Jump to: ISBE • Easton's • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia In biblical literature, the concept of "knock" is often associated with seeking, persistence, and the promise of divine response. The act of knocking is used metaphorically to describe the approach of a believer towards God, emphasizing the importance of perseverance in prayer and the assurance of God's willingness to respond.New Testament References One of the most well-known references to "knock" is found in the teachings of Jesus during the Sermon on the Mount. In Matthew 7:7-8 , Jesus instructs His followers: "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; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." This passage highlights the progressive nature of seeking God's will and blessings, with "knock" symbolizing the earnest and active pursuit of divine intervention. In Luke 11:9-10 , a parallel passage reiterates this teaching: "So I say to you, 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; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." Here, the context is a discourse on prayer, where Jesus encourages His disciples to be persistent and confident in their petitions to God. Revelation and the Call to Repentance The imagery of knocking is also used in Revelation 3:20 , where Jesus addresses the church in Laodicea: "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." This verse portrays Jesus as the one who initiates the relationship, standing at the door of the human heart and seeking entry. It serves as a call to repentance and fellowship, emphasizing the personal and intimate nature of the relationship between Christ and the believer. Old Testament Parallels While the specific term "knock" is not prevalent in the Old Testament, the concept of seeking God with persistence and expectation is a recurring theme. For instance, in Proverbs 8:34 , wisdom is personified and says, "Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at the posts of my doorway." This verse underscores the importance of vigilance and readiness to receive divine wisdom and guidance. Theological Implications The act of knocking, as presented in the Bible, carries significant theological implications. It suggests an active faith that is not passive but involves a deliberate and continuous effort to engage with God. The promise that the door will be opened to those who knock reflects God's faithfulness and readiness to respond to sincere seekers. It also implies a relational dynamic where God desires to be approached and is willing to reveal Himself to those who earnestly seek Him. In summary, the biblical concept of "knock" serves as a powerful metaphor for the believer's pursuit of God, characterized by persistence, expectation, and the assurance of divine response. Easton's Bible Dictionary "Though Orientals are very jealous of their privacy, they never knock when about to enter your room, but walk in without warning or ceremony. It is nearly impossible to teach an Arab servant to knock at your door. They give warning at the outer gate either by calling or knocking. To stand and call is a very common and respectful mode. Thus Moses commanded the holder of a pledge to stand without and call to the owner to come forth (Deuteronomy 24:10). This was to avoid the violent intrusion of cruel creditors. Peter stood knocking at the outer door (Acts 12:13, 16), and the three men sent to Joppa by Cornelius made inquiry and `stood before the gate' (10:17, 18). The idea is that the guard over your privacy is to be placed at the entrance."Knocking is used as a sign of importunity (Matthew 7:7, 8; Luke 13:25), and of the coming of Christ (Luke 12:36; Revelation 3:20). Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (v. i.) To drive or be driven against something; to strike against something; to clash; as, one heavy body knocks against another.2. (v. i.) To strike or beat with something hard or heavy; to rap; as, to knock with a club; to knock on the door. 3. (v. t.) To strike with something hard or heavy; to move by striking; to drive (a thing) against something; as, to knock a ball with a bat; to knock the head against a post; to knock a lamp off the table. 4. (v. t.) To strike for admittance; to rap upon, as a door. 5. (n.) A blow; a stroke with something hard or heavy; a jar. 6. (n.) A stroke, as on a door for admittance; a rap. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia KNOCKnok (krouo): The oriental house was fitted with heavy doors which were bolted and locked with wooden keys too large to be carried about, so that even a member of the household could not secure entrance until in response to his knock or call the door should be opened by someone within. At night the delay would be increased by the difficulty of arousing the inmates sleeping within the inner chambers. To persons familiar with such experiences, the words of Jesus concerning a higher entrance, "Knock, and it shall be opened unto you" (Matthew 7:7 Luke 12:36), would have a unique force not easy for us to appreciate. Greek 2925. krouo -- to strike ... to strike. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: krouo Phonetic Spelling: (kroo'-o) Short Definition: I knock Definition: I knock, beat a door with a stick, ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2925.htm - 6k 3960. patasso -- to beat (of the heart), to strike Strong's Hebrew 1849. daphaq -- to beat, knock... daphaq. 1850 . to beat, knock. Transliteration: daphaq Phonetic Spelling: (daw-fak') Short Definition: hard. Word Origin a prim. ... beat, knock, overdrive. ... /hebrew/1849.htm - 6k 5368. neqash -- to knock 5367. naqash -- to knock, strike, hit, strike or bring down 1850. Dophqah -- a place in the desert 2251. chabat -- to beat off, beat out 5362. naqaph -- to strike off Library The Last Knock What are we to Think of It, that Most People So Blindly Knock ... Behold, I Stand at the Door and Knock On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xvii. 19, "Why could not we Cast ... On the Words of the Gospel, Luke xi. 5, "Which of You Shall have a ... Communion Again Broken --Restoration On the Words of the Gospel, John vi. 55,"For My Flesh is Meat ... The Man who Knocked at Midnight The Three Essentials of Prayer On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. vii. 7, "Ask, and it Shall be ... Thesaurus Knock (7 Occurrences)... "Though Orientals are very jealous of their privacy, they never knock when about to enter your room, but walk in without warning or ceremony. ... /k/knock.htm - 11k Knocking (9 Occurrences) Door (249 Occurrences) Knobs (9 Occurrences) Open (586 Occurrences) Knocks (5 Occurrences) Knocked (4 Occurrences) Opened (182 Occurrences) Opens (30 Occurrences) Gets (122 Occurrences) Resources What did Jesus mean when He told us to ask, seek, and knock? | GotQuestions.orgWhat did Jesus mean when He said, “I stand at the door and knock” (Revelation 3:20)? | GotQuestions.org Should we allow false teachers into our home? | GotQuestions.org Knock: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Knock (7 Occurrences)Matthew 7:7 Luke 11:9 Luke 13:25 Acts 12:13 Revelation 3:20 Exodus 21:27 Nahum 2:10 Subtopics Related Terms |
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