Texts in Conversation
Jesus’s teaching to ask, seek, and find in Matthew reflects a wisdom tradition in Proverbs, where Wisdom promises to be found by those who search for her with effort and sincerity. It echoes a widespread tradition found in many Jewish and Hellenistic writings that those who diligently seek truth or wisdom will discover it.
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Proverbs 8:17
Hebrew Bible
15 By me, kings reign, and by me, potentates decree righteousness; 16 by me, princes rule, as well as nobles and all righteous judges. 17 I will love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently will find me. 18 Riches and honor are with me, long-lasting wealth and righteousness. 19 My fruit is better than the purest gold, and my harvest is better than choice silver.
Date: 6th-3rd Centuries B.C.E. (based on scholarly estimates)
Source
Matthew 7:7
New Testament
5 You hypocrite! First remove the beam from your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. 6 Do not give what is holy to dogs or throw your pearls before pigs; otherwise they will trample them under their feet and turn around and tear you to pieces. 7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened for you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 9 Is there anyone among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?
Date: 70-90 C.E. (based on scholarly estimates)
Source
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Notes and References
"... To seek God: Jeremiah 29:13-14 (parallels “to find”); Isaiah 65:1 (not seek—find); Isaiah 55:6 (parallels “to find”); Sirach 32:14 Hebrew; 1QS 1:1-2; compare 5.11; about wisdom, Proverbs 1:28; 8:17; 4 Ezra 5:9-10 (seek—not find). Greek sources: Plato Timmaeus 28c (it is not easy to find the heavenly Father, cited in Justin Apology 2.10.6 and in Tertullian Apology 46.9, as opposed to just any Christian craftsman who has found God); Clement of Alexandria Stromata 4.5.1 = ANF 2.410 (a statement of Pythia); Epictetus Dissertation 1.28.20; 4.1.51 (as a call to philosophical inquiry). The widely quoted Plato passage makes it understandable why Matthew 7:7b was able to have a history of interpretation that was largely separate from its context ..."
* The use of references are not endorsements of their contents. Please read the entirety of the provided reference(s) to understand the author's full intentions regarding the use of these texts.
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