Matthew 7:7

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Matthew 7:7 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you.

King James Version KJV

¶ Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

American Standard Version ASV

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

Bible in Basic English BBE

Make a request, and it will be answered; what you are searching for you will get; give the sign, and the door will be open to you:

Free Bible Version FBV

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Aske, and it shall be giuen you: seeke, and ye shall finde: knocke, and it shall be opened vnto you.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

'Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you;

World English Bible WEB

“Ask, and it will be given you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened for you.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and the door shall be opened to you:

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

Ask, and it shall be given you: seek, and you shall find: knock, and it shall be opened to you.

Translation for Translators T4T

“Keep asking God for what you need. If you do that, he will give it to you. Confidently keep expecting God to give you the things that you need, and he will give them to you. It will be like [MET] looking for what you need and finding it. Keep on praying persistently to God. Then God will answer you. It will be like [MET] knocking on a door in order to enter a room. And the way will be opened {God will open the way} for you to get what you pray for.

Plain English Version PEV

Jesus kept on teaching the people. He said, “Whenever you need something, you have to keep asking God for it, and he will give it to you. Keep looking for whatever you need, and God will let you find it. Maybe something will block you, so you can’t get what you need, like there is a door that is shut and you can’t get through it. Well, then keep on knocking at that door, and God will open it for you.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Matthew 7:7

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Matthew 7:7 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

GRK αιτειτε και δοθησεται υμιν ζητειτε και ευρησετε κρουετε και ανοιγησεται υμιν

αιτειτε aiteō G154 to ask Verb-PAM-2P

και kai G2532 and Conj

δοθησεται didōmi G1325 to give Verb-FPI-3S

υμιν su G4771 you Pron-2DP

ζητειτε zēteō G2212 to seek Verb-PAM-2P

και kai G2532 and Conj

ευρησετε ehuriskō G2147 to find/meet Verb-FAI-2P

κρουετε krouō G2925 to knock Verb-PAM-2P

και kai G2532 and Conj

ανοιγησεται anoigō G455 to open Verb-2FPI-3S

υμιν su G4771 you Pron-2DP

Greek Word Study

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Greek Word Reference — Matthew 7:7

αιτειτε aiteō G154 "to ask" Verb-PAM-2P

To ask or request something from someone, like in Matthew 7:7 where Jesus says to ask and it will be given to you.

Definition: αἰτέω, -ῶ, [in LXX chiefly for שׁאל ;] to ask, request: absol., Mat.7:7, Jas.1:6; with accusative of person(s), Mat.5:42, Luk.6:30; with accusative of thing(s), before ἀπό, Mat.20:20, 1Jn.5:15; id. before παρά, Act.3:2, Jas.1:5; with dupl. accusative Mat.7:9, Mrk.6:22, Jhn.16:23. Mid. (on the distinction bet. mid. and act., see M, Pr., 160): absol., Mrk.15:8, Jhn.16:26, Jas.4:3; with accusative of thing(s), Mat.14:7, Mrk.6:24, al.; with accusative of person(s), Mat.27:20, Luk.23:25; with accusative of thing(s), before παρά, Act.9:2; with accusative and inf., Luk.23:23. with inf. Act.7:46, Eph.3:13 (cf. ἀπ-, ἐξ-, ἐπ-, παρ-, προσ- αιτέω). SYN.: ἐρωτάω, which see, πυνθάνομαι. On the proper distinction between these words, see Tr., Syn., § xl, Thayer, see word αἰ. In late Gk., however, αἰ. and ἐ. seem to have become practically synonymous (cf. Act.3:2,3; see Field, Notes, 101 f.; M, Th., I, 4:1; M, Pr., 66.n; MM, VGT, see word). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 68 NT verses. KJV: ask, beg, call for, crave, desire, require See also: 1 Corinthians 1:22; Luke 6:30; 1 Peter 3:15.

και kai G2532 "and" Conj

And or also, a connecting word used to join ideas or words, like in Matthew 2:18 and Hebrews 1:1.

