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Douay-Rheims Bible

Revelation 3:20

Behold, I stand at the gate and knock. If any man shall hear my voice and open to me the door, I will come in to him and will sup with him: and he with me.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Backsliders;   Church;   Communion;   Faith;   Fellowship;   God;   Laodicea;   Salvation;   Seekers;   Scofield Reference Index - Kingdom;   Thompson Chain Reference - Call, Divine;   Christ;   Divine;   Fellowship, Divine;   Fellowship-Estrangement;   God;   Indwelling Christ;   Invitations, Divine;   Invitations-Warnings;   Silence-Speech;   Spiritual;   Temple, Spiritual;   Universal;   Voice;   The Topic Concordance - Chastisement;   Coming;   Government;   Hearing;   Jesus Christ;   Throne;   Victory/overcoming;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Communion with God;   Houses;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Laodicea;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Hospitality;   Charles Buck Theological Dictionary - Quakers;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Knock;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Archippus;   Laodicea;   Porter;   Zacchaeus;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Ascension;   Door;   Laodicea;   Revelation, the Book of;   Second Coming, the;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Asia;   Laodicea;   Magi;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Door;   Enoch Book of;   House;   Knocking;   Laodicea;   Voice (2);   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Door;   The Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary - Sepharvaim;   Smith Bible Dictionary - Laodice'a;   Wilson's Dictionary of Bible Types - Door;   Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary - Vocation;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Colossians, Epistle to the;   Door;   Parousia;   Revelation of John:;  

Devotionals:

- Daily Light on the Daily Path - Devotion for July 2;   Every Day Light - Devotion for November 23;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
See! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.
King James Version (1611)
Behold, I stand at the doore, and knocke: if any man heare my voyce, and open the doore, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
King James Version
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
English Standard Version
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.
New American Standard Bible
'Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.
New Century Version
Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in and eat with you, and you will eat with me.
THE MESSAGE
"Look at me. I stand at the door. I knock. If you hear me call and open the door, I'll come right in and sit down to supper with you. Conquerors will sit alongside me at the head table, just as I, having conquered, took the place of honor at the side of my Father. That's my gift to the conquerors!
New American Standard Bible (1995)
'Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.
Berean Standard Bible
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him, and he with Me.
Contemporary English Version
Listen! I am standing and knocking at your door. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in and we will eat together.
Complete Jewish Bible
Here, I'm standing at the door, knocking. If someone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he will eat with me.
Darby Translation
Behold, I stand at the door and am knocking; if any one hear my voice and open the door, I will come in unto him and sup with him, and he with me.
Easy-to-Read Version
Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in and eat with you. And you will eat with me.
Geneva Bible (1587)
Behold, I stand at the doore, & knocke. If any man heare my voice & open ye doore, I wil come in vnto him, and will suppe with him, & he with me.
George Lamsa Translation
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him and will sup with him, and he with me.
Good News Translation
Listen! I stand at the door and knock; if any hear my voice and open the door, I will come into their house and eat with them, and they will eat with me.
Lexham English Bible
Behold, I stand at the door and knock! If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, indeed I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with me.
Literal Translation
Behold, I stand at the door and knock: If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will enter to him, and I will dine with him, and he with Me.
Amplified Bible
'Behold, I stand at the door [of the church] and continually knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him (restore him), and he with Me.
American Standard Version
Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
Bible in Basic English
See, I am waiting at the door and giving the sign; if my voice comes to any man's ears and he makes the door open, I will come in to him, and will take food with him and he with me.
Hebrew Names Version
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with me.
International Standard Version
Look! I am standing at the door and knocking. If anyone listens to my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he will eatwill eat">[fn] with me.Song of Solomon 5:2; Luke 12:37; John 14:23;">[xr]
Etheridge Translation
Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice, and will open the door, I will enter unto him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
Murdock Translation
Behold, I have been standing at the door, and I will knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Beholde, I stande at the doore and knocke: If any man heare my voyce, and open the doore, I wyll come in to hym, and wyll suppe with hym, and he with me.
English Revised Version
Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
World English Bible
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with me.
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him, and sup with him, and he with me.
Weymouth's New Testament
I am now standing at the door and am knocking. If any one listens to My voice and opens the door, I will go in to be with him and will feast with him, and he shall feast with Me.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Lo! Y stonde at the dore, and knocke; if ony man herith my voys, and openith the yate to me, Y shal entre to hym, and soupe with hym, and he with me.
Update Bible Version
Look, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hears my voice and opens the door, then I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
Webster's Bible Translation
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: If any man shall hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
New English Translation
Listen! I am standing at the door and knocking! If anyone hears my voice and opens the door I will come into his home and share a meal with him, and he with me.
New King James Version
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.
New Living Translation
"Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.
New Life Bible
See! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and we will eat together.
New Revised Standard
Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with me.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Lo! I am standing at the door, and knocking; if anyone shall hearken unto my voice, and open the door, I will come in unto him, and will sup with him, and, he, with, me.
Revised Standard Version
Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any one hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
Beholde I stode at the doore and knocke. Yf eny man heare my voyce and opon the dore I will come in vnto him and will suppe with him and he with me.
Young's Literal Translation
lo, I have stood at the door, and I knock; if any one may hear my voice, and may open the door, I will come in unto him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Beholde, I stonde at the doore & knocke. Yf eny man heare my voyce and vpen the dore, I wil come in vnto him and will suppe with him, & he with me.
Mace New Testament (1729)
behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, I will sup with him, and he shall afterwards be entertain'd by me.
Simplified Cowboy Version
Look at me! I stand on your porch and knock at your door. Anyone who hears me and invites me in, I will sup with them and them with me.

