<P> For a collection of other versions, see BibRef Matthew 7: 7 - 8 . </P> <P> The most common interpretation of these verses, which are also found at Luke 11: 9 - 10, is that they are a return to the issue of prayer, which was discussed in the last chapter and is quite clearly addressed by the subsequent verses . In this view asking, seeking, and knocking are all metaphors for the act of prayer . Hendriksen notes that asking implies humility, an inferior asking for aid from a superior . Morris notes that idea of seeking does not completely mesh with the prayer metaphor . The person praying who prays to God has obviously already decided that it is there that their answers are to be found . Morris feels that seeking in prayer means that the person does not know exactly what they need, and feel that they can seek the answer to this question through God . Fowler feels that the verb seek emphasizes the effort and concentration that must be put into prayer . Hendriksen summarizes this by describing seeking as "asking plus acting ." Knocking, according to France, was also a metaphor for prayer in the Jewish literature of this period . Later in Matthew, however, knocking will be a metaphor for gaining admittance to the Kingdom of Heaven . The present imperative tense used for the verbs in these verses . This implies that the asking, seeking, and knocking are all described as continuous actions, and this implies that prayer to be effective should also be a continual habit, rather than an occasional plea . Nolland posits that knocking may be linked to the Narrow Gate metaphor found in Matthew 7: 13 . </P> <P> The verse presents prayer as certain to be answered, and the following verses explain why this is . This of course cannot mean that every demand made of God will be met in full . Fowler notes that in Matthew 6: 5 - 13 Jesus has already laid out some rules for proper prayer . These verses thus cannot apply to all prayer, but only those who truly seek God . Christian theology has long tried to address the issue of prayers that seem unanswered . One notion is that God only gives good gifts . Even if you ask for something that will harm you, he will not provide it . Thus a prayer for wealth may not be answered, as such wealth may damage one's spiritual soul . </P> <P> In Matthew 6: 8 Jesus also states that prayer is not necessary as God knows what a person needs even before they ask him . Fowler feels that while prayer is not useful to God, it is useful to humans . If we do not have to toil through continuous prayer before receiving God's grace we will grow soft . The metaphor could also be one for religious study . Schwiezer notes that Rabbis of the period and the Qumran community both put important stress on the pursuit of religious knowledge . Both groups believed that the true believer should strive to get to know God and the Law . The asking, seeking, and knocking, may be searches for knowledge just as much as for aid . This verse can thus be read as a support for inquisitiveness . A third view, rejected by almost all scholars, is that these verses are outlining a specific religious ritual involving asking, seeking, and knocking, and that the verse is not a metaphor at all . Luz notes that this alternate interpretation was central to Gnosticism, and this was one of the defining verses of that branch of Christianity . To Gnostics the continuous seeking for the hidden God was a central part of their faith . By contrast most other Christian groups describe believers as those who have found God, not those who are still seeking . The verse is elaborated upon by saying 92 in the Gospel of Thomas . </P>

Where in the bible does it say ask and you will receive