Definition: καί, conj., and __I. Copulative. __1. Connecting single words; __(a) in general: Mat.2:18, 16:1, Mrk.2:15, Luk.8:15, Heb.1:1, al. mult.; repeated before each of the terms in a series, Mat.23:23, Luk.14:21, Rom.7:12, 9:4, al. __(b) connecting numerals (WM, §37, 4): Jhn.2:20, Act.13:20; __(with) joining terms which are not mutually exclusive, as the part with the whole: Mat.8:33, 26:59, Mrk.16:17, Act.5:29, al. __2. Connecting clauses and sentences: Mat.3:12, Act.5:21, al. mult.; esp. __(a) where, after the simplicity of the popular language, sentences are paratactically joined (WM, §60, 3; M, Pr., 12; Deiss., LAE, 128ff.): Mat.1:21, 7:25, Mrk.9:5, Jhn.10:3, al.; __(b) joining affirmative to negative sentences: Luk.3:14, Jhn.4:11, IIIJhn.10; __(with) consecutive, and so: Mat.5:1, 23:32, Heb.3:19, al.; after imperatives, Mat.4:19, Luk.7:7, al.; __(d) = καίτοι, and yet: Mat.3:14, 6:26, Mrk.12:12, Luk.18:7 (Field, Notes, 72), 1Co.5:2, al.; __(e) beginning an apodosis (= Heb. וְ; so sometimes δέ in cl.), then: Luk.2:21, 7:12, Act.1:10; beginning a question (WM, §53, 3a): Mrk.10:26, Luk.10:29, Jhn.9:36. __3. Epexegetic, and, and indeed, namely (WM, §53, 3c): Luk.3:18, Jhn.1:16, Act.23:6, Rom.1:5, 1Co.3:5, al. __4. In transition: Mat.4:23, Mrk.5:1, 21, Jhn.1:19, al.; so, Hebraistically, καὶ ἐγένετο (וַי:הִי; also ἐγένετο δέ), Mrk.1:9 (cf. Luk.5:1; V. Burton, §§357-60; M, Pr., 14, 16). __5. καὶ . . . καί, both . . . and (for τε . . . καί, see: τε); __(a) connecting single words: Mat.10:28, Mrk.4:41, Rom.11:33, al.; __(b) clauses and sentences: Mrk.9:13, Jhn.7:28, 1Co.1:22, al. __II. Adjunctive, also, even, still: Mat.5:39, 40; Mrk.2:28, al. mult.; esp. with pron., adv., etc., Mat.20:4, Jhn.7:47, al; ὡς κ., Act.11:17; καθὼς κ., Rom.15:7; οὑτω κ., Rom.6:11; διὸ κ., Luk.1:35; ὁ κ. (Deiss., BS, 313ff.), Act.13:9; pleonastically, μετὰ κ.. (Bl., §77, 7; Deiss., BS, 265f,), Php.4:3; τί κ., 1 Co 15:29; ἀλλὰ κ., Luk.14:22, Jhn.5:18, al.; καίγε (M, Pr., 230; Burton, §437), Act.17:27; καίπερ, Heb.5:8; κ. ἐάν, see: ἐάν. ἐάν, contr. fr. εἰ ἄν, conditional particle, representing something as "under certain circumstances actual or liable to happen," but not so definitely expected as in the case of εἰ with ind. (Bl., §65, 4; cf. Jhn.13:17, 1Co.7:36), if haply, if; __1. with subjc. (cl.); __(a) pres.: Mat.6:22, Luk.10:6, Jhn.7:17, Rom.2:25, 26 al.; { __(b) aor. (= Lat. fut. pf.): Mat.4:9 16:26 (cf. ptcp. in Luk.9:25; M, Pr., 230), Mrk.3:24, Luk.14:34, Jhn.5:43, Rom.7:2, al.; = cl. εἰ, with opt., Jhn.9:22 11:57, Act.9:2; as Heb. אִם = ὅταν, Jhn.12:32 14:3, I Jhn.2:28 3:2, Heb.3:7" (LXX) . __2. C. indic, (as in late writers, fr. Arist. on; see WH, App., 171; VD, MGr. 2, App., §77; Deiss., BS, 201f., LAE, 155, 254; M, Pr., 168, 187; Bl., §65, 4); __(a) fut.: Mat.18:19 T, Luk.19:40, Act.7:7; __(b) pres.: 1Th.3:8 (see Milligan, in l.). __3. With other particles: ἐ. καί (Bl., §65, 6), Gal.6:1; ἐ. μή (M, Pr., 185, 187; Bl., l.with), with subjc. pres., Mat.10:13, 1Co.8:8, Jas.2:17, 1Jn.3:21; aor., Mat.6:15, Mrk.3:27, Jhn.3:3, Rom.10:15, Gal.1:8 2:16 (see Lft., Ellic., in ll.); ἐ. τε . . . ἐ. τε, [in LXX for אִם . . . אִם, Est.19:13, al.,] Rom.14:8. __4. = cl. ἄν (which see) after relat. pronouns and adverbs (Tdf., Pr., 96; WH, App., 173; M, Pr., 42f.; Bl., §26, 4; Mayser, 152f.; Deiss., BS, 202ff.): ὃς ἐ., Mat.5:19, Mrk.6:22, 23 Luk.17:32, 1Co.6:18, al.; ὅπου ἐ., Mat.8:19; ὁσάκις ἐ., Rev.11:6; οὗ ἐ., 1Co.16:6; καθὸ ἐ., 2Co.8:12; ὅστις ἐ., Gal.5:10. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 5212 NT verses. KJV: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 10:4; 1 Corinthians 16:1.

