The Commands of Christ - Matthew 7:7

"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." -Matthew 7:7


Who is this command spoken to?


Spoken to the multitudes listening to the Sermon on the Mount. The disciples seem to be sitting in the front row (see Matt 5:1-2)

What does this command require?


I did some digging, but I found that the verbs ask, seek, and knock are all in the present active imperative forms in the Greek. This means that each verb indicates an ongoing action. Perhaps a better rendering would be keep asking, keep seeking, keep knocking.

The command requires that we keep on asking, seeking, and knocking. The context of the next few verses indicates that it is in reference to asking God for things in prayer.

What truths do we learn through this command?


God wants us to ask Him for the things that we need. He wants us to come to Him in prayer, especially regarding our requests. He gives good things to those who ask. Often, God does not answer our prayers immediately. We tend to grow impatient with God when this happens. But, here, God instructs us to keep on asking and to keep on seeking for answers. Eventually, we will see that God was simply waiting for His own perfect timing to reveal his answers to us.

What does 'knock, and it will be opened to you' mean? I like what Gill's commentary says here: "[Knock] as beggars do, who use much importunity for relief and assistance. So men should stand and knock at the door of mercy, which will not always be shut against them. Faith in prayer is a key that opens this door, when a poor soul finds grace and mercy to help it in time of need. Our Lord's design is to express the nature, fervour, and constancy of prayer, and to encourage to it."

Our prayer needs to be fervent and faith-filled. The Lord rewards those who diligently seek Him.

What are the consequences for disobedience?


Well, if you don't ask, you won't receive; if you don't seek, you won't find; and if you don't knock, it won't be opened to you.