New International VersionHere I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they 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.
English Standard VersionBehold, 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.
Berean Standard BibleBehold, 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.
Berean Literal BibleBehold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone should hear My voice and open the door, then I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.
King James BibleBehold, 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.
New King James VersionBehold, 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 American Standard BibleBehold, 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.
NASB 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.
NASB 1977‘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.
Legacy Standard BibleBehold, 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.
Amplified BibleBehold, 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.
Christian Standard BibleSee! 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.
Holman Christian Standard BibleListen! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and have dinner with him, and he with Me.
American Standard VersionBehold, 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.
Contemporary English VersionListen! 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.
English Revised VersionBehold, 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.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationLook, I'm standing at the door and knocking. If anyone listens to my voice and opens the door, I'll come in and we'll eat together.
Good News TranslationListen! 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.
International Standard VersionLook! 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 eat with me.
NET BibleListen! 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 Heart English BibleLook, 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.
Webster's Bible TranslationBehold, 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.
Weymouth New TestamentI 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. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleBehold, 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.
World English BibleBehold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, then I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with me. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionbehold, I have stood at the door, and I knock; if anyone may hear My voice, and may open the door, I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with Me.
Berean Literal BibleBehold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone should hear My voice and open the door, then I will come in to him and will dine 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.
Smith's Literal TranslationBehold, I stand before the door, and knock: and if any hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleBehold, 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.
Catholic Public Domain VersionBehold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone will hear my voice and will open the door to me, I will enter to him, and I will dine with him, and he with me.
New American Bible“ ‘ “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, [then] I will enter his house and dine with him, and he with me.
New Revised Standard VersionListen! 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. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleBehold, 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.
Aramaic Bible in Plain English“Behold, I stand at the door and I shall knock. If a man listens to my voice and will open the door, I also shall come in and I shall have supper with him, and he with me.” NT Translations Anderson New TestamentBehold, I stand at the door and knock; if any one hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
Godbey New Testament
Behold, I stand at the door, and am knocking: 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.
Haweis New Testament
Lo! I stand at the door, and knock: if any person hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and I will sup with him, and he with me.
Mace New Testament
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.
Weymouth 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.
Worrell New Testament
"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock; if anyone hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.
Worsley New Testament
Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if anyone hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context To the Church in Laodicea… 19Those I love, I rebuke and discipline. Therefore be earnest and repent. 20Behold,I standatthedoorandknock.IfanyonehearsMyvoiceandopensthedoor,I will come inanddinewithhim,andhewithMe.21To the one who overcomes, I will grant the right to sit with Me on My throne, just as I overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.…
Cross References John 14:23Jesus replied, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word. My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.
Matthew 7:7-8Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. / For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
Luke 12:36Then you will be like servants waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks, they can open the door for him at once.
John 10:3The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen for his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
James 5:9Do not complain about one another, brothers, so that you will not be judged. Look, the Judge is standing at the door!
Song of Solomon 5:2I sleep, but my heart is awake. A sound! My beloved is knocking: “Open to me, my sister, my darling, my dove, my flawless one. My head is drenched with dew, my hair with the dampness of the night.”
John 1:12But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God—
Matthew 24:33So also, when you see all these things, you will know that He is near, right at the door.
Luke 13:25After the master of the house gets up and shuts the door, you will stand outside knocking and saying, ‘Lord, open the door for us.’ But he will reply, ‘I do not know where you are from.’
John 15:4Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself unless it remains in the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me.
Ephesians 3:17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. Then you, being rooted and grounded in love,
Genesis 18:1-5Then the LORD appeared to Abraham by the Oaks of Mamre in the heat of the day, while he was sitting at the entrance of his tent. / And Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he ran from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground. / “My lord,” said Abraham, “if I have found favor in your sight, please do not pass your servant by. ...
Genesis 19:1-3Now the two angels arrived at Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gateway of the city. When Lot saw them, he got up to meet them, bowed facedown, / and said, “My lords, please turn aside into the house of your servant; wash your feet and spend the night. Then you can rise early and go on your way.” “No,” they answered, “we will spend the night in the square.” / But Lot insisted so strongly that they followed him into his house. He prepared a feast for them and baked unleavened bread, and they ate.
