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Explanation for:
Matthew
7
:
8
For every one that asketh, receiveth: and he that seeketh, findeth: and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened.
11
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{"arr":[{"author-name":"Jerome of Stridon","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88dcd3432c6dd41375498_Jerome%20of%20Stridon.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"He who once prohibited the desire for worldly things now instructs us on what we ought to pursue. For, if to those who ask, it is bestowed, and if those who seek discover, and to those who knock it is made known, then it follows that the one who does not receive, who does not discover, and to whom it is not revealed is someone who does not ask, seek, or knock as he should. Consequently, he will be directed to the door of Christ, of which it is written, “Behold the gate of the Lord; the righteous shall enter in” (Psalm 117:20). Thus, when we enter through it, the concealed treasures in Christ Jesus, in whom all wisdom resides, may be disclosed to us."},{"author-name":"Ambrose of Milan","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88871ceef8c96e0998cd0_Ambrose%20of%20Milan.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"In studying the Gospels, we must engage in careful thought to better identify the truth: he who seeks will discover, and to the one who knocks, it will be opened. Passion for truth unlocks its door, prompting us to adhere to divine commandments. Humanity is uniquely instructed with words that no other creature receives: \\"In the sweat of your face you shall eat your bread\\" (Genesis 3:19). God directed the earth to produce food for the animals, which, by their nature, lack reason (cf. Gen. 1:11). Only humans, endowed with reasoning abilities, are tasked with laboring to secure their sustenance. Those who are not content with the nourishment provided by other creatures or who desire the fruits of the tree that God has made available to all (cf. Gen. 2:16) and who seek diverse delicacies by journeying across the seas should also be willing to engage in a small amount of work for the sake of everlasting life. If someone approaches the pursuit of sacred truth by shedding the burdens of this flawed life, laying aside all malice, and, like an athlete of faith, anointing their spirit with the oil of the Holy Spirit, entering into the contest for wisdom, they will receive the eternal reward of a holy crown, for the outcomes of good deeds are commendable (Prem. 3:15), and with greater exertion comes a more splendid reward for virtues (cf. 2 Tim. 4:8)."},{"author-name":"Augustine of Hippo","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88950a5c988a4fc06c7ae_Augustine%20of%20Hippo.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":5,"exegesis-text":"When it is mentioned, “Give not your holy things to the dogs, nor cast your pearls before swine” (Matt. 7:6), the listener, acknowledging his own limitations and recognizing the directive not to offer what he has not yet received, might inquire, “What holy gifts should I refrain from giving to the dogs, and what pearls should I avoid casting before swine, especially when I do not yet grasp that I hold them?” The Lord provided a profound response, stating, “Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you; for everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” Asking pertains to earnestly requesting healing and the fortitude of the spirit necessary to comply with God's commands; seeking involves the quest for truth. Since the blessed life encompasses both action and contemplation, action demands significant strength, while contemplation seeks understanding. Among these two, the former should be requested, and the latter should be pursued so that one may receive the former and attain the latter. Yet, understanding the way in this life holds greater significance than merely possessing it. Once one discovers the true path, the corresponding possession will also be granted to the one who seeks. Thus, to illustrate the importance of these three actions—petition, pursuit, and knocking—consider a man who is unable to walk due to his leg weakness. His first necessity is healing and empowerment to walk, which aligns with the Lord's encouragement to “Ask.”"},{"author-name":"Theophylact of Bulgaria","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8989296bafed9104677d7_Theophylact%20of%20Bulgaria.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":11,"exegesis-text":"Before the Lord instructed us on the significant and challenging task, He demonstrates how it can be achieved through persistent prayer. He stated ‘ask’ rather than ‘ask continually,’ yet He did not mention ‘ask only once.’ He then reinforces this teaching by providing a human example."},{"author-name":"Euthymios Zigabenos","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":11,"exegesis-text":"The individual who, free from emotional turmoil, inquires about performing a righteous act, is granted the divine ability to fulfill the commandments. The one who, with a calm demeanor, seeks to understand the essence of things, discovers the truth that lies within. Ultimately, the person who, unclouded by passions, endeavors to gain insight into theological teachings will have the knowledge of profound mysteries unveiled to them. Conversely, the person who approaches with any form of passion in their inquiries will fail to attain their goals. \\"Ask,\\" He states, \\"and you will not receive, because you ask with wrong motives\\" (James 4:3). This serves as a confirmation of His promise, emphasizing that one should not lose heart when immediate results are not evident, but rather persevere with fervent desire. Thus, He may delay granting your request, so that you are encouraged to seek more diligently, and He may not promptly open the door, to inspire you to press forward. In human interactions, persistence can often lead to annoyance, but this is not the case with God; instead, He is sorrowed when you do not persist, for He desires your steadfastness and fervor. He longs for you to ask with passion and determination, and in such instances, He surely will provide. However, if someone requests and does not receive, it may be because their request was made unworthily, or through a lack of zeal, or too insistently. Therefore, these three elements must be harmoniously integrated."