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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>Luke 11:9 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.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/luke/11-9.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/19/42_Luk_11_09.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Luke 11:9 - Ask, Seek, Knock" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="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." /><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/luke/11-9.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/luke/11-9.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="/luke/">Luke</a> > <a href="/luke/11.htm">Chapter 11</a> > Verse 9</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="/ad9.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="/luke/11-8.htm" title="Luke 11:8">◄</a> Luke 11:9 <a href="/luke/11-10.htm" title="Luke 11:10">►</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/luke/11.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/luke/11.htm">New International Version</a> &#8220So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. <a href="/nlt/luke/11.htm">New Living Translation</a> “And so I tell you, 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/luke/11.htm">English Standard Version</a> And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. <a href="/bsb/luke/11.htm">Berean Standard Bible</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. <a href="/blb/luke/11.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and it will be opened to you. <a href="/kjv/luke/11.htm">King James Bible</a> And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. <a href="/nkjv/luke/11.htm">New King James Version</a> “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. <a href="/nasb_/luke/11.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. <a href="/nasb/luke/11.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. <a href="/nasb77/luke/11.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “And I say to you, ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you. <a href="/lsb/luke/11.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. <a href="/amp/luke/11.htm">Amplified Bible</a> “So I say to you, 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/luke/11.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> “So I say to you, 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/luke/11.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> &#8220So I say to you, keep 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/luke/11.htm">American Standard Version</a> And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. <a href="/cev/luke/11.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> So I tell you to ask and you will receive, search and you will find, knock and the door will be opened for you. <a href="/erv/luke/11.htm">English Revised Version</a> And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. <a href="/gwt/luke/11.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> "So I tell you to ask, and you will receive. Search, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened for you. <a href="/gnt/luke/11.htm">Good News Translation</a> And so I say to you: Ask, and you will receive; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. <a href="/isv/luke/11.htm">International Standard Version</a> So I say to you: Keep asking, and it will be given you. Keep searching, and you will find. Keep knocking, and the door will be opened for you, <a href="/msb/luke/11.htm">Majority Standard Bible</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. <a href="/net/luke/11.htm">NET Bible</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 for you. <a href="/nheb/luke/11.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> "I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened to you. <a href="/wbt/luke/11.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And I say to you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and the door shall be opened to you. <a href="/wey/luke/11.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "So I say to you, 'Ask, and what you ask for shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and the door shall be opened to you.' <a href="/web/luke/11.htm">World English Bible</a> “I tell you, keep asking, and it will be given you. Keep seeking, and you will find. Keep knocking, and it will be opened to you. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/luke/11.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you; <a href="/blb/luke/11.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and it will be opened to you. <a href="/ylt/luke/11.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and I say to you, Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you; <a href="/slt/luke/11.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And I say to you, 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/luke/11.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And I say to you, Ask, and it shall be given you: seek, and you shall find: knock, and it shall be opened to you. <a href="/cpdv/luke/11.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And so I say to you: Ask, and it shall be given to you. Seek, and you shall find. Knock, and it shall be opened to you. <a href="/nabre/luke/11.htm">New American Bible</a> “And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. <a href="/nrsvce/luke/11.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> “So I say to you, 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/luke/11.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> I say to you also, 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/luke/11.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> “I am also saying to you, Ask and it shall be given to you, seek and you shall find, knock and it will be opened to you.”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/luke/11.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> And I say to you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you. <a href="/godbey/luke/11.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> <FR>And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given unto you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.<Fr> <a href="/haweis/luke/11.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. <a href="/mace/luke/11.htm">Mace New Testament</a> I tell you likewise, ask, and it shall be given: seek, and ye shall find: knock, and the door shall be opened. <a href="/wey/luke/11.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "So I say to you, 'Ask, and what you ask for shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and the door shall be opened to you.' <a href="/worrell/luke/11.