Matthew 7:8 (WEB)
For everyone who asks receives. He who seeks finds. To him who knocks it will be opened.
Catechism · 1
“He can ask us to "seek" and to "knock," since he himself is the door and the way.” — Catechism footnote: Cf. Mt 7:7-11, 13-14.
Fathers and councils · 23
Gregory of Nyssa
“How then is the glory of the Almighty incommunicable, if it is even our duty to ask for the glory that cometh from the only God, and if, according to our Lord’s word, “every one that asketh receiveth?”” — editor's note: S. Matt. vii. 8
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Augustine of Hippo
““Ask, and ye shall have; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.”” — editor's note: Matt. vii. 7, 8.
Read the whole comment“But He, as I suppose, will show it to me seeking it: for so it it written, “He that seeketh shall find.”” — editor's note: Matt. vii. 8
Read the whole comment“Or if he ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?” — editor's note: Matt. vii. 7–10.
Read the whole comment“…to mind that an exalted kingdom had been promised to the seed of David, and in desire of it, could say not despairingly, but as asking, seeking, knocking, “Where are Thine ancient compassions, Lord, which Thou swarest unto David in Thy truth?” — editor's note: Matt. vii. 7, 8.
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Ambrose of Milan
“For the Father’s will is, that He be entreated through the Son, the Son’s that the Father be entreated.” — editor's note: S. John xvi. 23, 24, and xiv. 13; S. Matt. vii. 7, 8; S. Mark xi. 24.
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John Chrysostom
““To every careful thinker there is a gain” ( Prov. xiv. 23 , LXX.), saith the proverb; and Christ implied more than this, when He said, “He that seeketh findeth.” ( Matt. vii. 8.)” — the author cites it
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Jerome
““Every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.”” — editor's note: Matt. vii. 8.
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Aphrahat
“For our Lord said:—Every one that asketh receiveth, and he that seeketh findeth, and for him that knocketh it shall be opened.” — editor's note: Matt. vii. 8.
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Clement of Alexandria
““To him that asks,” it is said, “shall be given, and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.”” — editor's note: Matt. vii. 7, 8.
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Catena Aurea on Matthew
- JeromeCatena Aurea on Matthew
Having before forbidden us to pray for things of the flesh, He now shews what we ought to ask, saying, “Ask, and it shall be given you.”
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Matthew
Otherwise; when He commanded not to give the holy thing to dogs, and not to cast pearls before swine, the hearer conscious of his own ignorance might say, Why do you thus bid me not give the holy thing to dogs, when…
Read the whole comment - Pseudo-ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
Otherwise; Having given them some commands for the sanctification of prayer, saying, “Judge not,” He adds accordingly, “Ask, and it shall be given unto you,” as though He were to say, If ye observe this mercy towards…
Read the whole comment - Glossa OrdinariaCatena Aurea on Matthew
We ask with faith, we seek with hope, we knock with love. You must first ask that you may have; after that seek that you may find; and lastly, observe what you have found that you may enter in.
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Matthew
Asking, is that we may get healthiness of soul that we may be able to fulfil the things commanded us; seeking, pertains to the discovery of the truth. But when any has found the true way, he will then come into…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Matthew
How these three differ from one another, I have thought good to unfold with this travail; but it were better to refer them all to instant prayer; wherefore He afterwards concludes, saying, “He will give good things…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
And in that He adds “seek,” and “knock,” HE bids us ask with much importunateness and strength. For one who seeks, casts forth all other things from his mind, and is turned to that thing singly which he seeks; and he…
Read the whole comment - Pseudo-ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
He had said, “Ask, and ye shall receive;” which sinners hearing might perchance say, The Lord herein exhorts them that are worthy, but we are unworthy. Therefore He repeats it that He may commend the mercy of God to…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Matthew
Wherefore God hears sinners; for if He do not hear sinners, the Publican said in vain, “Lord, be merciful to me a sinner;” [Luke 18:13] and by that confession merited justification.
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Matthew
He who in faith offers supplication to God for the necessities of this life is heard mercifully, and not heard mercifully. For the physician knows better than the sick man what is good for his sickness. But if he…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Matthew
But the Lord is good, who often gives us not what we would, that He may give us what we should rather prefer.
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Matthew
There is need moreover of perseverance, that we may receive what we ask for.
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Matthew
In that God sometimes delays His gifts, He but recommends, and does not deny them. For that which is long looked for is sweeter when obtained; but that is held cheap, which comes at once. Ask then and seek things…
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Cross-references · 18
Parallel passages
Matthew 7:8 and Luke 11:10 share the same wording (17 words).
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