},{"author-name":"Abbot Panteleimon about the Trinity","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The gifts of grace are accessible to all; this is guaranteed by the Lord of these gifts, who abounds in grace and offers this promise directly to you: “FOR EVERYONE,” He declares, “WHO ASKS RECEIVES, AND WHO SEEKS FINDS, AND TO THOSE WHO KNOCK, IT WILL BE OPENED.”"},{"author-name":"Philaret (Amphiteatrov)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c896e9b7a2ebaf99e4620a_Philaret%20(Amphiteatrov).png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":19,"exegesis-text":"O God our Redeemer, the assurances You provide to us, unworthy sinners, regarding the abundance of Your eternally blessed kingdom are so vast that they surpass our imagination. In order to receive the joy that You have promised, Your commandments call for us to embody angelic purity and a holy heart, along with the fulfillment of the virtues of the Gospel. However, the frailty of our sin-influenced nature is so profound that we are unable to take even a single step toward a genuinely holy and virtuous existence on our own. The dilemma faced by repentant sinners turning to God finds resolution in the teachings of Jesus Christ. If you lack the strength to faithfully adhere to the commandments of the Gospel, beseech the Almighty God for fortitude, and He will provide you with the empowering grace of the Holy Spirit. The divine treasure of God’s grace is obscured from you by your transgressions; pursue it earnestly with the illumination of God’s word, and you will undoubtedly discover it within your heart. The awareness of your sinfulness and unworthiness may prevent you from boldly approaching your heavenly Father and entering His presence, yet knock at the door of His compassionate heart, and it will be opened to you. Every person, regardless of how great their sins may be, who sincerely asks, receives; he who earnestly seeks will find; and it shall be opened for him who persistently knocks. In light of this unchangeable promise from the very source of eternal Truth, which unrepentant sinner would dare lose hope in God’s mercy or in the prospect of salvation? Moreover, to further strengthen the faith of believers in the eternal readiness of our heavenly Father to hear our cries and to generously bestow upon us His goodness, the Saviour cites the affection that earthly fathers hold for their children (see Matthew 7:9-10)."},{"author-name":"Gladkow B.I.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88bf0ceef8c96e09a6521_Gladkow%20B.I..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Ask, and it will be given to you. With these final words, Jesus concluded His teaching on how to enter the kingdom of heaven. Some of His listeners may have found His teachings challenging or the burden He placed upon them overwhelming. Shortly after, His disciples expressed their concerns, asking, \\"Who then can be saved?\\" (Matthew 19:25). On a different occasion, He clarified that the burden He places on those seeking salvation is light and the yoke is gracious (Matthew 11:30). As He wrapped up His Sermon on the Mount, He urged His audience to remain steadfast in their pursuit: Seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you (Matthew 7:7). However, it is essential to remember that this quest for the Kingdom of Heaven cannot be accomplished by human strength alone; divine assistance is necessary. Thus, pray, ask, and it will be given to you. Anyone who diligently searches will find, and those who knock persistently will have the door opened to them. Is there anyone among you who, when his son requests bread, would give him a stone? Or if he asks for fish, would offer a serpent? If you, being sinful, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father provide good things to those who ask Him? Many grumble against God for not receiving instant responses to their petitions and may even turn to despair or, worse, disbelief. As Chrysostom wisely pointed out, if you do not receive promptly, do not lose hope; Christ has taught that one must continue knocking, suggesting that if the door does not open right away, patience is required. If you persistently seek God, you will receive what you ask for, even if it takes time. The door is sometimes closed to encourage you to strive harder; thus, you must keep asking. But if you wonder, what if I ask and do not receive?—the Savior offers a parable to guide you on what truly should be requested. Is there any among you who, when asked by his son for bread, would give him a stone? Therefore, if you find yourself not receiving, it may be because you are asking for what is not beneficial. Being a child of God does not automatically guarantee that all requests will be granted, especially if they are for things that do not serve your spiritual growth. Do not seek worldly items; rather, aim for spiritual treasures, and you will undoubtedly receive them. If you wonder why you do not see answers to your spiritual petitions, the reason could be that you are not seeking diligently, you may not be worthy of what you ask, or you may have stopped asking altogether. Yet you might question, why did the Savior not specify what to request? He has already given enough guidance earlier (St. John Chrysostom. Conversations on the Gospel of Matthew. 23). He instructed: Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things (referring to earthly concerns) will be added to you (Matthew 6:33). Should we truly dismiss all earthly matters as if they are merely stones unworthy of our Heavenly Father's attention? Did not Christ Himself teach us to pray for our daily bread? That provision indeed encompasses everything essential for sustaining human life. After all, Jesus prayed for the sick and healed them, demonstrating that it is permissible to request health and deliverance from ailments. Since bodily well-being is crucial for life, similar to food, drink, and other necessities, we must conclude that while Christ did not forbid asking for worldly or temporary goods, His primary intent in the exhortation of \\"Ask and it will be given to you\\" was to guide us toward desiring that which leads to eternal life. Through this encouragement, He promised His disciples and all listeners divine assistance in obeying His commandments and bearing the yoke He prescribed. In essence, this yoke is lighter than it may initially appear. All of Christ’s commands, all that He asks of us, can be distilled into His concluding statement: In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you."