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> <FR>And I say to you, ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you:<Fr> <a href="/worsley/luke/11.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> <FR>And <Fr>so<FR> I tell you, Ask and it shall be given you, seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you.<Fr> <a href="/parallel/luke/11-9.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/3-5_0Jtd9Lc?start=4527" 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/luke/11.htm">Ask, Seek, Knock</a> …8I tell you, even though he will not get up to provide for him because of his friendship, yet because of the man’s persistence, he will get up and give him as much as he needs. 9<a href="/greek/2504.htm" title="2504: Kagō (PPro-N1S) -- To also, I too, but I. From kai and ego; so also the dative case kamoi, and accusative case kame and I, me.">So I</a> <a href="/greek/3004.htm" title="3004: legō (V-PIA-1S) -- (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. ">tell</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: hymin (PPro-D2P) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">you:</a> <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> 10For 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="/matthew/7-7.htm">Matthew 7:7-8</a> 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="/matthew/21-22.htm">Matthew 21:22</a> If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” <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="/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="/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/18-19.htm">Matthew 18:19</a> Again, I tell you truly that if two of you on the earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by My Father in heaven. <a href="/philippians/4-6.htm">Philippians 4:6</a> Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. <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. <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="/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="/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="/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="/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.”</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And I say to you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you.I say.<a href="/luke/13-24.htm">Luke 13:24</a> Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.<a href="/matthew/6-29.htm">Matthew 6:29</a> And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.<a href="/matthew/21-31.htm">Matthew 21:31</a> Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.Ask.<a href="/psalms/50-15.htm">Psalm 50:15</a> And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.<a href="/psalms/118-5.htm">Psalm 118:5</a> I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place.<a href="/jeremiah/33-3.htm">Jeremiah 33:3</a> Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.seek.<a href="/luke/13-24.htm">Luke 13:24</a> Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.<a href="/psalms/27-4.htm">Psalm 27:4,8</a> One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple… <a href="/psalms/34-4.htm">Psalm 34:4,10</a> I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears… 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:<a href="/2_corinthians/6-2.htm">2 Corinthians 6:2</a> (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/luke/11-7.htm">Door</a> <a href="/luke/9-12.htm">Find</a> <a href="/matthew/7-7.htm">Knock</a> <a href="/matthew/7-8.htm">Knocking</a> <a href="/luke/8-17.htm">Open</a> <a href="/luke/10-38.htm">Opened</a> <a href="/matthew/7-11.htm">Requests</a> <a href="/luke/4-42.htm">Searching</a> <a href="/luke/6-28.htm">Seek</a> <a href="/luke/9-9.htm">Seeking</a> <a href="/luke/3-3.htm">Sign</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/luke/11-10.htm">Door</a> <a href="/luke/11-10.htm">Find</a> <a href="/luke/13-25.htm">Knock</a> <a href="/luke/11-10.htm">Knocking</a> <a href="/luke/11-10.htm">Open</a> <a href="/luke/11-10.htm">Opened</a> <a href="/luke/16-3.htm">Requests</a> <a href="/luke/11-10.htm">Searching</a> <a href="/luke/11-29.htm">Seek</a> <a href="/luke/11-10.htm">Seeking</a> <a href="/luke/11-10.htm">Sign</a><div class="vheading2">Luke 11</div>1. <a href="/luke/11-1.htm">Jesus teaches us to pray, and that instantly;</a> 11. <a href="/luke/11-11.htm">assuring us that God will give all good things to those who ask him.</a> 14. <a href="/luke/11-14.htm">He, casting out a demon, rebukes the blasphemous Pharisees;</a> 27. <a href="/luke/11-27.htm">and shows who are blessed;</a> 29. <a href="/luke/11-29.htm">preaches to the people;</a> 37. <a href="/luke/11-37.htm">and reprimands the outward show of holiness.</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/luke/11.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/luke/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/luke/11.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>So I tell you: This phrase indicates a direct instruction from Jesus, emphasizing the authority and importance of His words. In the context of <a href="/luke/11.htm">Luke 11</a>, Jesus is teaching His disciples about prayer, following the Lord's Prayer. This introduction underscores the personal and relational aspect of Jesus' teaching, as He speaks directly to His followers.Ask, and it will be given to you; The act of asking in prayer is a demonstration of faith and dependence on God. This phrase highlights the generosity of God, who is willing to provide for His children. It echoes the promise found in <a href="/matthew/7-7.htm">Matthew 7:7</a> and <a href="/james/1-5.htm">James 1:5</a>, where believers are encouraged to ask God for wisdom. The cultural context of the time emphasized the importance of persistence in requests, reflecting the parable of the persistent widow in <a href="/luke/18.htm">Luke 18:1-8</a>.seek, and you will find; Seeking implies an active pursuit of God's will and truth. This phrase suggests a deeper level of engagement beyond mere asking, encouraging believers to diligently search for God's guidance and presence. It aligns with <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. The historical context of seeking in the Jewish tradition involved studying the Scriptures and seeking God's face in prayer.knock, and the door will be opened to you. Knocking represents perseverance and determination in prayer. The imagery of a door being opened signifies access to God's kingdom and blessings. This phrase is reminiscent of <a href="/revelation/3-20.htm">Revelation 3:20</a>, where Jesus stands at the door and knocks, inviting believers into fellowship with Him. The cultural practice of hospitality in ancient times involved opening one's home to guests, symbolizing God's readiness to welcome those who earnestly seek Him.