δοθησεται didōmi G1325 "to give" Verb-FPI-3S

To give, as seen in Matthew 4:9 and John 1:12, means to bestow or grant something to someone, often with a sense of generosity or sacrifice, like God giving his only son in John 3:16

Definition: δίδωμι, [in LXX chiefly for נָתַן (53 words in all) ;] to give—in various senses, accusative to context—bestow, grant, supply, deliver, commit, yield: absol., Act.20:35; with accusative of thing(s) and dative of person(s), Mat.4:9 5:31, Jhn.1:12, al. mult.; with dative of person(s), before ἐκ, Mat.25:8; id. with genitive part.. Rev.2:17; with accusative of person(s), Jhn.3:16, Rev.20:13, al.; δεξιάς, Gal.2:9; φίλημα, Luk.7:45; γνῶσιν, Luk.1:77; κρίσιν, Jhn.5:22; of seed yielding fruit, Mrk.4:7, 8; ἐργασίαν (Deiss., LAE, 117f.), Luk.12:58; with inf. fin., Mat.27:34, Mrk.5:43, Luk.8:55, Jhn.6:52, al.; with dative of person(s) and inf., Luk.1:74, al.; with accusative and inf., Act.2:27, Rev.3:9; with dupl. accusative, Mat.20:28, Mrk.10:45, Eph.1:22 4:11, 2Th.3:9, 1Ti.2:6, al.; ἑαυτὸν δ. εἰς (Polyb., al.), Act.19:31; with dative of person(s), before κατά (MM, Exp., xi), Rev.2:28 (LXX); δ. ἵνα, Rev.3:9; δέδωκα ἐνώπιόν σου θύραν ἀνεῳγμένην, Rev.3:8. SYN.: δωρέομαι. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 380 NT verses. KJV: adventure, bestow, bring forth, commit, deliver (up), give, grant, hinder, make, minister, number, offer, have power, put, receive, set, shew, smite (+ with the hand), strike (+ with the palm of the hand), suffer, take, utter, yield See also: 1 Corinthians 1:4; Galatians 1:4; 1 Peter 1:21.

υμιν su G4771 "you" Pron-2DP

This Greek word means 'you' and is used to address someone directly, like in John 1:30 and Matthew 26:64. It's a way to emphasize or contrast the person being spoken to. The KJV Bible translates it as 'thou'.

Definition: σύ, pron. of 2nd of person(s), thou, you, genitive, σοῦ, dative, σοί, accusative, σέ, pl., ὑμεῖς, -ῶν, -ῖν, -ᾶς (enclitic in oblique cases sing., except after prep. (BL, §48, 3), though πρὸς σέ occurs in Mat.25:39). Nom. for emphasis or contrast: Jhn.1:30, 4:10, 5:33, 39, 44, Act.4:7, Eph.5:32; so also perhaps σὺ εἶπας, Mat.26:64, al. (M, Pr., 86); before voc., Mat.2:6, Luk.1:76, Jhn.17:5, al.; sometimes without emphasis (M, Pr., 85f.), as also in cl., but esp. as rendering of Heb. phrase, e.g. υἱός μου εἶ σύ (בְּנִי־אַתָּה, Psa.2:7), Act.13:33. The genitive (σοῦ, ὑμῶν) is sometimes placed bef. the noun: Luk.7:48, 12:30, al.; so also the enclitic σοῦ, Mat.9:6; on τί ἐμοὶ κ. σοί, see: ἐγώ. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 2041 NT verses. KJV: thou See also: 1 Corinthians 1:3; 1 Corinthians 15:3; 1 Peter 1:2.

