Matthew 7:8 kjv
For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
Matthew 7:8 nkjv
For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.
Matthew 7:8 niv
For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
Matthew 7:8 esv
For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.
Matthew 7:8 nlt
For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.
Matthew 7 8 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Mt 7:7 | Ask, and it will be given...seek, and you will find...knock, and it will be opened to you. | Direct instruction and promise. |
| Lk 11:9 | So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you... | Parallel passage from Luke's Gospel. |
| Lk 11:10 | For everyone who asks receives... | Luke's parallel, reinforcing the promise. |
| Lk 11:13 | If you then...know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him! | God's fatherly willingness to give, especially good gifts. |
| Jer 29:13 | You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. | Emphasizes wholehearted seeking. |
| Deut 4:29 | But from there you will seek the Lord your God and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul. | Promises finding God through diligent search. |
| Psa 9:10 | And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you. | God's faithfulness to those who seek Him. |
| Psa 34:10 | ...but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. | Assurance of provision for seekers of God. |
| Prov 2:3-5 | if you call out for insight...if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. | Promises discovery of wisdom and knowledge through seeking. |
| Prov 8:17 | I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me. | Wisdom's availability to diligent seekers. |
| Isa 55:6 | Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near. | Urgency to seek and call on God. |
| Php 4:6 | do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. | Instruction for bringing requests to God. |
| Col 4:2-3 | Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ... | Prayer for opened doors, specifically for ministry. |
| Rev 3:8 | ...I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. | God opens doors of opportunity. |
| Mk 11:24 | Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. | Emphasizes faith in receiving answers to prayer. |
| 1 Jn 3:22 | and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. | Receiving when aligning with God's will. |
| 1 Jn 5:14-15 | And this is the confidence that we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us...we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him. | Assurance of answered prayer when in God's will. |
| Jas 1:5 | If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. | Specific promise for receiving wisdom by asking. |
| Heb 4:16 | Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. | Invitation to approach God for help and grace. |
| Matt 21:22 | And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith." | Emphasizes faith as a condition for receiving. |
Matthew 7 verses
Matthew 7 8 Meaning
Matthew 7:8 expresses a divine guarantee: those who earnestly and persistently "ask," "seek," and "knock" will indeed receive, find, and have doors opened for them. It promises that God hears and responds to the sincere prayers and diligent pursuit of His will and presence. The verse underscores God's faithfulness and generosity in fulfilling the needs of those who actively engage with Him.
Matthew 7 8 Context
Matthew 7:8 is a pivotal part of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, found within the concluding section where Jesus emphasizes the call to action, discernment, and genuine commitment to His teachings. This specific verse follows the direct command of Matthew 7:7 ("Ask, seek, knock") and serves as a comprehensive assurance or divine rationale for that command. The preceding verses of chapter 7 discuss judging others and casting pearls before swine, while the verses immediately following speak about the Father's willingness to give good gifts and the importance of entering the narrow gate. In essence, it forms part of a larger discourse encouraging a sincere, humble, and persistent relationship with God, contrasting with superficial religiosity. The original audience, primarily Jewish people under Roman rule, would have understood prayer as a foundational practice, and Jesus here validates its efficacy while elevating it to a new level of spiritual intensity and divine responsiveness.
Matthew 7 8 Word analysis
- For (γάρ - gar): An explanatory conjunction, indicating that verse 8 provides the reason or substantiation for the preceding command in verse 7. It connects the action directly to the promised outcome.
- everyone (πᾶς - pas): All-inclusive. This promise extends universally to anyone who meets the specified conditions, emphasizing God's impartial generosity.
- who asks (ὁ αἰτῶν - ho aitōn): From the verb "aitéō" (αἰτέω), meaning to ask, beg, crave, or entreat. It implies a persistent and dependent request, not merely a casual inquiry. It often suggests asking from a superior or a position of need.
- receives (λαμβάνει - lambanei): From "lambánō" (λαμβάνω), meaning to take, seize, or receive what is given or offered. It conveys certainty and a clear appropriation of the request.
- and he who seeks (καὶ ὁ ζητῶν - kai ho zētōn): From "zētéō" (ζητέω), meaning to seek out, search for, inquire for, or investigate. It denotes a more active, diligent, and perhaps laborious pursuit than simply asking. It suggests looking for something hidden or lost.
- finds (εὑρίσκει - heuriskei): From "heurískō" (εὑρίσκω), meaning to find, discover, or obtain. It implies a successful end to the search.
- and to him who knocks (καὶ τῷ κρούοντι - kai tō kroúonti): From "kroúō" (κρούω), meaning to strike, to rap, or to knock at a door. It depicts persistent, often repeated action, indicating a strong desire for entrance and communication.
- it will be opened (ἀνοιγήσεται - anoigēsetai): From "anoígō" (ἀνοίγω), meaning to open, unstop, or remove obstacles. It denotes the successful gaining of access, revealing a new pathway or understanding. This verb is in the passive voice, implying a divine agent performs the opening, further emphasizing God's role.
Words-group analysis:
- "everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened": This threefold progression—asking, seeking, and knocking—illustrates increasing intensity and earnestness in prayer and spiritual pursuit.
- "Asking" (αἰτέω) represents verbal request, often for specific needs.
- "Seeking" (ζητέω) suggests a more active, deliberate search, as for wisdom, understanding, or God's will.
- "Knocking" (κρούω) denotes persistent, urgent plea for entrance or access, signifying overcoming barriers.
- The use of present active participles ("who asks," "who seeks," "who knocks") implies continuous, habitual action, not just a one-time request. This highlights the importance of perseverance in prayer and spiritual quest.
- The passive "it will be opened" emphasizes that the answer comes from God, highlighting His initiative and power in response to human earnestness. The structure assures certainty of outcome.
Matthew 7 8 Bonus section
The promise in Matthew 7:8 operates within the framework of God's perfect wisdom and love, implying that what is received, found, or opened will ultimately be "good gifts" (as Jesus states in Mt 7:11) or what is best for the seeker and aligned with God's Kingdom purposes. The progression of "ask, seek, knock" can also be understood as different levels of relationship with God or different types of needs: "ask" for provision, "seek" for truth or God Himself, and "knock" for access or divine opportunity. It stands in contrast to the perfunctory prayers or rituals common in some religious practices of the time, advocating for genuine, faith-filled engagement.
Matthew 7 8 Commentary
Matthew 7:8 stands as a bedrock promise within the teachings of Jesus, offering unwavering assurance of God's responsiveness to those who truly engage with Him. It expands upon the imperative commands in Matthew 7:7, providing the reason and certainty behind them. The ascending intensity of "asking," "seeking," and "knocking" illustrates the spiritual diligence expected: from verbal prayer to active pursuit of divine truth or will, to persistent overcoming of spiritual barriers. This is not a guarantee for selfish desires or prayers contrary to God's will, as clarified elsewhere in Scripture (e.g., Jas 4:3, 1 Jn 5:14). Instead, it applies to genuine seeking for God's Kingdom, righteousness, and wisdom. The promise is universal in scope, emphasizing God's generous character. This verse encourages a profound, active faith, recognizing that God is not aloof but deeply involved and responsive to His children. For example, Christians ask God for daily provisions, seek Him for guidance in difficult decisions, and persistently knock on the door for breakthroughs in ministry or personal transformation.