Contextual Overview

14 And to the angel of the church of Laodicea write: These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, who is the beginning of the creation of God: 15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot. I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 But because thou art lukewarm and neither cold nor hot, I will begin to vomit thee out of my mouth. 17 Because thou sayest: I am rich and made wealthy and have need of nothing: and knowest not that thou art wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. 18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold, fire tried, that thou mayest be made rich and mayest be clothed in white garments: and that the shame of thy nakedness may not appear. And anoint thy eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. 19 Such as I love, I rebuke and chastise. Be zealous therefore and do penance. 20 Behold, I stand at the gate and knock. If any man shall hear my voice and open to me the door, I will come in to him and will sup with him: and he with me. 21 To him that shall overcome, I will give to sit with me in my throne: as I also have overcome and am set down with my Father in his throne. 22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

I stand: Song of Solomon 5:2-4, Luke 12:36

I will: John 14:21-23

will sup: Revelation 19:9, Luke 12:37, Luke 17:8

Reciprocal: Genesis 18:8 - stood Exodus 25:29 - to cover Leviticus 3:11 - the food 2 Samuel 9:7 - eat bread 1 Kings 2:7 - eat 1 Kings 22:52 - in the way 2 Chronicles 9:4 - the sitting Psalms 95:7 - if ye Psalms 101:6 - that they Song of Solomon 1:12 - sitteth Song of Solomon 2:4 - brought Song of Solomon 2:8 - voice Song of Solomon 5:5 - rose Ezekiel 41:22 - This is Ezekiel 44:3 - to eat Matthew 8:11 - shall sit Matthew 25:7 - General Mark 14:14 - where I Mark 16:19 - and sat Luke 14:16 - bade Luke 19:5 - for Luke 22:11 - Where is John 1:39 - abode John 2:2 - both John 4:40 - he abode John 6:21 - they willingly John 6:56 - dwelleth John 10:3 - the porter John 10:16 - they shall John 10:27 - sheep John 12:2 - they made John 14:23 - make Acts 16:14 - whose Romans 2:4 - goodness Galatians 2:20 - but Ephesians 2:6 - sit Ephesians 3:17 - Christ Colossians 1:27 - Christ Hebrews 3:7 - hear James 5:9 - the Judge Revelation 13:8 - whose

