And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and Ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Luke 11:9–10

 

This typical translation is what we are used to reading in our Bibles. What we have always read and understood from these verses has most likely omitted the intended instructtion of Jesus. Shown below is a better understanding of His teaching.

 

And I say unto you, Ask, and HE shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and HE shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh HE shall be opened.  Luke 11:9–10

 

The pronoun "he" is an accurate translation used in these verses. The Greek passive verbs for given and opened are third person singular and are not marked for grammatical gender. If the person of the Holy Spirit were considered as the subject of these verbs, the pronoun "he" could accurately be used.

 

 

Unfortunately, the pronoun "it" is accurate also. The word spirit in Greek is grammatically neuter and is often referred to with a neuter pronoun. In our language, we would not associate personality with these pronouns. Although this translation is accurate, it is difficult to recognize the person of the Holy Spirit as the subject of these verbs.

 

 

A careful study of Luke 11:9–13 demonstrates the Holy Spirit to be the subject of Luke 11:9–10. In verse 9, Jesus instructs His disciples to ask. He says asking results in being given to. He informs them what to ask for in verse 13. The Holy Spirit is given to them that ask. Jesus was clearly referring to the Holy Spirit.

 

If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? Luke 11:13

 

When we consider the Holy Spirit as the subject of Luke 11:9–10, we truly find words of life giving revelation. Jesus tells us to ask for the Holy Spirit. He tells us to seek the Holy Spirit. He tells us to knock and the Holy Spirit will be opened to us. What is within the Holy Spirit? Romans 14:17 tells us the kingdom of God is within Him.

 

 

The actual meaning of Luke 11:9–10 is one of the greatest truths we will ever acquire from the Bible. Jesus tells us how to receive from God. His directive for receiving is asking for and seeking the Holy Spirit. When we are close enough to touch Him, then we may knock. Knocking requires contact. We cannot knock if we are far away from Him. We must come into His presence. 

 

 

The Holy Spirit reveals Himself only to those who desire Him. This is why we must ask for Him. If we do not desire His person, He will not overrule our desires. Our God of love allows us to make the choice of desiring Him or not. If we do desire Him, we will receive Him. If we seek Him, we will find Him. If we gently knock, His kingdom opens to blessings in all things.