Matthew 7:7-8 is part of the Sermon on the Mount, which is a collection of teachings by Jesus found in the Gospel of Matthew. The verses read:
*”Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.”* (Matthew 7:7-8, NKJV)
From an evangelical Christian perspective, the Gospel of Matthew is traditionally attributed to Matthew the Apostle, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus. Matthew is often described as a former tax collector who left his profession to follow Jesus. This background adds depth to the evangelical understanding of his perspective, as tax collectors were often despised and seen as sinners in first-century Jewish culture, which highlights the theme of grace and redemption prominent in the Gospel.
**Key Points Regarding Matthew:**
1. **Apostolic Authorship**: Evangelicals often affirm apostolic authorship, believing that since Matthew was a direct disciple of Jesus, he provides firsthand accounts of Jesus’ teachings and actions.
2. **Purpose of Writing**: The Gospel of Matthew is often viewed as written to a Jewish audience, emphasizing Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. This is reflected in various passages that connect Jesus’ life to Hebrew scripture.
3. **Themes and Teachings**: The Sermon on the Mount, including Matthew 7:7-8, encapsulates key ethical teachings of Jesus, which resonate strongly with evangelical beliefs about prayer, faith, and God’s willingness to respond to those who seek Him.
4. **Evangelical Interpretation**: Evangelicals tend to emphasize the comforting and encouraging nature of these verses, seeing them as an invitation to believers to approach God in prayer with confidence, trusting that He hears and responds to their desires and needs.
5. **Practical Application**: The teachings in these verses encourage personal prayer life and persistence in seeking God, which aligns with the evangelical emphasis on personal faith and relationship with God.
Overall, from an evangelical perspective, Matthew 7:7-8 serves as a foundational encouragement about the nature of God as a responsive and loving Father, inviting believers to engage in prayer and trust in His provision.