Matthew 7:7

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

Matthew 7:7 Meaning and Commentary

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 chapter, had warned against an immoderate and anxious concern for; or of a spiritual nature, as grace, and wisdom to behave in a proper manner, both towards God and men: and such, who ask according to the will of God, in the name of Christ, and under the direction, guidance, and influence of the Spirit, who ask in faith and fear, and with submission to the divine will, shall have what they ask for; not as what they deserve, but as a free gift.

Seek, and ye shall find.
This is still meant of prayer, and of seeking God, his face and favour: which such shall find, who seek in a right way, by Christ, and with their whole hearts, diligently:

knock and it shall be opened unto you
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.

Matthew 7:7 In-Context

5 Hypocrite, first do out the beam of thine eye/do thou out first the beam of thine own eye, and then thou shalt see to do out the mote of the eye of thy brother. [+Hypocrite, cast out first the beam of thine eye, and then thou shalt see to cast out the fescue of the eye of thy brother.]

6 Do not ye give holy thing to hounds [Do not ye give holy things to hounds], neither cast ye your margarites before swine, lest peradventure they defoul them with their feet, and the hounds be turned, and tear you all to pieces.

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

8 For each that asketh, taketh; and he that seeketh, findeth; and it shall be opened to him, that knocketh.

9 What man of you is, that if his son ask him bread [Or who of you is a man, whom if his son ask bread], whether he will take him a stone?