Exodus 25:8And they are to make a sanctuary for Me, so that I may dwell among them.
Leviticus 26:12I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be My people.
Treasury of Scripture 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. I stand. Song of Solomon 5:2-4 I sleep, but my heart waketh:it is the voice of my beloved that knocketh,saying, Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled: for my head is filled with dew,and my locks with the drops of the night… Luke 12:36 And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. I will. John 14:21-23 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him… will sup. Revelation 19:9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessedare they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God. Luke 12:37 Blessedare those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. Luke 17:8 And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink? Jump to Previous DineDoorEarsFeastHearHearsKnockKnockingListensMakesOpenOpensSignStandStandingStoodSupVoiceWaitingJump to Next DineDoorEarsFeastHearHearsKnockKnockingListensMakesOpenOpensSignStandStandingStoodSupVoiceWaitingRevelation 3 1.The angel of the church of Sardis is reproved and exhorted to repent.3 7.The angel of the church of Philadelphia is approved for his diligence and patience;14.the angel of Laodicea rebuked for being neither hot nor cold.20.Christ stands at the door and knocks.Behold, I stand at the door and knock.This phrase presents an image of Jesus standing outside a door, symbolizing His approach to individuals and the church. The act of knocking indicates a desire for entry and relationship, emphasizing Jesus' initiative in seeking fellowship. In biblical times, a knock at the door was a common way to announce one's presence, and it required a response from within. This imagery is reminiscent of the Song of Solomon 5:2, where the beloved knocks, seeking entry. The door can be seen as the heart of the individual or the collective heart of the church, particularly the Laodicean church addressed in Revelation 3. The urgency and persistence of the knock suggest a call to repentance and readiness. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door,
This phrase highlights the necessity of a personal response to Jesus' call. Hearing His voice implies recognition and understanding of His message, which is consistent with the theme of spiritual awareness found throughout the New Testament. The act of opening the door signifies an act of will and acceptance, a decision to allow Jesus into one's life. This echoesJohn 10:3, where the sheep hear the shepherd's voice and follow him. The invitation is universal ("anyone"), indicating that salvation and fellowship with Christ are available to all who respond. I will come in and dine with him,
Dining together in the ancient Near East was a sign of intimate fellowship and acceptance. Meals were not just about sustenance but were social and relational events. Jesus' promise to dine with the one who opens the door signifies a deep, personal relationship. This is reminiscent of the Last Supper, where Jesus shared a meal with His disciples, symbolizing communion and covenant. The act of dining together also points to the eschatological banquet, the marriage supper of the Lamb, as described inRevelation 19:9, where believers will enjoy eternal fellowship with Christ. and he with Me.
This final phrase emphasizes mutual fellowship and communion. The reciprocal nature of the relationship is highlighted, suggesting that the believer not only receives Christ but also shares in His presence and life. This mutual indwelling is a theme found inJohn 15:4, where Jesus speaks of abiding in Him and He in them. It underscores the transformative nature of the relationship, where the believer is invited into a shared life with Christ, marked by ongoing fellowship and spiritual growth. Persons / Places / Events 1. Jesus ChristThe speaker in this verse, representing the divine presence seeking fellowship with believers. 2. The Church of LaodiceaThe immediate audience of this message, known for its lukewarm faith, as described earlier in Revelation 3. 3. The DoorSymbolic of the heart or life of an individual, representing the barrier that must be opened to allow Christ's presence. 4. The Act of KnockingRepresents Christ's persistent invitation and desire for a relationship with individuals. 5. The MealSymbolizes intimate fellowship and communion with Christ, reflecting the cultural significance of shared meals in biblical times. Teaching Points Christ's InitiativeJesus takes the first step in seeking a relationship with us, demonstrating His love and desire for fellowship. Personal ResponsibilityWhile Christ knocks, it is up to each individual to respond by opening the door of their heart. Intimacy with ChristThe promise of dining together signifies a deep, personal relationship that goes beyond mere acquaintance. Continuous InvitationChrist's knocking is persistent, indicating that His invitation is ongoing and available to all who will listen. Transformation Through FellowshipInviting Christ into our lives leads to transformation and spiritual growth as we commune with Him. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Revelation 3:20?
