Saying 94

English

Jesus said, ‘Whoever seeks will find. Whoever knocks, it will be opened for him.’

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Interpretation

Out of the handful of sayings which mention ‘seeking’, this one is the most likely to belong to the earliest form of the book, due to both its simplicity, its parallels in the synoptic gospels, and its summarization of an existing Judean wisdom idea.

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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.’