Matthew 7:7
New Testament
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? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you then, although you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
Date: 70-90 C.E. (based on scholarly estimates)
Source
Mishnah Sotah 9
Mishnah
Rabbinic
The mishna lists more things that ceased: From the time when Rabbi Meir died, those who relate parables ceased; from the time when ben Azzai died, the diligent ceased; from the time when ben Zoma died, the exegetists ceased; from the time when Rabbi Yehoshua died, goodness ceased from the world; from the time when Rabban Shimon ben Gamaliel died, locusts come and troubles multiplied; from the time when Rabbi Elazar ben Azarya died, the sages ceased to be wealthy; from the time when Rabbi Akiva died, the honor of the Torah ceased; from the time when Rabbi Ḥanina ben Dosa died, the men of wondrous action ceased; from the time when Rabbi Yosei the Small died, the pious were no more. And why was he called the Small? Because he was the smallest of the pious, meaning he was one of the least important of the pious men. From the time when Rabban Yoḥanan ben Zakkai died, the glory of wisdom ceased; from the time when Rabban Gamliel the Elder died, the honor of the Torah ceased, and purity and asceticism died. From the time when Rabbi Yishmael ben Pavi died, the glory of the priesthood ceased; from the time when Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi died, humility and fear of sin ceased. Rabbi Pineḥas ben Ya’ir says: From the time when the Second Temple was destroyed, the ḥaverim and free men of noble lineage were ashamed, and their heads were covered in shame, and men of action dwindled, and violent and smooth-talking men gained the upper hand, and none seek, and none ask, and none inquire of the fear of Heaven. Upon whom is there for us to rely? Only upon our Father in Heaven.
Date: 190-230 C.E. (based on scholarly estimates)
Source
Notes and References
"... In addition to the lexical parallels, the fourth petition and Matthew 7:7–11 share thematic parallels. The themes present are the affirmation of God as sovereign provider, and God’s provision as steadfast and sufficient. First, the fourth petition and Matthew 7:7–11 affirm God as the sovereign provider. One must remember the introductory preface to the Lord’s Prayer, “Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him” (Matthew 6:8). The wording of the fourth petition echoes this confidence that God is in control of all circumstances and has set aside provision before our petitions are uttered. Matthew 7:8, 11 similarly repeats this affirmation of God as sovereign provider. Verse 8 explains that God gives to those who ask. While the verse is used as a command to be persistent, it is assumed, from God’s perspective, that he has already prepared the answer. Verse 11 repeats, the giver of good things is the Father who is in heaven ..."
Ridlehoover, Charles Nathan
The Sermon's Prayer: An Examination of the Intended Purpose of the Matthean Model Prayer
(p. 240) University of Bristol, 2018
* 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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