SEV Biblia, Chapter 11:9
Y yo os digo: Pedid, y se os dar; buscad, y hallaris; tocad, y os ser abierto.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Luke 11:9
Verse 9. And (or, therefore) I say unto you, Ask] Be importunate with God, not so much to prevail on him to save you, as to get yourselves brought into a proper disposition to receive that mercy which he is ever disposed to give. He who is not importunate for the salvation of his soul does not feel the need of being saved; and were God to communicate his mercy to such they could not be expected to be grateful for it, as favours are only prized and esteemed in proportion to the sense men have of their necessity and importance. See this subject explained Matt. vii. 7, 8.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 9. And I say unto you, ask, and it shall be given you , etc.] This is said by Christ, to encourage to prayer, and importunity in it; that if any one asks of God, in the name of Christ, and in faith, whether it be bread for the body, or food for the soul; or any blessing whatever, whether temporal or spiritual, it shall be given; not according to their deserts, but according to the riches of the grace of God; who is rich unto all that call upon him, in sincerity and truth: seek, and ye shall find : whether it be Christ, the pearl of great price, or God in Christ; or particularly, pardoning grace and mercy through Christ, or the knowledge of divine things; and both grace here, and glory hereafter, as men seek for hidden treasure; such shall not lose their labour, but shall enjoy all these valuable things, and whatever they are by prayer, and in the use of other means, seeking after: knock, and it shall be opened to you ; the door of mercy with God; the door of fellowship with Christ; the door of the Gospel, and the mysteries of it and of the Gospel dispensation and church state, into which is admission, to all that seek; and the door of heaven, into which there is entrance by the blood of Jesus: the several phrases denote prayer, the continuance of it, and importunity in it; (see Gill on Matthew 7:7) Ver. 10. For every one that asketh receiveth , etc.] Some indeed ask and receive not, because they ask amiss, ( James 4:3) who either apply to a wrong person, or ask in a wrong manner, or from wrong principles, or with wrong ends in view: but when a man is right in the object of prayer, and in the matter and manner of prayer, and in the end he proposes to himself, let him be what he will, of whatsoever nation, or ever mean a person, he has the petitions which he asks, either immediately, or, at least, he may be assured he shall have them in God's due time: and he that seeketh findeth ; whoever not only prays, but makes use of means, as attendance on other ordinances, and is diligent in the use of them, sooner or later finds his account herein, and what his soul seeks for: and to him that knocketh it shall be opened ; not only who prays heartily, and seeks diligently, but who is importunate, and will have no denial; continues knocking; though there may be some time a seeming delay, yet the door will not always be shut to him; after much knocking it will be opened; (see Gill on Matthew 7:8) Ver. 11. If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father , etc.] Our Lord illustrates and confirms what he had said before by an instance common among men: the relation between a father and a son is natural, and it is very near; and it is usual for a son, when hungry, and at the proper times of meals, to ask bread of his father: and when he does, will he give him a stone ? should he do so, he would show that his heart was as hard, or harder than the stone he gives: or if he ask a fish, will he, for a fish, give him a serpent ? And endeavour to deceive him by the likeness of the one to the other, especially some sort of fish, which would poison or sting him, but not refresh and nourish him: such inhuman brutish parents are not surely to be found; (see Gill on Matthew 7:9), (see Gill on Matthew 7:10).
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 5-13 - Christ encourages fervency and constancy in prayer. We must come for what we need, as a man does to his neighbour or friend, who is kind to him. We must come for bread; for that which is needful. If God does no answer our prayers speedily, yet he will in due time, if we continue to pray. Observe what to pray for; we must ask for the Holy Spirit, no only as necessary in order to our praying well, but as all spiritual blessings are included in that one. For by the influences of the Holy Spirit we are brought to know God and ourselves, to repent, believe in and love Christ, and so are made comfortable in this world, and mee for happiness in the next. All these blessings our heavenly Father i more ready to bestow on every one that asks for them, than an indulgen parent is to give food to a hungry child. And this is the advantage of the prayer of faith, that it quiets and establishes the heart in God.
Greek Textus Receptus
καγω 2504 P-1NS-C υμιν 5213 P-2DP λεγω 3004 5719 V-PAI-1S αιτειτε 154 5720 V-PAM-2P και 2532 CONJ δοθησεται 1325 5701 V-FPI-3S υμιν 5213 P-2DP ζητειτε 2212 5720 V-PAM-2P και 2532 CONJ ευρησετε 2147 5692 V-FAI-2P κρουετε 2925 5720 V-PAM-2P και 2532 CONJ ανοιγησεται 455 5691 V-2FPI-3S υμιν 5213 P-2DP
Vincent's NT Word Studies
9. Ask (aiteite). The word for the asking of an inferior (Acts xii. 20; iii. 2); and hence of man from God (Matt. vii. 7; Jas. i. 5). Christ never uses the word of his own asking from the Father, but always ejrwtw, as asking on equal terms. Martha shows her low conception of his person when she uses the term of his asking God (John xi. 22). 8 Ask, seek, knock. "The three repetitions of the command are more than mere repetitions; since to seek is more than to ask, and to knock than to seek" (Trench, "Parables").
Robertson's NT Word Studies
11:9 {Shall be opened} (anoigesetai). Second future passive third singular of anoignumi and the later anoigw.