ζητειτε zēteō G2212 "to seek" Verb-PAM-2P

To seek something means to look for it or try to find it, like when Jesus teaches to seek first God's kingdom in Matthew 7:7. It can also mean to worship or plot against someone.

Definition: ζητέω, -ῶ, [in LXX chiefly for בּקשׁ pi., also for דּרשׁ, etc. ;] __1. to seek, seek for: Mat.7:7, 8 Luk.11:9, 10; with accusative of person(s), Mrk.1:37, Luk.2:48, Jhn.6:24, al.; id. before ἐν, Act.9:11; with accusative of thing(s), Mat.13:45, Luk.19:10; before ἐν, Luk.13:6, 7; ψυχήν, of plotting against one's life ( Exo.4:19, al.), Mat.2:20, Rom.11:3" (LXX) . Metaphorical, to seek by thinking, search after, inquire into: Mrk.11:18, Luk.12:28, Jhn.16:19; τ. θεόν, Act.17:27. __2. to seek or strive after, desire: Mat.12:46, Mrk.12:12, Luk.9:9, Jhn.5:18, Rom.10:3, al.; τ. θάνατον, Rev.9:6; τ. βασιλείαν τ. θεοῦ, Mat.6:33 (Dalman, Words, 121f.); τὰ ἄνω, Col.3:1; εἰρήνην, 1Pe.3:11 (LXX). __3. to require, demand: with accusative of thing(s), Mrk.8:12, Luk.11:29, 1Co.1:22, 2Co.13:3; before παρά, Mrk.8:11, al.; ἵνα, 1Co.4:2 (cf. ἀνα-, ἐκ-, ἐπι-, συν-ζητέω). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 115 NT verses. KJV: be (go) about, desire, endeavour, enquire (for), require, (X will) seek (after, for, means) See also: 1 Corinthians 1:22; John 18:8; 1 Peter 3:11.

και kai G2532 "and" Conj

And or also, a connecting word used to join ideas or words, like in Matthew 2:18 and Hebrews 1:1.

Usage: Occurs in 5212 NT verses. KJV: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 10:4; 1 Corinthians 16:1.

ευρησετε ehuriskō G2147 "to find/meet" Verb-FAI-2P

To find or discover something, like in Matthew 7:7-8, where Jesus teaches that those who seek will find. This word is about searching and finding, whether it's a physical object or a spiritual truth.

Definition: εὑρίσκω, [in LXX chiefly for מצא, also for נשׂג hi., etc. ;] to find, with or without previous search: absol., opposite to ζητέω, Mat.7:7, 8 Luk.11:9, 10; with accusative, Mat.2:8, Mrk.1:37, Act.13:22, 2Ti.1:17, al.; pass., οὐχ εὑ., of disappearance, Heb.11:5, Rev.16:20, al.; γῆ κ. τὰ ἐν αὐτῇ ἔργα εὑρεθήσεται (for conjectures as to the meaning of this reading, see Mayor, ICC, in l.), 2Pe.3:10, WH, R, mg. Metaphorical, to find, find out by inquiry, learn, discover: Luk.19:48, Act.4:21; αἰτίαν, Jhn.18:38, Act.13:28, al.; pass., Mat.1:18, Luk.17:18, Rom.7:10, 1Co.4:2, Gal.2:17, 1Pe.1:7, Rev.5:4, al.; of attaining to the knowledge of God, εὑ. θεόν, Act.17:27; pass., Rom.10:20 (LXX). Mid., to find for oneself, gain, procure, obtain: with accusative of thing(s), λύτρωσιν, Heb.9:12; act. in same sense (so cl. poets, but not in Attic prose), Mat.10:39 11:29, Luk.1:30, Act.7:46, 2Ti.1:18, al. (cf. ἀν-ευρίσκω). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 167 NT verses. KJV: find, get, obtain, perceive, see See also: 1 Corinthians 4:2; Luke 12:37; 1 Peter 1:7.

