The Sermon on the Mount
Matthew 5 - 7
Chapter 7
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone
who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If
you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in
heaven give good things to those who ask Him?
What does this mean?
Explanation of Matthew 7:7-11
This passage from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount addresses the themes of prayer, trust in God, and the assurance of
God's goodness. Here’s a detailed biblical explanation of each part:
"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you."
- Explanation: Jesus encourages His followers to actively seek God's help and guidance through prayer. "Ask, seek,
and knock" represent different forms of prayer and pursuit of God's will. Asking implies making requests,
seeking suggests actively pursuing God's will and wisdom, and knocking indicates persistence in approaching God.
The promise is that those who do these things will receive, find, and have doors opened to them, indicating
God's responsiveness to sincere prayer.
"For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened."
- Explanation: Jesus reinforces the promise that God responds to those who pray. Everyone who asks, seeks, and
knocks will receive an answer from God. This universal promise highlights God's willingness to engage with His
people and provide for their needs. It emphasizes the importance of persistent and faithful prayer.
"Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a
snake?"
- Explanation: Jesus uses a rhetorical question to illustrate the goodness and reliability of God as a Father. No
loving parent would deceive their child by giving them something harmful or useless when they ask for something
necessary and good. Bread and fish were common foods, symbolizing basic needs. Stones and snakes represent
harmful or worthless substitutes.
"If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in
heaven give good things to those who ask Him?"
- Explanation: Jesus contrasts human parents with God. Even though human beings are flawed and sinful ("evil"),
they still know how to give good gifts to their children out of love and care. If imperfect human parents can do
this, how much more will the perfect and loving heavenly Father give good things to those who ask Him? This
comparison emphasizes God's greater goodness and generosity.
Summary:
In this passage, Jesus teaches about the importance of prayer and the assurance of God's goodness in responding to
His people's needs. He encourages believers to ask, seek, and knock, promising that God will answer, be found, and
open doors for them. The rhetorical questions about a parent giving good gifts to their children illustrate God's
reliable and loving nature. If flawed human parents know how to care for their children, God, who is perfect, will
certainly provide good things to those who ask Him. This passage underscores the importance of trusting in God's
goodness and being persistent in prayer, confident that God will provide what is best for His children.