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a> The speaker of this verse, Jesus is teaching His disciples about prayer and the nature of God's response to those who earnestly seek Him. 2. <a href="/topical/d/disciples.htm">Disciples</a> The immediate audience of Jesus' teaching, representing all believers who are called to follow Christ and learn from His teachings. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_setting.htm">The Setting</a> This teaching occurs during Jesus' ministry, as He instructs His followers on how to pray and understand God's willingness to respond to their needs.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_promise_of_prayer.htm">The Promise of Prayer</a> Jesus assures us that God is attentive to our prayers. When we ask, seek, and knock, we are engaging in a relationship with a loving Father who desires to give good gifts to His children. <a href="/topical/p/persistence_in_faith.htm">Persistence in Faith</a> The Greek verbs for "ask," "seek," and "knock" are in the present imperative, suggesting continuous action. This teaches us the importance of persistence and perseverance in our prayer life. <a href="/topical/a/active_participation.htm">Active Participation</a> Each action—asking, seeking, knocking—requires initiative and effort on our part. We are called to be active participants in our spiritual journey, not passive recipients. <a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_timing.htm">Trust in God's Timing</a> While the promise is clear, the timing and manner of God's response may differ from our expectations. Trusting in His perfect timing is crucial. <a href="/topical/a/alignment_with_god's_will.htm">Alignment with God's Will</a> Our requests should align with God's will and character. As we grow in our relationship with Him, our desires will increasingly reflect His purposes.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_luke_11.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Luke 11</a> <a href="/q/how_does_persistence_achieve_justice.htm">How does persistence lead to justice despite indifference?</a> <a href="/q/what_did_jesus_mean_by_'ask,_receive'.htm">What did Jesus mean by "Ask and You Shall Receive"?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_'ask,_seek,_knock'_mean.htm">What did Jesus mean by "Ask, Seek, Knock"?</a> <a href="/q/who_was_ambrosiaster_and_his_works.htm">How can I seek you early each day?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/luke/11.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(9-13) Ask, and it shall be given you.--See Notes on <a href="/context/matthew/7-7.htm" title="Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you:">Matthew 7:7-11</a>; but note (1) the greater impressiveness of the opening words, "And I say unto you, . . . "as connected with the previous illustration; and (2) the addition of the "scorpion" to the "serpent," as though the recent combination of the two words in <a href="/luke/10-19.htm" title="Behold, I give to you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.">Luke 10:19</a> had so associated them that the one was naturally followed by the other.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/luke/11.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verses 9, 10. - And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall he opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Then the Lord - taking advantage of the state of mind into which his strange words had brought his hearers - made, as Professor Bruce well points out, the solemn declaration on which, and not on the parable, he desired the tried soul to lay the stress of its faith: "And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you," etc. Jesus here pledges that those who act in accordance with this counsel shall find the event justify it. This statement, that those who pray to God shall surely be heard, rests absolutely on Christ's authority. It is not given as a fact which is self-evident, but as a fact which he, the Speaker, knows to be true. The man in bed is pictured in the parable as utterly selfish, regardless of his poorer neighbor's wants and sufferings. So God seems to us often, as we pray to him day after day, month after month, and our prayer receives no answer; he merely appears to us then as a passionless Spectator of the tragedies and comedies of time. "Children," said the Savior," the selfish man of my story yields to constant importunity. Think ye God, who only seems to be deaf to man's pleading voice that he may deepen his faith and educate his soul - think ye God is not listening all the while, and will not in the end, in all his glorious generosity, grant the prayer? Only pray on." <a href="/commentaries/luke/11-9.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>So I Κἀγὼ (Kagō) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2504.htm">Strong's 2504: </a> To also, I too, but I. From kai and ego; so also the dative case kamoi, and accusative case kame and I, me. tell λέγω (legō) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3004.htm">Strong's 3004: </a> (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. 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. 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/luke/11-9.htm">Luke 11:9 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/luke/11-9.htm">Luke 11:9 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/luke/11-9.htm">Luke 11:9 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/luke/11-9.htm">Luke 11:9 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/luke/11-9.htm">Luke 11:9 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/luke/11-9.htm">Luke 11:9 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/luke/11-9.htm">Luke 11:9 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/luke/11-9.htm">Luke 11:9 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/luke/11-9.htm">Luke 11:9 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/luke/11-9.htm">Luke 11:9 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/luke/11-9.htm">NT Gospels: Luke 11:9 I tell you keep asking and it (Luke Lu Lk) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/luke/11-8.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Luke 11:8"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Luke 11:8" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/luke/11-10.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Luke 11:10"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Luke 11:10" /></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>