Ask, Seek, Knock Correctly
A Bible Study on Matthew 7:7
Matthew 7:7 "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
The (Mis)interpretation of This Verse
I am sure that many people reading this article probably have this verse memorized. It is consistently listed among the top 10 favorite and most highlighted verses in the Bible.
Recently, its popularity has grown due to some Prosperity teachers who have changed the meaning. Instead of "Ask and it will be given to you," they say, "Ask for whatever you want, and you will get it." They treat God like a wish-granting genie. Another group, the "word of faith" movement, uses this verse to claim that if you ask for something with enough faith, it will be given to you, even encouraging big dreams like cars and bags of money. They suggest that if you do not get what you ask for, it means you lack faith.
This verse is often grouped with others like Matthew 21:22, Mark 11:24, Luke 11:9, John 15:7, and John 16:24. Together, they are seen as a kind of blank check from God to fulfill our wishes. However, that is not the case. These verses have been misunderstood; they are not a blank check from God. In this article, we will not go into detail on the other verses, but we will focus on understanding the real meaning behind Matthew 7:7.
What is the Context of this Verse?
Taking a verse out of its context can lead to a different meaning than what the original author intended. So, let us look at the context of Matthew 7:7. This verse is part of Jesus' sermon on the mount, which is like His first talk about the Kingdom of God. In this sermon, He explains what He expects from people in His kingdom. The sermon has three parts: (1) The beatitudes, which are about blessings (5:1-12), (2) Teachings about how to live ethically (5:13-20; 6:1-7:23), and (3) Comparisons between what Jesus teaches and the traditional Jewish rules (5:21-48). Finally, the sermon ends with a short story emphasizing the importance of putting the teachings into practice (7:24-27). So, the verse we are looking at is part of Jesus' ethical teachings.
Matthew 7:7 is the start of a small section about prayer. So, we should not just read this verse alone; we should read it along with vv. 8-11. Let us see what it says, “For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!”
Looking at vv. 9-10, it is clear that when Jesus talks about asking, he means asking for what believers need. He uses the example of bread and fish to show that we should come to God, our Father, and ask Him for the basic needs of our lives.
What is the Meaning of the Verse?
First, God in heaven is not like a genie granting wishes; we cannot just give Him a list of things we want. God desires a relationship with us. In the verses we read, Jesus compares God to a father, and us as children coming to Him when we pray. So, if we want our prayers heard, we need a relationship with Him, becoming His children, which happens by accepting Jesus as our personal savior (John 1:12). Just as in our world, we ask none but our father for things, the same goes for our relationship with God.
Second, in understanding this verse, the focus is often on the wrong words. Instead of stressing "receive," "find," and "open," the emphasis in the original Greek is on "asking," "seeking," and "knocking." So, the verse should be read as "If you need something, ask; if you want to find something, seek; if you need a door to open, knock." It means Jesus was highlighting the importance of prayer—coming to God with our needs. Imagine someone waiting for a cup of water without asking, searching for a lost coin without looking, or standing at a closed door without knocking. God wants us to pray actively for our needs.
The third point is that Jesus emphasizes depending on God's goodness when we pray. He contrasts our fallen, selfish nature with God's goodness. If we, imperfect humans, can give good gifts to our children, then our Father in heaven, who is inherently good, will surely give us even more. God's goodness is a consistent theme in the Bible, and it means that His intentions, motivations, and plans are always good and right (Psalms 119:68; 100:5, and others).
How do we Apply this Verse in our Lives?
Two major applications can be drawn here. First, this verse teaches us the importance of not giving up in prayer. Some people stop praying after a few tries, thinking that God is not listening. However, Jesus encourages persistence in prayer. Building a deeper relationship with God requires faith and persistence. Do not give up asking for your needs. Depend on God for everything, and if something is important to you, keep bringing it to Him. God is not deaf; He wants to see your commitment and trust. Your patience during the wait reveals your true character and areas for growth. If you persist in faith, God will answer at the right time.
Second, the goodness of God should be the foundation of our prayers. Many of us have prayed sincerely, but our prayers were not answered as we wished. Despite asking the right things with good intentions and attitudes, God's response might seem unclear. In such situations, remember God's goodness. God has no harmful intentions; He is our loving Father in heaven. Sometimes, what we ask for may seem harmless, but God knows the potential harm. It is like a toddler wanting a dangerous object; the father understands the risk. Also, our timing might not align with God's perfect timing. Sometimes, what we are asking for is not meant for us. Trust that God knows exactly what we need.
When you pray, let the goodness of God be the basis of your prayers. Find comfort and rest in His goodness.
May God bless us all!
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