In the Bible, the concept of "knocking" is often used metaphorically to describe seeking, requesting, or desiring entry or attention. This imagery is employed in both the Old and New Testaments to convey spiritual truths and principles.

Old Testament References

While the specific act of knocking is not frequently mentioned in the Old Testament, the idea of seeking entry or access is present. For example, in the Song of Solomon, the beloved knocks at the door, seeking entry and intimacy (Song of Solomon 5:2). This passage is often interpreted allegorically, representing the relationship between God and His people, where God seeks a close and personal relationship with His followers.

New Testament References

The New Testament provides more explicit references to knocking, particularly in the teachings of Jesus. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus uses the metaphor of knocking to illustrate the persistence and faith required in prayer: "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you" (Matthew 7:7). This passage emphasizes the importance of actively pursuing a relationship with God and trusting in His willingness to respond to sincere requests.

In the Gospel of Luke, a similar teaching is presented, reinforcing the idea that God is attentive to those who earnestly seek Him: "For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened" (Luke 11:10). This promise assures believers that their efforts to reach out to God will not be in vain.

Revelation and the Call to Repentance

One of the most well-known uses of the knocking metaphor is found in the Book of Revelation. Jesus addresses the church in Laodicea with a call to repentance and renewal: "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 verse is often interpreted as an invitation for individuals to open their hearts to Christ, allowing Him to enter and transform their lives. It underscores the personal nature of salvation and the willingness of Christ to fellowship with those who respond to His call.

Theological Implications

The imagery of knocking in the Bible carries significant theological implications. It highlights the active role of believers in seeking God and the assurance of His responsiveness. The act of knocking suggests persistence, humility, and a recognition of one's need for divine intervention. It also reflects the openness of God to those who approach Him with sincerity and faith.

In summary, the concept of knocking in the Bible serves as a powerful metaphor for the believer's pursuit of God and the promise of His attentive response. It encourages a proactive approach to faith, emphasizing the importance of prayer, repentance, and a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.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 - 6k5307. naphal -- to fall, lie
... 1), fell (98), fell down (8), felled (1), felling (1), give birth (1), go over
(1), going over (2), gone over (3), inferior (2), killed (1), knocks (1), lay (1 ...
/hebrew/5307.htm - 7k

The Man who Knocked at Midnight
... lend me three loaves! For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have
nothing to set before him!" He knocks again. "Friend! ... He knocks again. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/whyte/lord teach us to pray/xiv the man who knocked.htm

Jesus Christ, the Divine Teacher of Prayer
... set before him! He knocks again. "Friend! lend me three loaves?" He waits
a while and then knocks again. "Friend! I must have ...
/.../bounds/the reality of prayer/v jesus christ the divine.htm

Our Knocking
... to take and to open. Christ knocks first, and when He knocks we should say,
'Come in, Thou blessed of the Lord.'. To bid a man pray ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/our knocking.htm

John Chapter xiii. 10-Jun (Continued), and Song of Sol. v. 2, 3
... 4. But while the Church finds delightful repose in those who thus sweetly and humbly
sit at her feet, here is one who knocks, and says: "What I tell you in ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate lvii john chapter xiii.htm

Book Twelve the Mode of Creation and the Truth of Scripture. ...
... Inquiry is more loquacious than discovery. Demanding takes longer than obtaining;
and the hand that knocks is more active than the hand that receives. ...
/.../augustine/confessions and enchiridion/book twelve the mode of.htm

"A Day of Decision. "
... There is a day when the Son of Man comes and stands at our heart and knocks
and knocks for the last time and leaves us forever. ...
/.../moody/moodys anecdotes and illustrations/a day of decision.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xxii. 42, Where the Lord Asks ...
... It is the life which knocks, it is to the life that it is opened. ... Now that heart
which asks rightly, and knocks and seeks rightly, must be godly. ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon xli on the words.htm

John Chapter vii. 37-39
... for us to enter. Piety knocks, not the hand, though the hand also knocks,
if it cease not from works of mercy. What then is the ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate xxxii john chapter vii.htm

Persistence of Thwarted Love
... He says, 'Come!' We say, 'I will not.' That door of the heart opens from within,
and He never breaks it open. He stands at the door and knocks. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/persistence of thwarted love.htm

A Call to Prayer and Testimony
... him three cakes. He knocks at the door, but he has no answer. He knocks,
and knocks, and calls aloud to his neighbor. The answer ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/a call to prayer and.htm

Knocks (5 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Knocks (5 Occurrences). Matthew 7:8 For everyone who asks
receives. He who seeks finds. To him who knocks it will be opened. ...
/k/knocks.htm - 7k

Door (249 Occurrences)
... (WEY BBE WBS NIV). Matthew 7:8 For it is always he who asks that receives, he who
seeks that finds, and he who knocks that has the door opened to him. ...
/d/door.htm - 40k

Opened (182 Occurrences)
... He who seeks finds. To him who knocks it will be opened. (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS
YLT NAS RSV NIV). ... He who seeks finds. To him who knocks it will be opened. ...
/o/opened.htm - 36k

Finds (71 Occurrences)
... He who seeks finds. To him who knocks it will be opened. (WEB WEY DBY NAS RSV
NIV). ... He who seeks finds. To him who knocks it will be opened. ...
/f/finds.htm - 24k

Receives (43 Occurrences)
... He who seeks finds. To him who knocks it will be opened. (WEB WEY DBY NAS RSV
NIV). ... He who seeks finds. To him who knocks it will be opened. ...
/r/receives.htm - 17k

Asks (41 Occurrences)
... He who seeks finds. To him who knocks it will be opened. (WEB WEY DBY NAS RSV
NIV). ... He who seeks finds. To him who knocks it will be opened. ...
/a/asks.htm - 18k

Seeks (48 Occurrences)
... He who seeks finds. To him who knocks it will be opened. (WEB WEY DBY NAS RSV
NIV). ... He who seeks finds. To him who knocks it will be opened. ...
/s/seeks.htm - 19k

Open (586 Occurrences)
... Matthew 7:8 For everyone who asks receives. He who seeks finds. To him who knocks
it will be opened. ... He who seeks finds. To him who knocks it will be opened. ...
/o/open.htm - 41k

Knop (4 Occurrences)

/k/knop.htm - 9k

Knocking (9 Occurrences)

/k/knocking.htm - 9k

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