κρουετε krouō G2925 "to knock" Verb-PAM-2P

To knock means to rap or strike something, like knocking on a door, as seen in Matthew 7:7-8 and Luke 11:9-10. Jesus uses this action as a metaphor for seeking entrance into our lives.

Definition: Κρούω [in LXX: before ἐπί Jdg.19:22, Sng.5:2 (דָּפַק) ;] with, accusative, τ. αὐλαίαν, Jdth.14:14 * ;] to strike, knock: at a door (Κόπτειν, in Att..), Mat.7:7-8, Luk.11:9-10 12:36, Act.12:16, Rev.3:20; with accusative, τ. θύραν, Luk.13:25, Act.12:13.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 9 NT verses. KJV: knock See also: Acts 12:13; Luke 12:36; Revelation 3:20.

και kai G2532 "and" Conj

And or also, a connecting word used to join ideas or words, like in Matthew 2:18 and Hebrews 1:1.

Usage: Occurs in 5212 NT verses. KJV: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 10:4; 1 Corinthians 16:1.

ανοιγησεται anoigō G455 "to open" Verb-2FPI-3S

To open something means to make it accessible or available, like opening a door or a gate. In the Bible, this word is used literally and figuratively, such as in Acts 5:19 and Revelation 3:20.

Definition: ἀν-οίγω (ἀνά, οἴγω = οἴγνυμι) [in LXX chiefly for פָּתַח ;] to open; __1. trans., with accusative; a door or gate, Act.5:19 12:14, Rev.4:1; pass., Act.12:10 16:26-27; metaphorically of opportunity or welcome, Act.14:27, Col.4:3, Rev.3:20; pass., 1Co.16:9, 2Co.2:12, Rev.3:8; absol. (sc. θύραν), Act.5:23 12:16; with dative of person(s), Luk.12:36, Jhn.10:3; metaphorically, Mat.7:7-8 25:11, Luk.11:9-10 13:25, Rev.3:7; θησαυρούς (Sir.43:14), Mat.2:11; τ. μνημεῖα, Mat.27:52; τάφος, Rom.3:13; τ. φρέαρ, Rev.9:2; of heaven, Mat.3:16, Luk.3:21, Act.10:11, Rev.11:19 15:5 19:11; σφραγῖδα, Rev.5:9 6:1 ff. Rev.8:1; βιβλίον, βιβλαρίδιον, Luk.4:17, Rev.5:2-5 10:2, 8 20:12; τ. στόμα, Mat.17:27; id. Hebraistically (Num.22:28, Job.3:1, Isa.50:5, al.), of beginning to speak, Mat.5:2, Act.8:32, 35 10:34 18:14; before εἰς βλαιφημίας, Rev.13:6; ἐν παραβολαῖς (Psa.78:2), Mat.13:35; of recovering speech, Luk.1:64; of the earth opening, Rev.12:16; τ. ὀφθαλμoύς, Act.9:8, 40; id. with genitive of person(s), of restoring sight, Mat.9:30 20:33, Jhn.9:1ff; 10.21, 11:37ff ; metaphorically, Act.26:18; ἀκοάς, with genitive of person(s), of restoring hearing, Mrk.7:35. __2. Intrans. in 2 pf., ἀνέῳγα (M, Pr., 154); heaven, Jhn.1:51; τ. στόμα, before πρός, of speaking freely, 2Co.6:11 (cf. δι-ανοίγω and see MM, VGT, 45).† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 75 NT verses. KJV: open See also: 1 Corinthians 16:9; Luke 13:25; Revelation 3:7.

υμιν su G4771 "you" Pron-2DP

Usage: Occurs in 2041 NT verses. KJV: thou See also: 1 Corinthians 1:3; 1 Corinthians 15:3; 1 Peter 1:2.