Cross-References

Genesis 2:20
And Adam called all the beasts by their names, and all the fowls of the air, and all the cattle of the field: but for Adam there was not found a helper like himself.
Genesis 2:23
And Adam said: This now is bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called woman, because she was taken out of man.
Genesis 5:29
And he called his name Noe, saying: This same shall comfort us from the works and labours of our hands on the earth, which the Lord hath cursed.
Genesis 16:11
And again: Behold, said he, thou art with child, and thou shalt bring forth a son: and thou shalt call his name Ismael, because the Lord hath heard thy affliction.
Genesis 35:18
And when her soul was departing for pain, and death was now at hand, she called the name of her son Benoni, that is, the son of my pain: but his father called him Benjamin, that is, the son of the right hand.
Exodus 2:10
And she adopted him for a son, and called him Moses, saying: Because I took him out of the water.
1 Samuel 1:20
And it came to pass when the time was come about, Anna conceived and bore a son, and called his name Samuel: because she had asked him of the Lord.
Matthew 1:21
And she shall bring forth a son: and thou shalt call his name Jesus. For he shall save his people from their sins.
Matthew 1:23
Behold a virgin shall be with child, and bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
Acts 17:26
And hath made of one, all mankind, to dwell upon the whole face of the earth, determining appointed times and the limits of their habitation.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Behold, I stand at the door and knock,.... The phrase of standing at the door may be expressive of the near approach, or sudden coming of Christ to judgment, see James 5:9; and his knocking may signify the notice that will be given of it, by some of the immediate forerunners and signs of his coming; which yet will be observed but by a few, such a general sleepiness will have seized all professors of religion; and particularly may intend the midnight cry, which will, in its issue, rouse them all:

if any man hear my voice; in the appearances of things and providences in the world:

and open the door; or show a readiness for the coming of Christ, look and wait for it, and be like such that will receive him with a welcome:

I will come unto him, and sup with him, and he with me; to and among these will Christ appear when he comes in person; and these being like wise virgins, ready, having his grace in their hearts, and his righteousness upon them, he will take them at once into the marriage chamber, and shut the door upon the rest; when they shall enjoy a thousand years communion with him in person here on earth; when the Lamb on the throne will feed them with the fruit of the tree of life, and lead them to fountains of living water, and his tabernacle shall be among them.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock - Intimating that, though they had erred, the way of repentance and hope was not closed against them. He was still willing to be gracious, though their conduct had been such as to be loathsome, Revelation 3:16. To see the real force of this language, we must remember how disgusting and offensive their conduct had been to him. And yet he was willing, notwithstanding this, to receive them to his favor; nay more, he stood and pled with them that he might be received with the hospitality that would be shown to a friend or stranger. The language here is so plain that it scarcely needs explanation. It is taken from an act when we approach a dwelling, and, by a well-understood sign - knocking - announce our presence, and ask for admission. The act of knocking implies two things:

(a)That we desire admittance; and,

(b)That we recognize the right of him who dwells in the house to open the door to us or not, as he shall please.

We would not obtrude upon him; we would not force his door; and if, after we are sure that we are heard, we are not admitted, we turn quietly away. Both of these things are implied here by the language used by the Saviour when he approaches man as represented under the image of knocking at the door: that he desires to be admitted to our friendship; and that he recognizes our freedom in the matter. He does not obtrude himself upon us, nor does he employ force to find admission to the heart. If admitted, he comes and dwells with us; if rejected, he turns quietly away - perhaps to return and knock again, perhaps never to come back. The language used here, also, may be understood as applicable to all persons, and to all the methods by which the Saviour seeks to come into the heart of a sinner. It would properly refer to anything which would announce his presence: his word; his Spirit; the solemn events of his providence; the invitations of his gospel. In these and in other methods he comes to man; and the manner in which these invitations ought to be estimated would be seen by supposing that he came to us personally and solicited our friendship, and proposed to be our Redeemer. It may be added here, that this expression proves that the attempt at reconciliation begins with the Saviour. It is not that the sinner goes out to meet him, or to seek for him; it is that the Saviour presents himself at the door of the heart, as if he were desirous to enjoy the friendship of man. This is in accordance with the uniform language of the New Testament, that “God so loved the world as to give his only-begotten Son”; that “Christ came to seek and to save the lost”; that the Saviour says, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden,” etc. Salvation, in the Scriptures, is never represented as originated by man.