2.How can we "hear His voice" in our daily lives today?
3.What does "open the door" symbolize in Revelation 3:20?
4.How does Revelation 3:20 connect with John 10:9 about Jesus as the door?
5.In what ways can we "dine with Him" in our spiritual practices?
6.How does Revelation 3:20 encourage personal relationship with Jesus in modern times?
7.What does Revelation 3:20 reveal about Jesus' relationship with believers?
8.How does Revelation 3:20 illustrate the concept of free will in accepting faith?
9.Why is the imagery of "knocking" significant in Revelation 3:20?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Revelation 3?
11.If Jesus “knocks” at the door in Revelation 3:20, does that conflict with the idea of humanity needing divine intervention rather than personal initiative?
12.What is the meaning of Revelation 3:20?
13.Is Christianity a religion or a personal relationship?
14.What role does free will have in accepting Jesus?What Does Revelation 3:20 Mean Behold- A divine “pay attention.” Jesus interrupts the noise of Laodicea’s self-sufficiency to command focus, just as John the Baptist cried, “Behold, the Lamb of God” (John 1:29). - Scripture often uses “behold” when God is about to reveal something urgent (Isaiah 7:14;Revelation 21:5). Here it stresses that Christ’s appeal is not casual but eternally significant.
I stand at the door- The Lord is already present, not far off.James 5:9 reminds believers, “the Judge is standing at the door,” underscoring both nearness and accountability. - Picture a homeowner discovering an unexpected Guest outside—Christ waits patiently yet firmly at the threshold of the human heart and the local church (cf.Luke 12:36).
And knock- Jesus initiates contact; He does not force entry. Song of Songs 5:2 offers a tender parallel: “My beloved was knocking.” - His knock implies repeated, loving persistence (cf.Matthew 23:37), but it also sets a time limit—doors do not stay un-knocked forever (Luke 13:25).
If anyone hears My voice- The invitation reaches the individual amid a whole congregation. “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them” (John 10:27). - Hearing is more than auditory; it is responsive faith (Romans 10:17).Hebrews 3:7 warns, “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.”
And opens the door- The latch is on our side; God honors the dignity He gave us.John 1:12 links opening with receiving: “To all who did receive Him…He gave the right to become children of God.” - Christ will not co-opt lukewarm lives; He waits for yielded wills (Matthew 7:7-8).
I will come in- A personal, assured entrance.John 14:23 promises, “We will come to him and make Our home with him.” - The verb is relational, not merely observational—He becomes the abiding Guest who transforms the house (Ephesians 3:17).
And dine with him- Table fellowship conveys acceptance, covenant, and joy (Luke 22:30). In ancient culture eating together sealed friendship; with Christ it signals restored intimacy. -Isaiah 25:6 pictures the ultimate messianic banquet, a foretaste believers enjoy now in communion and daily fellowship (Psalm 23:5).
And he with Me- Mutuality completes the promise. Salvation is not a one-sided visit but shared life (Colossians 3:3-4). - Jesus longs for believers to experience His presence as fully as He experiences theirs (John 17:24).
