Saying 92

English

Jesus said, ‘Seek and you will find. However, the questions you asked me before, which I did not answer then, I now want to answer, but you do not seek them.’

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Interpretation

Compare Sayings 2 and 38. Jesus reassures his listeners that if they are sincere, they ‘will find’ the answers to their questions. Because most or all of the sayings which comprise dialogues between the disciples and Jesus are later additions to the book, it is likely that Saying 92 comes from the same stage of literary development. It partly reproduces Saying 94.

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Parallels

Wisdom

1.1–2 Love justice, you rulers of the earth, think of the Lord in goodness and seek him with sincerity of heart, because he is found by those who do not put him to the test, and manifests himself to those who do not distrust him.

6.12, 17–20 Wisdom is radiant and unfading, and she is easily discerned by those who love her, and is found by those who seek her. […] The beginning of wisdom is the most sincere desire for instruction, and concern for instruction is love of her, and love of her is the keeping of her laws, and giving heed to her laws is assurance of immortality, and immortality brings one near to God, so the desire for wisdom leads to a kingdom.

Matthew

7.7–8 ‘Ask, and it will be given you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who seeks finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.’

Luke

11.9–10 ‘So I say to you, ask, and it will be given you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.’