Study Notes — Matthew 7:7

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Matthew 7:7 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Matthew 7:7
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Matthew 7:7
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Matthew 7:7
Trapp's Commentary on Matthew 7:7
Ellicott's Commentary on Matthew 7:7
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Matthew 7:7
Cambridge Bible on Matthew 7:7
Barnes' Notes on Matthew 7:7
Whedon's Commentary on Matthew 7:7
Sermons on Matthew 7:7

Context — Ask, Seek, Knock

5You hypocrite! First take the beam out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. 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.

7Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you.

8For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. 9Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Matthew 21:22	If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”
2	1 John 3:22	and we will receive from Him whatever we ask, because we keep His commandments and do what is pleasing in His sight.
3	John 15:7	If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
4	Mark 11:24	Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
5	Psalms 145:18–19	The LORD is near to all who call on Him, to all who call out to Him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him; He hears their cry and saves them.
6	Jeremiah 33:3	Call to Me, and I will answer and show you great and unsearchable things you do not know.
7	Matthew 6:33	But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.
8	Matthew 7:8	For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
9	Jeremiah 29:12–13	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.
10	John 15:16	You did not choose Me, but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will remain—so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you.

Matthew 7:7 Summary

In Matthew 7:7, Jesus teaches us to ask, seek, and knock, which means to come to God with our needs and desires, trusting that He will provide what is best for us. This verse is not a magic formula, but rather an invitation to deepen our relationship with God and align our will with His. As we ask, seek, and knock, we can trust that God will provide what we need, as promised in Philippians 4:19, and guide us according to His will, as stated in Proverbs 3:5-6.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean to 'ask, seek, and knock' in Matthew 7:7?

In Matthew 7:7, Jesus teaches that asking, seeking, and knocking are actions of faith, demonstrating our dependence on God and our desire to deepen our relationship with Him, as seen in Jeremiah 29:13 and Matthew 6:33.

Is this verse a guarantee that God will give me whatever I want?

No, this verse is not a guarantee that God will give us everything we want, but rather a promise that He will provide what we need to live a life pleasing to Him, as stated in Philippians 4:19 and Matthew 6:8.

How do I know if I'm asking, seeking, and knocking with the right motivations?

To ensure we're asking, seeking, and knocking with the right motivations, we must examine our hearts and align our desires with God's will, as taught in Proverbs 3:5-6 and 1 John 5:14-15.

What is the relationship between this verse and the surrounding context?

Matthew 7:7 is part of a larger discourse on living a life of faith and obedience, where Jesus warns against hypocrisy and teaches about the importance of seeking God's will, as seen in the preceding verses, Matthew 7:5-6, and the following verses, Matthew 7:8-9.

Reflection Questions

What are some areas in my life where I need to ask, seek, and knock, trusting in God's provision and guidance?
How can I ensure that my asking, seeking, and knocking are rooted in a genuine desire to know and follow God's will?
In what ways can I demonstrate my dependence on God and trust in His goodness, even when my requests are not immediately answered?
How does this verse relate to my daily life, and what practical steps can I take to apply its teachings?

Gill's Exposition on Matthew 7:7

Ask and it shall be given you,.... This is to be understood of asking of God in prayer, for such things as are wanting; whether of a temporal nature, as food and raiment, which Christ, in the former

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Matthew 7:7

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: Ask, and it shall be given you: seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Matthew 7:7

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Trapp's Commentary on Matthew 7:7

