The term "knocked" in the biblical context often refers to the act of knocking on a door, symbolizing a request for entry or communication. This action is rich in spiritual significance, particularly in the teachings of Jesus Christ.

New Testament References

One of the most notable references to knocking is found in the teachings of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus encourages persistence in prayer and seeking God: "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you" (Matthew 7:7). Here, knocking is part of a triad of actions—asking, seeking, and knocking—that illustrate the believer's active pursuit of God's will and blessings. The promise that the door will be opened signifies God's readiness to respond to those who earnestly seek Him.

In the Book of Revelation, Jesus uses the metaphor of knocking to describe His desire for fellowship with believers: "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him, and he with Me" (Revelation 3:20). This passage is addressed to the church in Laodicea, emphasizing the personal relationship Christ seeks with each believer. The act of knocking represents Christ's invitation to intimacy and communion, contingent upon the individual's response.

Old Testament Context

While the specific act of knocking is less frequently mentioned in the Old Testament, the concept of seeking entry or communication with God is prevalent. The psalms often express a longing for God's presence and guidance, akin to knocking on the door of divine wisdom and mercy. For example, Psalm 24:7-9 speaks of opening the gates for the King of Glory, which can be seen as a metaphorical invitation for God's presence to enter one's life.

Theological Implications

The act of knocking in the Bible carries significant theological implications. It underscores the necessity of human initiative in the spiritual journey. While God's grace is freely given, the believer is called to actively seek and respond to God's presence. Knocking implies humility and recognition of one's need for God, as well as faith in His promise to respond.

Furthermore, the imagery of knocking highlights the personal nature of the Christian faith. It is not merely a set of doctrines or rituals but a dynamic relationship with a living God who desires to engage with His creation. The believer's response to Christ's knocking is a pivotal moment of decision, reflecting the openness of one's heart to divine fellowship.

In summary, the biblical concept of knocking serves as a powerful metaphor for prayer, persistence, and the invitation to a deeper relationship with God. It calls believers to actively engage with their faith, trusting in God's promise to open the door to those who earnestly seek Him.(imp. & p. p.) of Knock.2925. krouo -- to strike
... admittance. Word Origin a prim. verb Definition to strike NASB Word Usage
knock (4), knocked (1), knocking (1), knocks (3). knock. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2925.htm - 6k

The Man who Knocked at Midnight
... PART II. SOME BIBLE TYPES OF PRAYER XIV. THE MAN WHO KNOCKED AT MIDNIGHT.
"Lord, teach us to pray.""Luke 11.i. "Which of you shall ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/whyte/lord teach us to pray/xiv the man who knocked.htm

Ignorant Then How this Thy Image Should Subsist, I Should have ...
... Book VI Chapter IV Ignorant then how this Thy image should subsist, I
should have knocked and proposed the? Ignorant then how ...
/.../augustine/the confessions of saint augustine/chapter iv ignorant then how.htm

From St. Luke's Eleventh ChapterOther Evidence that Christ Comes ...
... In fine, if to receive, and to find, and to be admitted, is the fruit of labour
and earnestness to him who has asked, and sought, and knocked, understand that ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter xxvi from st lukes eleventh.htm

Special Practices of Uniformity.
... snowstorm. He knocked and knocked on the door, but all to no purpose because
the community being asleep, no one heard him. When ...
/.../de liguori/uniformity with gods will/5 special practices of uniformity.htm

The Return from the Sepulchre.
... some of the women, who were returning to Calvary to pray there, that this door,
as well as that of the super-room, would be opened to them whenever they knocked ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/chapter liii the return from.htm

The Poor in Spirit
... It may be that the conceit has been, as we say, knocked out of him, and
that he has been "taken down." Well! it is better to be ...
/.../peabody/mornings in the college chapel/xxii the poor in spirit.htm

The Sum and Substance of all Theology
... Oh, how long Jesus Christ stood at the door of my heart, and knocked, and
knocked, and knocked in vain! I:asked: "Why should I leave ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 62 1916/the sum and substance of.htm

How the Angel of God Put a Question to Brother Elias, Guardian of ...
... Whilst Brother Masseo was hesitating how he should act, whether or no he should
return with the message, the stranger knocked again as he had knocked before. ...
/.../ugolino/the little flowers of st francis of assisi/chapter iv how the angel.htm

Who's There?
... Since Commodore Perry steamed into the harbor of Yokohama, fifty years ago, with
open Bible and American flag, and knocked at the front door of the Orient, the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks with world winners/whos there.htm

The Friend at Midnight.
... bread. To the door of his nearest neighbour, accordingly, he went, and
knocked as the traveller had already knocked at his own. ...
/.../arnot/the parables of our lord/xviii the friend at midnight.htm

Knocked (4 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Knocked (4 Occurrences). ... (YLT). Acts 12:13 When Peter knocked
at the door of the gate, a maid named Rhoda came to answer. ...
/k/knocked.htm - 7k

Rhoda (1 Occurrence)
... A rose, the damsel in the house of Mary, the mother of John Mark. She came to hearken
when Peter knocked at the door of the gate (Acts 12:12-15). Int. ...
/r/rhoda.htm - 7k

Knock (7 Occurrences)
... Acts 12:13 When Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a maid named Rhoda came
to answer. (Root in WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/k/knock.htm - 11k

Spare (80 Occurrences)
... 19. (n.) The right of bowling again at a full set of pins, after having
knocked all the pins down in less than three bowls. If all ...
/s/spare.htm - 32k

Knocketh (4 Occurrences)

/k/knocketh.htm - 7k

Gateway (40 Occurrences)
... of sores, (DBY). Acts 12:13 When Peter knocked at the door of the gate,
a maid named Rhoda came to answer. (See RSV). Genesis 19:1 ...
/g/gateway.htm - 18k

Wicket (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Wicket (1 Occurrence). Acts 12:13 When he knocked at the
wicket in the door, a maidservant named Rhoda came to answer the knock; (WEY) ...
/w/wicket.htm - 7k

Entrance (190 Occurrences)
... Guards in front of the door kept the prison. (See NIV). Acts 12:13 When Peter knocked
at the door of the gate, a maid named Rhoda came to answer. (See NIV). ...
/e/entrance.htm - 37k

Entry (36 Occurrences)
... entreated Him. (WEY). Acts 12:13 And when he had knocked at the door of the
entry, a maid came to listen, by name Rhoda; (DBY). Acts 12 ...
/e/entry.htm - 18k

Damsel (43 Occurrences)
... He saith, I am not. (KJV WBS). Acts 12:13 And as Peter knocked at the door of
the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda. (KJV WBS YLT). ...
/d/damsel.htm - 20k

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