. Our faith should be active, persistent, and expectant, trusting in God's timing and wisdom. <a href="/topical/g/god's_generosity.htm">God's Generosity</a> This passage highlights God's generous nature. He is not reluctant to give but is waiting for us to come to Him with our requests. <a href="/topical/a/alignment_with_god's_will.htm">Alignment with God's Will</a> While God promises to answer, our requests should align with His will. Seeking His kingdom and righteousness should be our primary focus. <a href="/topical/e/encouragement_in_prayer.htm">Encouragement in Prayer</a> This verse encourages believers to be bold and persistent in prayer, knowing that God hears and responds to His children.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_matthew_7.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Matthew 7</a> <a href="/q/c._s._lewis__bio,_books,_facts.htm">What are C. S. Lewis's biography, books, and facts?</a> <a href="/q/can_we_get_what_we_pray_for.htm">Can we truly receive anything we pray for?</a> <a href="/q/does_god_answer_every_prayer.htm">Does God answer all prayers? (Matthew 7:7-8 vs. 1 John 5:14-15)</a> <a href="/q/what_did_jesus_mean_by_'ask,_receive'.htm">What did Jesus mean by "Ask and You Shall Receive"?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/matthew/7.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(7) Ask, and it shall be given.--The transition is again abrupt, and suggests the idea that some links are missing. The latent sequence of thought would seem to be this, "If the work of reforming others and ourselves," men might say, "is so difficult, how shall we dare to enter on it? Where shall we find the courage and the wisdom which we need?" And the answer is, In prayer for those gifts.Here, once more, the words are absolute and unqualified, and yet are clearly limited by implied conditions. It is assumed (1) that we ask for good gifts--for "bread" and not for a "stone," for a "fish" and not for a "serpent;" and (2) that we ask, as Christ has taught us, in His name and according to His spirit. Otherwise we may ask and receive not, because we ask amiss.The three words imply distinct degrees of intensity. There is the "asking" in the spoken words of prayer, the "seeking" in the efforts and labours which are acted prayers, the "knocking" at the gate with the urgent importunity which claims admission into our Father's house.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/7.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verses 7-11. - Ask, and it shall be given you, etc. Parallel passage: <a href="/luke/11-9.htm">Luke 11:9-13</a>. Nearly verbally identical, but in the son's request, reads "egg" and "scorpion" for "bread" and "stone," and reverses the order of the sentences. In Luke the verses are closely connected ("and I say unto you") with the parable of the friend at midnight, which itself immediately follows the Lord's Prayer. It seems probable that, as with the Lord's Prayer (ch. 6:9-13, note), so with these verses, the original position is given in Luke; yet, as also with the Lord's Prayer, Matthew's form of the individual clauses may be the more original (cf. ver. 11, note). With the general promise contained in these verses, cf. <a href="/mark/11-24.htm">Mark 11:24</a>. The connexion with the preceding verse is probably not (1) pray for others who have no apparent capacity for receiving the truths of the gospel (Weiss); nor (2) in answer to the question suggested by ver. 6, if this be the measure of the Divine dealings, what bounties can sinners expect at God's hands? Let them, nevertheless, ask of God, and it shall be given them (cf. Alford); but (3) in close connexion with the whole subject from vers. 1-6, you feel conscious of want of wisdom for the true and loving judgment of others without censoriousness - ask for this special grace. With this connexion ver. 12 follows on naturally; i.e. the key to the right treatment of others may be found in one's own feelings and wishes; from the perception of what we desire to receive from others we may learn what others ought to receive from us. Verse 7. - Ask... seek... knock. Gradation in urgency. Further, the three clauses think of the Giver, the sphere in which the gift lies, the obstacles in the way of obtaining it. <a href="/commentaries/matthew/7-7.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>Ask Αἰτεῖτε (Aiteite) Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_154.htm">Strong's 154: </a> To ask, request, petition, demand. Of uncertain derivation; to ask. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. it will be given δοθήσεται (dothēsetai) Verb - Future Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1325.htm">Strong's 1325: </a> To offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give. to you; ὑμῖν (hymin) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. seek ζητεῖτε (zēteite) Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2212.htm">Strong's 2212: </a> To seek, search for, desire, require, demand. Of uncertain affinity; to seek; specially, to worship, or to plot. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. you will find; εὑρήσετε (heurēsete) Verb - Future Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2147.htm">Strong's 2147: </a> A prolonged form of a primary heuro, which heureo is used for it in all the tenses except the present and imperfect to find. knock κρούετε (krouete) Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2925.htm">Strong's 2925: </a> To knock, beat a door with a stick, to gain admittance. Apparently a primary verb; to rap. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. [the door] will be opened ἀνοιγήσεται (anoigēsetai) Verb - Future Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_455.htm">Strong's 455: </a> To open. From ana and oigo; to open up. to you. ὑμῖν (hymin) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/7-7.htm">Matthew 7:7 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/matthew/7-7.htm">Matthew 7:7 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/matthew/7-7.htm">Matthew 7:7 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/matthew/7-7.htm">Matthew 7:7 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/matthew/7-7.htm">Matthew 7:7 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/7-7.htm">Matthew 7:7 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/7-7.htm">Matthew 7:7 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/7-7.htm">Matthew 7:7 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/7-7.htm">Matthew 7:7 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/matthew/7-7.htm">Matthew 7:7 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/matthew/7-7.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 7:7 Ask and it will be given you (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/7-6.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 7:6"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 7:6" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/7-8.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 7:8"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 7:8" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>