If any man hear my voice - Perhaps referring to a custom then prevailing, that he who knocked spake, in order to let it be known who it was. This might be demanded in the night Luke 11:5, or when there was apprehension of danger, and it may have been the custom when John wrote. The language here, in accordance with the uniform usage in the Scriptures (compare Isaiah 55:1; John 7:37; Revelation 22:17), is universal, and proves that the invitations of the gospel are made, and are to be made, not to a part only, but fully and freely to all people; for, although this originally had reference to the members of the church in Laodicea, yet the language chosen seems to have been of design so universal (ἐάν τις ean tis) as to be applicable to every human being; and anyone, of any age and in any land, would be authorized to apply this to himself, and, under the protection of this invitation, to come to the Saviour, and to plead this promise as one that fairly included himself. It may be observed further, that this also recognizes the freedom of man. It is submitted to him whether he will hear the voice of the Redeemer or not; and whether he will open the door and admit him or not. He speaks loud enough, and distinctly enough, to be heard, but he does not force the door if it is not voluntarily opened.

And open the door - As one would when a stranger or friend stood and knocked. The meaning here is simply, if anyone will admit me; that is, receive me as a friend. The act of receiving him is as voluntary on our part as it is when we rise and open the door to one who knocks. It may be added:

(1)That this is an easy thing. Nothing is more easy than to open the door when one knocks; and so everywhere in the Scriptures it is represented as an easy thing, if the heart is willing, to secure the salvation of the soul.

(2)This is a reasonable thing.

We invite him who knocks at the door to come in. We always assume, unless there is reason to suspect the contrary, that he applies for peaceful and friendly purposes. We deem it the height of rudeness to let one stand and knock long; or to let him go away with no friendly invitation to enter our dwelling. Yet how different does the sinner treat the Saviour! How long does he suffer him to knock at the door of his heart, with no invitation to enter - no act of common civility such as that with which he would greet even a stranger! And with how much coolness and indifference does he see him turn away - perhaps to come back no more, and with no desire that he ever should return!

I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me - This is an image denoting intimacy and friendship. Supper, with the ancients, was the principal social meal; and the idea here is, that between the Saviour and those who would receive him there would be the intimacy which subsists between those who sit down to a friendly meal together. In all countries and times, to eat together, to break bread together, has been the symbol of friendship, and this the Saviour promises here. The truths, then, which are taught in this verse, are:

(1)That the invitation of the gospel is made to all - “if any man hear my voice”;

(2)That the movement toward reconciliation and friendship is originated by the Saviour - “behold, I stand at the door and knock”;

(3)That there is a recognition of our own free agency in religion - “if any man will hear my voice, and open the door”;

(4)The ease of the terms of salvation, represented by “hearing his voice,” and “opening the door”; and,

(5)The blessedness of thus admitting him, arising from his friendship - “I will sup with him, and he with me.” What friend can man have who would confer so many benefits on him as the Lord Jesus Christ? Who is there that he should so gladly welcome to his bosom?



Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Revelation 3:20. Behold, I stand at the door and knock — There are many sayings of this kind among the ancient rabbins; thus in Shir Hashirim Rabba, fol. 25, 1: "God said to the Israelites, My children, open to me one door of repentance, even so wide as the eye of a needle, and I will open to you doors through which calves and horned cattle may pass."

In Sohar Levit, fol. 8, col. 32, it is said: "If a man conceal his sin, and do not open it before the holy King, although he ask mercy, yet the door of repentance shall not be opened to him. But if he open it before the holy blessed God, God spares him, and mercy prevails over wrath; and when he laments, although all the doors were shut, yet they shall be opened to him, and his prayer shall be heard."

Christ stands - waits long, at the door of the sinner's heart; he knocks - uses judgments, mercies, reproofs, exhortations, c., to induce sinners to repent and turn to him he lifts up his voice - calls loudly by his word, ministers, and Spirit.

If any man hear — If the sinner will seriously consider his state, and attend to the voice of his Lord.

And open the door — This must be his own act, receiving power for this purpose from his offended Lord, who will not break open the door; he will make no forcible entry.

I will come in to him — I will manifest myself to him, heal all his backslidings, pardon all his iniquities, and love him freely.

Will sup with him — Hold communion with him, feed him with the bread of life.

And he with me. — I will bring him at last to dwell with me in everlasting glory.


 
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