Devine Scripture

Luke 11:9

What does Luke 11:9 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 11:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 11:9 means

Jesus now directly exhorts His disciples to pray with unwavering resolve using three strong imperatives: "Ask," "seek," and "knock." Each verb implies increasing intensity and determination in approaching God. "Ask" suggests a simple request, "seek" implies an active search, and "knock" suggests persistent effort to gain entry. The promised outcome is equally clear: the requests will be answered, the sought will be found, and the door will be opened.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And I say to you, Make requests, and they will be answered; what you are searching for, you will get; when you give the sign, the door will be open to you.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and I say to you, Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And I say to you: Ask, and it shall be given you: seek, and you shall find: knock, and it shall be opened to you.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And I say to you, Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you.

Context

Following the parable of the importunate friend, this verse transitions Jesus' teaching from the illustrative to the direct. It provides three clear commands for persistent prayer, building on the lesson of importunity. This instruction is immediately reinforced by the universal principle stated in the next verse, assuring a favorable response to such persistent prayer.

v.8I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will arise and give him as many as he needeth.

v.9This passage

v.10For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Matthew 21:22

    And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

  • Psalms 27:8

    When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Jehovah, will I seek.

  • Song of Solomon 5:6

    I opened to my beloved; But my beloved had withdrawn himself, and was gone. My soul had failed me when he spake: I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer.

  • John 1:45

    Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.

  • Matthew 7:7

    Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

  • Jeremiah 33:3

    Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and will show thee great things, and difficult, which thou knowest not.

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