Matthew 7:7-11

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 7:7-11

Ask , and it shall be given you , etc. Parallel passage: Luke 11:9-13 . Nearly verbally identical, but in the son's request, reads " egg " and " scorpion " for "bread" and "stone," and reverses the order of the sentences. In Luke the verses are closely connected ("and I say unto you") with the parable of the friend at midnight, which itself immediately follows the Lord's Prayer. It seems probable that, as with the Lord's Prayer ( Luke 6:9-13 , note), so with these... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 7:7-11

Encouragements for prayer. Jesus is revealing the Fatherhood of God, and now he is showing how that great truth is the basis of faith, and, in particular, the ground for confidence in prayer. I. THE CALL TO PRAYER . 1 . Thrice repeated. This threefold invitation shows us 2 . In varied forms. 3 . With promise of success. Prayer is more than confiding in God. It is not a voice crying in the dark for its own relief, and satisfied without any reply. It must be... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 7:7-12

Prayer. From the subject of giving our Lord turns to that of asking. The text instructs us in— I. THE NATURE OF PRAYER . 1 . It is asking. 2 . It is seeking. 3 . It is knocking. II. THE ENCOURAGEMENT TO PRAY . 1 . In the promises of God. 2 . In the character of the promises. III. THE CONDITIONS OF PRAYER . 1 . These are given in the promises. 2 . They are embodied in the golden rule. 3 . Apply this rule. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 7:8

For every one that asketh receiveth . Every one that asketh of God receiveth, for he is not the censorious Judge that you are inclined to be in your dealings with others. Therefore ask expectantly. He "giveth to all liberally, and upbraideth not" ( James 1:5 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 7:9-10

Or what man is there of you , etc.? Or. Is not what I say true? or—if you think not—what man of you yourselves would act otherwise towards his own son? Our Lord appeals to the experience and natural feelings of his hearers themselves to emphasize the readiness of the Father—"your Father," whose nature you share, and from whom you derive your feelings of fatherhood ( Ephesians 3:15 )—to grant the prayers of his children. Observe: read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 7:11

Parallel passage: Luke 11:13 . If ye then being evil . Application of the thought of Luke 11:9 , Luke 11:10 , with further emphasis on the evil of human nature. If you with your moral worthlessness ( Matthew 6:13 , note), etc. (cf. also Matthew 12:34 ). Being ( οντες ). The presence here in the parallel passage of Luke of his common word ὑπάρχοντες points to St. Matthew's form of the sentence being the more original. Know; intuitively ( οἴδατε ) . Notwithstanding,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 7:11

Human and Divine fatherhoods. God can only be apprehended by man through some relations that are familiar to man. It may be assumed that the highest, best, most universal, of human relations will be found most fittingly to represent him. The one relation which is universal, and universally esteemed the highest, is the parental. It is passing strange that any difficulty should be found in securing the thankful acceptance of the doctrine of the Divine Fatherhood. Probably men are hindered by... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 7:11-12

The improvement upon the earthly pattern. Although the "asking" in Matthew 7:7 was pressed on to the further developments of "seeking" and "knocking," our Lord returns here to the most generic form of application on the part of one person to another in his use of the word "ask," when he speaks of "them that ask him." But, perhaps, not only because this is the most generic description of application from one to another is the word used in this connection, but because further it embodies... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 7:7-11

Ask, and it shall be given you ... - 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.... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 7:7-11

Matthew 7:7-11. Ask, &c. The exhortation contained in these verses may be considered as connected with the caution given in those immediately preceding, and then the sense of it will be, If you be at a loss to know who are and who are not proper subjects of reproof or admonition; or to whom you may with propriety speak of the higher truths of Christianity, even of those of experimental religion, and therefore want wisdom to guide you in these difficulties, ask, and it shall be given... read more

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