},{"author-name":"Paul Matwejewski","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8969f5be0d592d5a10576_Paul%20Matwejewski.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Patience and Perseverance \\nIn instituting moral principles for His followers, Christ the Savior called for their patience and perseverance on the journey of salvation they had committed to. This path is fraught with numerous dangers and temptations that can impede one’s ascent to heaven. Yet, the Lord revealed to His disciples the means to surmount these hurdles through diligent and persistent prayer to the heavenly Father, who graciously responds to those who earnestly seek His help. Additionally, He urged them to strive tirelessly and fervently toward their ultimate destination—the Kingdom of Heaven—avoiding the enticing words of false prophets, and instead embodying the teachings He proclaimed in their daily lives. \\"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you; for everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.\\" Through these relatable illustrations, Jesus Christ emphasized the importance of steadfast, ongoing prayer to God, who is the source of all blessings. Even though the All-Knowing One is aware of our needs before we express them, and in His mercy is ready to provide for our every requirement, our heartfelt and humble prayers signify our faith and love for Him. St. Philaret of Moscow noted that \\"he who does not ask for grace from God is unable to receive it, having a heart that is closed.\\" St. John Chrysostom further explained that when others are not heard, it is often because they request things that are of no value; in such instances, it is preferable to remain unheard than to receive that which might not serve our good. Jesus illustrated this understanding through the analogy of a father responding to his son's needs: \\"Or who among you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent?\\" Following this, He highlighted the difference between earthly and divine goodness, stating: \\"If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father, who knows when and how to give, give good things to those who ask Him.\\""},{"author-name":"Bogolepow D.P.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"In the guidance starting from 7:7, it is essential to note that there is a dual focus: while it is clear that the teachings oppose the practices and beliefs of the Pharisees, some topics, such as prayer and love for one's neighbor, revisit themes previously addressed. Thus, everything from 7:7 onward can be understood as concluding instructions that provide vital insights on attaining the truth and the moral excellence that Christ demands from His disciples. This entails, first and foremost, a deep commitment to prayer directed towards God, with unwavering faith that the infinitely good Father will answer our requests in His own time (7:11). \\n\\nThe words of Christ emphasize that “All the more your heavenly Father will give good things to those who ask Him” (11:13). Luke adds that He will bestow the Holy Spirit upon those who seek Him. Among the numerous blessings that the heavenly Father showers upon believers in Christ, the most significant is highlighted, as its reception ensures that all other blessings will surely follow."},{"author-name":"Alexander Gorsky","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8884037c1e1c51e1332e2_Alexander%20Gorsky.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"In summary, the Lord instructed that in every situation, we should consistently seek God through prayer. Our attitude towards others should be guided by the principle that our love for them must be as strong as our love for ourselves. We should train ourselves to traverse the narrow path, be cautious of false prophets, and fulfill the teachings we have received. By establishing these life principles for His disciples, the Lord defined the key differences between their righteousness and that of the Pharisees, providing a solid foundation for the spiritual growth of His chosen community. These teachings were not only meant for the time and specific individuals but were intended as a guiding standard for all His followers, rooted in the eternal truths of Divine holiness and the fundamental moral laws mandated by the Creator within human nature. \\n\\nThe elect had not sought formal education elsewhere, aside from a brief time among John’s disciples; this included individuals like Andrew and John. The Lord selected those who demonstrated genuine love and trust in Him, untainted by misguided notions of enlightenment, and took it upon Himself to educate them. He instructed them not just through words but also through His actions, whether in solitude or amidst the crowd, in homes, on paths, on land, and on the sea. What remained unclear to others, He illuminated for them. They served as constant witnesses to His life and miracles; He steadily removed the biases they carried from Jewish teachings. While He did not erase all their misunderstandings, He transformed them into personal lessons, encouraging them to engage in discussions about familiar topics without allowing them to forget that He was aware of not only their dialogues but also the hidden thoughts of all men. He tempered their emotional responses and aligned their hearts with their responsibilities. In essence, He purified and enlightened their minds and souls, preparing them for the complete outpouring of the Spirit of truth and sanctification. Initially, they were disciples of the Lord, but at the conclusion of His ministry, He referred to them as friends (Jn. 15:14-15) since He revealed everything to them, ultimately calling them brothers."}]}
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