7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: Ver. 7. Ask, and it shall be given you, &c.] Whereas it might be objected, -These are hard lessons, neither know we how to quit ourselves in the discharge of them; our Saviour answers, as Isaiah did before him, "Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near," Isaiah 55:6; and as St James adviseth after him, "If any man want wisdom, let him ask it of God." "Ask," saith he, "and it shall be given you." Run to the great Doctor of the Church, as Agur did to Ithiel and Ucal, Proverbs 30:1, and he will teach you; seek his face and favour, and ye shall surely find it; knock at the beautiful gate of heaven with the hand of faith, and it shall open unto you (as the iron gate did to Peter) of its own accord, Acts 12:10. Elisha’ s staff was laid (by his appointment) upon the dead child’ s face, but there was neither voice nor hearing. He went therefore himself, and shut the door upon them twain, and prayed unto the Lord, 2 Kings 4:31; 2 Kings 4:33. This staff he knew was long enough to reach up to heaven, to knock at those gates, yea, to wrench them open. "Ask, therefore, that your joy may be full." "Hitherto ye have asked me nothing," saith Christ, disliking our dulness to this duty. Quid est cur nihil petis? pete ne privatus de me queraris, said Severus the emperor to his courtiers: What meanest thou to ask nothing of me? Ask, that thou mayest have no cause of complaint against me. And Pope Nicholas V (a great favourer of learning), when he was told of some in Rome that made good verses; "They cannot be good poets," said he, "and I not know them. Why come they not to me, if good, qui poetis etiam malis pateo, who am a friend to poets though not so good?" Christ soliciteth suitors, "and the Father seeketh such to worship him," John 4:23; not for anything he gets by it, but merely for our benefit; as the sun draws up vapours from the earth not for itself, but to moisten and fatten the earth therewith. And although he come not ever at first call, yet be not discouraged with silence or sad answers. He is nearest to such suitors as, with Mary, cannot see him for their tears and griefs; if, with her, they continue to seek him in humility; if they rest not rapping and bouncing at his gates, he will open unto them, for their importunity, Luke 18:5-7. The saints sometimes have present audience, as Eliezer, Genesis 24:15; Daniel; the disciples, Acts 4:31; and Luther, who came leaping out of his closet with Vicimus, Vicimus We conquer, we conquer, in his mouth. But what if they have not?

Ellicott's Commentary on Matthew 7:7

(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.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Matthew 7:7

Verse 7. Ask - seek - knock] These three words include the ideas of want, loss, and earnestness. Ask: turn, beggar at, the door of mercy; thou art destitute of all spiritual good, and it is God alone who can give it to thee; and thou hast no claim but what his mercy has given thee on itself. Seek: Thou hast lost thy God, thy paradise, thy soul. - Look about thee - leave no stone unturned there is no peace, no final salvation for thee till thou get thy soul restored to the favour and image of God. Knock: Be in earnest - be importunate: Eternity is at hand! and, if thou die in thy sins, where God is thou shalt never come. Ask with confidence and humility. Seek with care and application. Knock with earnestness and perseverance.

Cambridge Bible on Matthew 7:7

7. Ask, and it shall be given] The connection is again difficult. The verse may be the answer to the disciples’ unspoken questions: (1) “How shall we discriminate?” or (2) “Who are fit to receive these divine truths?” The words of Christ teach, (1) that discernment will be given, among other “good things,” in answer to prayer; (2) that prayer in itself implies fitness, because it implies desire for such truths.

Barnes' Notes on Matthew 7:7

Ask, and it shall be given you ... - There are here three different forms presented of seeking the things which we need from God - asking, ‘seeking, and knocking.

Whedon's Commentary on Matthew 7:7

(2.) Confide in God as a more than earthly father, 7-12.In coming into the kingdom ye must entertain faith in God’s paternity, (Matthew 7:7-12;) ye must pass through the strait gate of life, (Matthew

Sermons on Matthew 7:7

	Sermon	Description
	Effectual Fervent Prayer by Corrie Ten Boom	In this sermon, the speaker begins by expressing their reliance on God's strength and their desire to be a channel for His living water. They then pray for various individuals, inc
	Revival on the Isle of Lewis by Duncan Campbell	In this sermon transcript, the speaker shares a powerful testimony of a revival that took place in a parish. The revival began when four young girls, aged 16, prayed for their head
	Reality in the Christian Life by Zac Poonen	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the precious and magnificent promises that God has given us in the scriptures. He explains that these promises are not meant to solely bring
	1974 Jerusalem Conference - Part 2 by Kathryn Kuhlman	In this sermon, the preacher shares testimonies of miraculous healings that have taken place during the service. One woman who had been suffering from an orthopedic problem for thr
	Whats Wrong With the Gospel - Part 1 by Keith Green	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding and embracing the journey of faith. They encourage listeners to seek solutions and growth in their spiritual
	2006 Heart-Cry - Journal Reading and Message by Paul Washer	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the goodness of God and His plans for believers. He encourages young men to seek and avail themselves of God's promises through prayer and pe
	(Messages) Nearness of Jesus by Basilea Schlink	In this sermon, Mother Basilia Schlink talks about the experience of Canaan, the land where God dwelled and performed miracles in biblical times. She emphasizes that Canaan has bec