summaryRevelation 3:20 portrays the risen Christ actively seeking fellowship with those who have drifted into complacency. He stands close, knocks repeatedly, speaks clearly, and waits for an opened heart. The moment we respond, He enters, shares an intimate meal, and establishes enduring communion. The verse calls every believer and church to decisive, personal receptivity, turning lukewarm religion into living relationship. Verse 20. - Behold, I stand at the door, and knock; behold, I have stood ( ἕστηκα) at the door, and am knocking ( κρούω). "These gracious words declare the long-suffering of Christ, as he waits for the conversion of sinners ( 1 Peter 3:20); and not alone the long-suffering which waits, but the love which seeks to bring that conversion about, which ' knocks.' He at whose door we ought to stand, for he is the Door ( John 10:7), who, as such, has bidden us to knock ( Matthew 7:7; Luke 11:9), is content that the whole relation between him and us should be reversed, and instead of our standing at his door, condescends himself to stand at ours" (Trench). The view, that stand at the door signifies "to come quickly" (Dusterdieck), as in Revelation 2:5, 16; Revelation 3:3, 11, is scarcely in accordance with the context, since the whole passage has changed from rebuke and menace to patient beseeching and loving exhortation. These words recall the frequent use by our Lord of this figure of knocking, and especially Luke 12:35, 36, "Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; and ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately." 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 (see the parallel passage in Song of Solomon 5.). Christ knocks and speaks. A distinction has been drawn in the work of conversion, corresponding to these two actions. The knocking is likened to the more outward calls of sickness, trouble, etc., by which he makes his presence known; while the voice, which interprets the knock and informs us of the Personality of him who knocks, is the voice of the Holy Spirit, speaking to us, and explaining the meaning of our trials. Man's free will is here well and plainly set forth. Though the opening, to be effective, needs the help and presence of Christ, yet he does not forcibly effect an entrance; it is still within the power of man to disregard the knock, to refuse to hear the voice, to keep the door fast shut. To take food with any one is an outward sign of brotherly love and reconciliation. Christ will sup with those who do not drive him away, and they will sup with him. The whole figure is an image of the perfect nature of the sinner's reconciliation with God, and of the wonderful goodness and condescension of Christ. But we may well see an allusion to the Holy Communion, by which we are reconciled to God through Christ, and by which we may even now have a foretaste of the final supper of the Lamb, which shall eventually last for ever.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek Behold,Ἰδοὺ(Idou)Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 2400:See! Lo! Behold! Look! Second person singular imperative middle voice of eido; used as imperative lo!I standἕστηκα(hestēka)Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 2476:A prolonged form of a primary stao stah'-o; to stand, used in various applications.atἐπὶ(epi)Preposition
Strong's 1909:On, to, against, on the basis of, at.theτὴν(tēn)Article - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.doorθύραν(thyran)Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2374:(a) a door, (b) met: an opportunity. Apparently a primary word; a portal or entrance.andκαὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.knock.κρούω(krouō)Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 2925:To knock, beat a door with a stick, to gain admittance. Apparently a primary verb; to rap.Ifἐάν(ean)Conjunction
Strong's 1437:If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.anyoneτις(tis)Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5100:Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.hearsἀκούσῃ(akousē)Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 191:To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear.Myμου(mou)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473:I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.voiceφωνῆς(phōnēs)Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 5456:Probably akin to phaino through the idea of disclosure; a tone; by implication, an address, saying or language.andκαὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.opensἀνοίξῃ(anoixē)Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 455:To open. From ana and oigo; to open up.theτὴν(tēn)Article - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.door,θύραν(thyran)Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2374:(a) a door, (b) met: an opportunity. Apparently a primary word; a portal or entrance.I will come inεἰσελεύσομαι(eiseleusomai)Verb - Future Indicative Middle - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1525:To go in, come in, enter. From eis and erchomai; to enter.andκαὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.dineδειπνήσω(deipnēsō)Verb - Future Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1172:To dine, sup, eat. From deipnon; to dine, i.e. Take the principle meal.withμετ’(met’)Preposition
Strong's 3326:(a) gen: with, in company with, (b) acc: (1) behind, beyond, after, of place, (2) after, of time, with nouns, neut. of adjectives.him,αὐτοῦ(autou)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846:He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.andκαὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.heαὐτὸς(autos)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846:He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.withμετ’(met’)Preposition
Strong's 3326:(a) gen: with, in company with, (b) acc: (1) behind, beyond, after, of place, (2) after, of time, with nouns, neut. of adjectives.Me.ἐμοῦ(emou)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473:I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.
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NT Prophecy: Revelation 3:20 Behold I stand at the door (Rev. Re Apocalypse) |
