Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
What does Matthew 7:7 mean?
Prayer is the appointed means for obtaining what we need. Pray; pray often; make a business of prayer, and be serious and earnest in it.
Key themes
Read with
Keep this verse inside Matthew 7:7-10 and alongside a few nearby related passages.
Commentary on Matthew 7:7
- There are here three different forms presented of seeking the things which we need from God - asking, 'seeking, and knocking. The latter is taken from the act of knocking at a door for admittance. See Luke 13:25 ; Revelation 3:20 . The phrases signify to seek with earnestness, diligence, and perseverance. The promise is, that what we seek shall be given us. It is of course implied that we seek with a proper spirit, with humility, sincerity, and perseverance.
Key words
- given
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The promise is, that what we seek shall be given us.
- seek
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Seek, and ye shall find.
- find
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Seek, and ye shall find.
Context in Matthew 7
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Matthew 7 belongs to the early movement of the book, especially the section often described as birth and preparation. Matthew presents Jesus as Davidic Messiah, new Moses, teacher of the kingdom, suffering Son of Man, and risen Lord who commissions the nations. Read this chapter with the wider themes of fulfillment, kingdom of heaven, and discipleship in view so the individual verses keep their proper weight.
Related topics
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Passages on asking, persistence, confession, dependence, and the way prayer shapes Christian life and attention.
Who quoted Matthew 7:7?
Find out who used Matthew 7:7 in their speeches and writings. Which famous people quoted Matthew 7:7?
Quotes found on Wikiquote (match for «ask and it shall be given you»):